Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-04
BROEN|NG-R|TCH|E
SPEAK At LA PLATA
Governor Attacks Republican
Charges on Road Construc-
tion-Many Attend Fair.
ey a stan Correspondent of The Star.

by a stan Correspondent OF The Star.
LA PLATA, Md, October 4.-Politics
played the leading role against the
background of the annual Charles
County Fair here yesterday, with the
Democratic and Republican candidates
for Governor delivering the principal
addresses
Mayor william F. Broening, Repub-
lican gubernatorial candidate, spoke at
the fair grounds, but delivered nom
political speech. Gov. Ritchie's address,
delivered at night, dealt principally
with the alleged Misrepresentation"
of the Republican platform, and was
essentially the same as an address
made by him at Leonardtown in the
afternoon.
Greeted by one of the largest crowds
that has attended the fair, Mayor
Broening congratulated the people OF
Charles County for producing such
high-class agricultural exhibits in spite
Of the prolonged drought.
Should Devote Time to People.
David A. Robb, Republican candidate
for attorney general, declared every
public official should now be devoting
I1lS IlIuC w lllC AAt~AOSV Va ILL.,
people especially those suffering from
conditions produced by the drought.
In addition to Mr.. Robb. Mayor
Broening's party consisted of w. New
ton jackson, candidate for controller;
DR.. Charles S. Warner. candidate for
the clerk of the Court of Appeals, and
his son, William F. Broening, jr.
The party was met at La Plata by
Thomas B. r. Mudd. chairman of the
Charlae Co,,Y,fv Pnyo1thljrao State Gem
trail Committee. and party leaders OF
the county, including S. S. Lancaster.
James P. Ryan and Joseph A. Wilmer.
The local candidates for Office joined
the group at the fair grounds.
Inaugurating his formal campaign
tour, Gov. Ritchie announced that he
had embarked on a plan of taking
by plank, and Analysing it in his
speeches.
He specifically denied in his speeches
yesterday and last night that State
highways in Maryland have been built
for political expediency, and challenged
Mayor Broening to specify exactly
what roads were not required for the
convenience of the people served by
them"
The Republican plank which drew
the fire of Gov. Richie in his opening
addresses, was that which charged the
present administration with spending
more money this year than was spent
10 years ago.
"Of course, it costs more to run the
State government now than it did 10
years ago. 1t costs more for every in
dividual to live now than it did 10 years
ago, and the same is true with the
government, not only in Maryland but
in every other State. In Maryland the
real answer is perfectly obvious. We
are doing more now to meet the needs
of the people and to serve their welfare
and interests than was ever done in
this State before.
THE Republicans have absolutely no
right to talk along this line unless they
can do 1t constructively. If they think
that government costs are too high,
then it is up to them to give bill of
particulars as to how they would reduce
it. It Is up to them to show what State
service now being rendered ought to be
cut out. 1t Is up to them to show what
activity they would stop or cut down
If they had the opportunity"
Cites Highway Figures.
Turning his attention to the States
road issues the Governor said that in
1920 there had been constructed about
$500 miles of State roads and said that
that the State had built approximately
% per cent of the total road mileage
of Maryland and that only one State
in the whole country exceeds that
He also stated that more than 95
per cent of the population Of the State
lives within two miles or less of an
improved State road.
There is no doubt" he said, that
all this has cost money, and if the
Republicans think this money has not
been properly spent, then let them give
bill Of particulars and point out just
what highway work should have been
omitted. They charge that roads have
been built for political expediency and
In exchange for political favors
II deny this unequivocally, and If
1t is any more than political propa-
ganda, then let the Republicans specify
exactly what roads were not required
for the convenience of the people served
by them, but were built for political
reasons or because of political influences
Approximately 600 persons attended
the Leonardtown meeting, which was
held in midafternoon. This attendance
surprised the candidates. Another fea-
ture of the meeting was that State Sen
ator j. Alan Coad, one Of the principal
hackers of the Mcintosh boom, presided
and praised Gov. Richie.