The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-09-19
STATES ROAD
BOARD TO BE
BALLOT ISSUE
Republican Senator's De-
mand for Probe and
Changes Stirs Storm.
BY BEN STERN

Investigation and reorganization
of the state highway commission
doomed today as one of the major
issues of the campaign as a result
of the declaration of State Senator
Charles l.. Strey, Republican. of
Wabash, that he will demand a
close audit of the commissions
books and abolition of the commits
sion in its present form.
Republican leaders for some time
have heard the rumbles of diScon-
tent among the rank and file with
the highway commission.
Heavy expenditures for road con-
struction and maintenance which
have forced commission members to
seek the transfer of funds to the
departments credit has left open a
weak spot for attack.
Democrats Are Wary
An attack on the highway COM
mission at the present time by the
Democratic organization. however,
may prove to be a tWo-edged sword.
Indiana is preponderantly a Re-
publican state, the records reveal.
The Democrats only win when
normally Republican voters desire to
register their protest against condi-
tons by electing officials of the OPP
posing party. i.
This is the condition existing In
the state today, as Democrats see it.
A strong attack on the Republican
party from the President down the
whole list of Office holders, however,
would arose the ire of the hard
shell Republicans who would thus be
forced back into line.
But if the policy outlined by r.
Earl Peters and his advisers is ad-
hered to, the Democrats will be con-
tent with sniping tactics.
Both parties are paying close at
tention to organization work. For
many years Democratic leaders have
been content merely to charge this
and that" as one important figure
has put it.
Enthusiasm Prevails
But now, not only will the
charges be made, but precinct,
ward and county committeeman are
being instructed as to how to turn
out the vote and get the known
Democrats to the polls.
With the prospect of state and
county victories in the offing, the
Democratic workers have been
whipped up to a high pitch OF en-
thusiaSm.
Republican jobholders in the ma
jority of the counties are on the de-
fensive. A defeat means the loss
of thousands of jobs and the Or
ganization is out to retain its own
bread and butter.
Another factor to bring Republic
ans back into line is the hue ano
cry that has been raised that if the
Democrats control the lower house
of the legislature a deadlock j. re-
apportionment will ensue 4licf
may result in the gerry andel
working out to the disadvantage OF
the Republicans.
Similar meetings will be held over
the state in an effort to fog on the
candidates.
Awake to Advantage
The Democrats are also awaken
ing to the advantage of the reappor-
tionment situation as an incentive
and a meeting Of all of the candi-
dates for the legislature has been
called for next Thursday afternoon
at the Claypool.
Congressional candidates on the
Democratic ticket have been asked
to attend a conference at Martins
vile Tuesday noon when the three
Democratic representatives in con-
gress will speak. They are: Arthur
Greenwood, Second district; Harry
Garfield, Fourth district, and Louis
Ludlow, Seventh district.