The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-12-16
By G. B. WOLLAN.

unanimous tone of regret pervades the
comments made by the press of the
state regarding the ousting of Charley
Babcock as highway commissioner at
the hands of Gov. Olson, yet there is
marked absence of that kind of politi
cal bitterness that was wont to hail
such a change in the good old days
when politics was he-man's game and
not pink tea.
AS general rule the press comments
even by dyed-in-th Republican
editors, are but mildly condemnatory
of the custer There are kind words
galore for Mr.. Babcock, mingled with
hopes and best wishes that his successor
may be worthy of the governors con-
fidence in him and that he may carry
on" successfully from where the veteran
road builder leaves off.
There are some questionings, nat
urally, as to the possible effect that the
Babcock dismissal may have on Gov
Olsonis own political future and for
tunes, but 1t might as well be admitted
now as later that the public memory
is short-lived. If Bill Elsberg, Mime
apolis city engineer, who succeeds
Babcock on Jan. l, makes good on the
job-and there is no apparent reason
why he should not-the episode will be
all but forgotten two years hence.
At any rate, it must be presumed that
the governor considered this angle along
with more immediate and practical
phases, when he determined to make
the change and that he had an eye to
the political reactions most likely to
follow. It isn't often one hears of the
governor being called dumb Dora"
you know.
And isn't it easily conceivable that if
conditions had been reversed and that
a Republican governor had been re-
elected by tremendous plurality and
found a Farmer Laborite as head of
the highway department for % years,
that he might have done just exactly
what Gov. Olson has now done? The
Spoils system hasn't been eradicated
from American politics as yet-not if
one is to believe the half of the stories
coming out of Washington these days
in connection with the coming change
of national administration.
Anyway, Charley Babcock has made
name for himself as one of Americas
most efficient and successful highway
builders. Nobody can take that away
from him-not even John Regain Bah
cock retires with honors, with "summa
cum laude," as it were, and with the
best wishes of host of friends.
His successor hasn't an easy row to
hoe, but knowing Bill Elsberg pretty
well personally and with some know
ledge of his past achievements, have
no hesitancy in predicting for him
successful administration of the high
way department-that is, if he is per-
mitted the same kind of free rein that
has been accorded to Mr.. Babcock.
In this connection I can't help but
be reminded of typographical error
that crept into story in the Mime
apolis Journal one day last week.
If remember correctly the story was
one carrying the governors announce
ment of the appointment of Elsberg as
Babcock's successor. In the course of
the article it stated:
Gov. Olson said he intends to give
Mr.. Elsberg free rein in running the
highway department"
OF course, the reporter quoted the
governor correctly, but the compositor
for some reason or other Cor for none
at alb put an extra 81" in the word
running" which makes quite a change
in meaning.
The only danger that I can see of
running" the department will be if Bill
Elsberg is not given free rein. If
hampered too much by political exigen-
cies, there's no vouching for what may
happen.
AS city engineer of Minneapolis, Mr..
Elsberg has been receiving a salary of
81, 500 year-and it's a so-called civil
service job, one that doesn't require
contributions to campaign funds Of any
candidate or party.
The salary of state highway commits
sioner Is 5000 year.
When Gov Olson announced the ap-
pointment of MIR. Elsberg to succeed
Mr.. Babcock, the governor was quoted
as saying that he would ask the legiS-
lature to raise the highway commits
sioner salary to $500 year, so that
Mr.. Elsberg would not have to suffer
a reduction of income by accepting the
new job.
Considerable comment might be made
but I'll confine my personal comment to
this: the governor may ask or even
urge the legislature 10 make the in
crease, but it's my guess that it won't
be made. Back Of this guess is, of
course, the demand Of everybody (al-
most) for reduction of state expendi-
lures.
| If you think I'm wrong, just ask
your own members of the legislature If
they'll vote to add 81 500 to a $4,000
salary and at the same time vote
slashes in state appropriations that
must necessarily mean that $150-a-
month employees win have to take a
cut.
Consistency is jewel-that is except
in politics. Nuf sed.
For more than week now there
hasn't been a statement issued from
either camp in the war for control of
the legislature.
| Both liberals and conservatives are
standing pat, each still claiming enough
votes to control, but there are Straws
indicating that neither side is any too
sure of its ground. The fight probably
won't be settled until it comes to a
showdown on the opening day of the