Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-02-28
OF
INVESTIGATOR
James A. Carley, Present InsugatOr Of
Senate Investigation, Once Delved
Into G. o. p. Mystery.
BY HENRY G. TEIGAN

state offices has thus far developed
only smoke. To date no proof of mis-
conduct on the part of Farmer-LabOr
public officials has been shown.
That the investigation was inspired
by political motives is only too OBJ
vious Senator James A.. Carley, who
introduced the resolution calling for
the investigation, is experienced as a
political investigator and in most in
stances it has been shown that he had
politics in mind when he started the
fireworks"
An Absurd Tale.
The other day Carley brought a
witness named Donald Clark before
the committee. Mr.. Clark stated that
he represented stone quarry COM
pany owned in the main by his family
at ST. Cloud. He related how he had
been asked to contribute $4,000 to the
Farmer-Labor campaign fund by Carl
R. Erickson, states purchasing COM
missioner, back in December, 1881.
The story is SO absurd as to be
ridiculous in view of the fact that
the contract had already been award
ed at the time Mr.. Clark stated that
he had his conversation with Mr..
Erickson. Moreover, Erickson had
nothing to do with the construction
of the state office building, and, be-
sides, the contract was one with
which the state office building COM
mission had nothing to do, since the
contract for the construction of the
building had previously been let to
Walter Magee ST. Paul contractor.
Both Erickson and Magee deny ever
having had any conversation with
Donald Clark relating to campaign
contributions.
Carley Investigated G. o. p.
Since the Old Guard senators of tine
Republican variety have seen fit to
talk about campaign expenditures it
would be interesting to take slant
back at the methods employed by the
G. O. p. in the past.
In 1923 Senator Carley introduced
a resolution in the senate calling for
an investigation of the Republicans.
Carley wanted to know how much
money the Republicans had spent i'll
the campaign of 1920 to bring about
the defeat of DR.. Henrik Shipstead,
Nonpartisan League candidate for
governor that year.
Carley succeeded in putting his res
olution through the senate but was
somewhat handicapped by the person
mel of the committee, the chairman of
which was none other than Claude II.
Mackenzie of Gaylord, present Repub-
lican National Committeeman.
Republicans spent S5OO,OOO.
1t developed during the investiga-
tion that the Republicans had raised
approximately 100000. This money
was raised and spent under the au-
spices of several pseudo-organization
the principal one of which was en-
titled Sound Government Associa-
ton" All plunderbund organizations
in the state including the large banks
and the steel trust came through with
substantial contributions.
Mr.. Carley's report will be found in
| the Journal of the senate for the SEES
sion of 1923.
Big Biz Got Returns.
The Fat Boys" got their return;
from their heavy contributions. The
Brooks-Coleman Street Railway Act
was passed in 1921. The street cal
company was successful in securing {
| franchise in the Twin Cities and Ou-
luth for an indefinite period without
having to consult the people in the
cities about it. Besides, the com
pany was permitted to increase
its fare The Steel Trust alsC
came out on tip by securing the
enactment of law limiting the pei
capita tax in municipalities in the
Range country. This was done to off
set the enactment of the Occupations
Tax law. which measure was enacted
because of the pressure of the Non
partisan League.
And while investigations seem t.
] be the order of the day. it would b