The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-04-23
VANNUYS MAY ASK
STATE WPA PROBE.
HE DECLARES HERE.
Relief Work Used to Gain
Delegates, Senator Says
He Has Been Told.
PLEDGES M'KINNEY AID
Intends to Do All He Can
for Candidate for
Governor.
BY JAMES DOSS

A threat 10 push a Senate
investigation of the Works
Progress Administration in
Indiana, if he substantiates
reports that WPA is being
used as a political club in the
Democratic race for Cover
nor, was made here today by
Senator Frederick VanNuys.
The senior Senator, on his return
from Washington, said he had a
three-point program for his four
day visit here. Aside from investi-
eating alleged abuses in WPA, he
intends to do "all he can" for the
gubernatorial candidacy of E. Kirk
Mckinney. He will also confer on
ways to expedite Public Works Ad-
miniStration in the state.
Senator VanNuys said he had re-
ceived scores of complaints in Wash
ington that the Indiana WPA was
being used to obtain delegat e
pledges for Governor from certain
counties.
Some Complaints From County
These complaints come mostly
from the larger centers of the
state" Senator VanNuys said. How
ever, I've received few from Marion
County.
The complaints are pretty much
the same and have to do with the
alleged appointments of precinct
committeeman as WPA superin-
tendents and other key employees on
the promise of certain number of
Governor delegates from this or
that county.
This sort of thing, if it is hap
pening, has got to stop, and 1 think
/ can stop it. I'll take it on the
Senate floor il necessary, and ask
for an investigation.
The Senator said he has received
go or 30 Of these complaints" from
ST. Joseph County and others from
Vigo and Lake.
Backing Two for Judge
Senator VanNuys refused to COM
ment on the reported availability of
his colleague, Senator Sherman
Minton. for one of the vacancies on
the Chicago Circuit Court of APP
peals.
He revealed, however, that he had
recommended two men for the two
existing vacancies. They are Mayor
John w. Kern, and Guy Colerick,
Fort Wayne attorney.
"One of those appointments is due
Indiana politically and I'm going to
try to get it" he said. We've never
had Democrat from Indiana on
that bench"
Senator VanNuys said he re-
garded the nomination of Mr.. Nc
Kinney as Governor as certain IF
We have a free and untrammeled
state convention in June" He said
he had no second choice for the
nomination.
Predicts Party Harmony
Zone thing is sure" he added,
"Ill tear my shirt for the nomi-
nee, whoever he is"
Asked if he thought Pleas E..
Greenlee's charges-that "McHale-
ISM is running the Democratic Party
in Indiana-would jeopardize the
party chances in the fall election,
Senator VanNuys said he doubted
it,"
There's a good breathing spell
between the convention and the
election" he said, land there will
be chance for any bitterness to
disappear"
Asked about recent statement
by Gov. McNutt that Indiana is
not in the doghouse as far as Wash
ington is concerned, and this will
be demonstrated shortly" Senator
VanNuys said:
I'm sure there isn't any resent
ment in Washington by the Presi-
dent or Jim Farley Democratic ma
tional chairman against Indiana.
Wants Recognition for State
However, I've complained against
the lack of recognition Indiana has
received. We have no Cabinet Of
ficer, for instance, and we haven't
received recognition through an APP
pointment as head of some impor-
tant department"
Senator VanNuys was asked if he
thought there was any chance that
he and r. Earl Peters. Federal
Housing Administration director for
Indiana, would join political forces
in the race for Governor.
Il haven't talked with him for
some time" he replied, "put I ex-
pect to see him while I'm here"
He added that Mr. Peters FILA di-
rection in Indiana had received high
praise in Washington.
Senator VanNuys said he expected
adjournment of Congress early in
June" depending on the amount of
tax and relief debate.