The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-02-02
TWISTING THINGS ABOUT


much use to try to give out informa-
ton that comes from public officials as
facts. Other people-and other news
papers-twist about what has been
said and try to argue on other points
that have not been said and are en-
tirely beside the question. ...
Then the other people-and other
newspapers-make a charge of mis-
representation on things that never
even were said in the first place. It's
all very slick game and to see
through it, one must do his own think
ing.
For instance, two weeks ago we
pointed out that some information ap-
pearing in The Democrat about the
meeting of the taxpayers committee
and the County Commissioners didn't
coincide with what the Commissioners
had stated. We didn't argue whether
what the Commissioners had said was
sound, or whether or not they could do
what they pleased. We stated the Com
missioners had said certain things.
In regard to paying for road ma
chinery we stated that the Commits
sioners had definitely stated at the
meeting how they expected to pay for
it-with back taxes and the credit on
machinery from WPA. We added
statement at that time saying that
whether or not the Commissioners
could do what they pointed out, was
beside the question. At least they
had SO stated, and we were reporting
facts as they were disclosed.
Last Thursday the Democrat made
the statement that we were misrep-
resenting, because there were no back
taxes and that machinery could not be
paid for with credits. We didn't say
they could. We merely stated what the
Commissioners had said they could do,
and in reporting the same matter the
Democrat stated the Commissioners
had not been clear on how they eX-
pected to pay for the machinery.
In the matter of WPA credits, THE
COMMISSIONERS EXPLAIN it this
way: The Commissioners must pay 20
percent of WPA road projects. In
other words, if a project cost 100000
the county would have to provide $780,
900. If the WPA allows them credit
on machinery used during the project
costing 100000, then it stands to
reason that they wouldn't have to pay
money to the WPA but could apply the
$4,000 on anything they desired, pur
chase of machinery, etc. WPA is pre-
pared to allow the Commissioners over
500 per day for use of machinery pur-
chased. Working 200 days year
would make $4,000 credit, and that
much that the Commissioners wouldn't
have to put up in cash.
Whether this works out or not, we
are not prepared to say. The Commits
sioners think it will.
The entire front page editorial Of
the Democrat is in the same vein. Be-
cause the Commissioners say the ma
chinery will speed up WPA work on
roads the Democrat attempts to point
out that it is Strange indeed that The
Republican would be in favor of any
thing the WPA had any connection
with. Many times in the past they
have been very critical Of the WPA
and all of its works and we wonder
why this sudden face about" Wv ?
Their "ghost writer" certainly left
himself and the Democrat wide open
on this question, with their attempted
Wisecrack. ,E''
Even with microscopic specs and the
giant telescope now in process Of COM
pletion one could not find in the col
umns of The Republican where we had
suffered "face about" on being, crit
ical of the WPA.
The Republican has always been
critical Of WPA spending and all Fed
eral Government relief spending. We
have always been critical of the WPA
loafers and those in charge will admit
that there are plenty of them on the
rolls, Notwithstanding the fact that
thehre are some real workers.
The building of better roads in the
county only indirectly brings in the
WPA. We do favor better roads, and
since there are over 700 men available