The Coolidge examiner., 1942-08-28

49, -@N
PHOENIX, Aug. 2s - With the
primary only 10 days away. Jones.
ior-Goyernor lieutenants are conf
dent the former chief executive
VIII carry Maricopa county by a
substantial margin.
For a time the states most pop
uious county appeared 10 be a
battle ground I'm which anything
could happen. But. with a swift
ness which surprised veteran cam
paign workers. the shift TO Jones
occurred almost overnight
The definite trend is due in
large measure. according TO most
observers, TO Gov. Csborn's pro-
pOsal 10 impose political control
over the farmer-owner and opera
ted electric power facilities OF the
salt River Valley Water Users
Association. the most successful
reclamation project in the nation.
The farm group has a member
ship of more than $4,000 share
holders who obtain cheap water as
a result OF revenues from power
sales. They generate and sell 81
per cent of all electric power con-
sumed in Arizona.
Gov Osborn. recognizing too
late he has antagonized Maricopa's
potent farm bloc. sought to ap
pease the Water Users member
4. Ia n
letter. written ostensibly to Lin
Il. Orme. association president, 10
the press. The letter. according
10 farm leaders. only served TO re
mind them OF the names Mr.. Os-
born was calling their association
a short time ago when he was so
ardently advocating a water and
power authority.
For some time previous 10 the
sudden shift TO Jones. the former
executives supporters had merely
been hoping that the 20-year rec
ord OF no incumbent governor
carrying Maricopa county would
hold good this year. Now. how
ever. with the farmer vote defin-
itelv anti-Osborn and the Water
Users officials supporting Jones.
the situation In Maricopa county
looks mighty bright for the Jones
candidacy.
The spirited contest for the
Democratic nomination for state
tax commissioner, which puzzled
political observers for some time.
appears 10 be taking definite form
as Warren Peterson, incumbent,
forges To the front
Commissioner Peterson's long ex-
perience in tax matters and public
service apparently outweigh the
glamorous appeal of his opponent
who mushroomed into the political
picture two years ago.
Peterson, a farmer. cattle grow
er and substantial taxpayer In
Arizona for more than 40 years.
served I2 years as a Maricopa
county supervisor. was twice cleo
ted president OF the Arizona Su-
peryisors Association and Is now
serving his fourth year as a state
tax commisionre. He also Is
charter member OF the Arizona
Cattle Growers Association and
served two terms as president OF
that organization
Mr.. Peterson's experience and
qualifications seemingly are fact
ors which are being weighed by
voters TO give him an increasing
edge in the contest which in its
early stages appeared to be a
doubtful race.
No little confusion appears TO
have developed over Endorsements
given congressional candidates by
labor leaders and groups.
Some time ago. William Green.
president, American Federation OF
Labor. indorsed Rep. John r. Muir
dock. Then. the so-called "de
Tense committee" of the Arizona
State Federation of Labor. ignor-
ing President Green's Endorsement,
issued two of its own, one for
REM L. Jennings. Phoenix lawyer
and former state legislator, the
other for Alfred Shackelford. Tue
son labor organizer.
Meanwhile. Sen. William Coxon.
Pinal county. took the play from
labor leaders by advising them he
didn't want their endorsement as
long as certain "racketeering prac-
tices" were exorting money from
those seeking employment on de-
fense jobs.
Remaining aloof from this con-
troversial issue and campaigning
entirely on his record in public
service is Wilson T. Wright, corp
Grafton commissioner. who ap-
pears to have elevated himself in
TO the very top flight OF the large
flock of candidates seeking the
two Democratic congressional
nominations.
The Osborn campaign strategy,
already disclosed. is to launch an
attack on Bob Jones, State admin
istration scouts, after surveying
the field. have reached the con-
clusion that Jones is the man who
must be stopped If the Osborn
machine is TO capture all state de-
partments and be transformed in
To political juggernaught.