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FAUK 8JA r L I IIM" HHIII 11 II I" J 1 III. Ill II I IIII I % III I I????W?^1 UGHTSEY TELLS GUN JOHNSTON TO GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS' * To Editor Camdfcti Chronicle: Inclosed find a letter that 1 urn sending the Honorable dim Johnston, candidate for governor. You will please note its contents and I will appreciate it very much if you will publish this letter exactly as it is written. The daily papers have seen tit to give a bit of space to this candidate's remarks about the highway department, ami as a member of that commission 1 feel that it is only fair that you accord me the same pnvilege that you have accorded this candidate for governor, Thanking you in advance for the t publication of this article in your paper, I beg to remain, W. FKHD MGHTSEY, State Highway Commissioner, | Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Miley, August 15. Honorable Olin D. Johnston, Candidate for Governor, , p -ftyartanburg, s, C. Dear Mr. .Johnston.; I received your letter reading as follows: "Hon. \S'. F. Lightsey, Crocketville, S. C. Dear Friend: Having served in the legislature with you I am inviting you to hear my platform when candidates for governor speak in Hampton July 4. I should like to call your attention to a few outstanding facts in my \ campaign. My entire political career as my record will bear me out, has been given to what I consider the most important of all issues, namely,! that of giving back to the people of the state the right to govern them- ' selves. The man that pays the bill ( should dictate the policies. South Carolina has been ruled by depart- j ments and rings for too long. I shall fight as long as I have life for the right? of my people. The highway department in particular has attempted to lead the -tate'around hyf>a halter. More money passes through tins departriie'nt thap-: all other department* iii tr.c -date, and yet, we all know that we do rv>' get 'he true \ ii io of our iiioju y My motto ir. all *a'? g 11 v < ; r;'?i.' f i' 'ha' tie- pub'e n: i-t g-' a d-.la:'- woi'h of *< ' i- .for t \ i : dollar- -pent. 1 a r i k. i n g y1 . : >?j \ j * o . ,? a ' . 1 a in. You fr. .-..j, u. ii 1 >. John -ton." I * a . 1 r o; a1-d you- l.-tter 1>C?? "' < at* a i ? . ', i a a ' i to ]ean w.'.a" you wo.iP; -a\ at ' :. llaiup'o.n a* l o" .< : j i. - < ' : g i;. \ our canipaigrt; - I All 1 A O.J, : : .1 . ;. it.! : r11 youi i ll . .<i. ei i.a.g : h?- highway department and voluntarily cori e< t what I regard as a glaring misstatement of fact in your letter; and, third, I am averse to engaging in a i i-ntrovei >y. politic.ii or otherw ise. 1 have no quart ei w ith you over the compliment* you .-* genert u.-ly pay yourself. 1 am fully aware that many candidates "recommend themselves highl>" and give - ant crodi. to the merit-, or even the integrity of other- who -tar.d. >? whom tiny thir.k - * a r t :, in the way of the * a t <. i faction of their political ambitions. What I do object,*to in your letter are the statements: (a) "The hitchway department in particular has attempted to lead the s'ate around by a halter;" and <b) "More money ; passes through thus depart merit than all other departments in the state, and yet, we all know that we do not get the true value of our money." | You simply make bald assertions in your letter and cite no facts to sustain your charges, and, as far as 1 I have been able to learn from news; paper reports of campaign meetings you have cited none from the stump. You, of course, hre too experienced ; not to know that "evil report" travels fast, however unfounded it may be, I and that the ill efTeeUs of such can best be corrected by the author thereof when he is man enough to admit the error and make correction thereof. Certainly, if you have the proof of your charges you should "stand by your guns," but only in the event you produce facts rightfully sustaining your charges, remembering that the use of epithets can never supply the place of proof. You say in your letter, "The highway department in particular has attempted to lead the state around by a halter," thereby implying that all departments of the state government have been trying to lead the state around by a halter. Your letter would also imply that you regard the state as a wild, wall-eyed, bucking broncho, which no department has yet been able to put a halter on, and that you are asking for the job of bronchobuxtor. Someone in the crowd may yell, "Ride her, cowboy," but remember it is said, "Pride goeth before a faill." If your assertion, that th^ highway department has been trying to halter lead the state*, is based on the fact that you have not heretofore agreed to certain matters of policy in the department, then-you are coming dangerously near to admitting that you are peeved because you have not Inert able to do the leading that you complain others have been trying to do. 1 >ovs not that bring you to the ic\ itable conclusion that, if you had | beep. ii. charge of and shaping thej / ! y of <: vp:i: t .0 c: . some other andviatv of \otr view- would now i bi ra-ging you with trying to halter lead the state? * | (if cour-c, you know a loo>e charge f 'r;a' -o'? t . o ;! i. and likely would bv -naic mo-: ar.y time by a zealou" r" w o w a'i-d ".n" again-: ar.y ' rvi ai- i otTi i.11 - who ,-tond in the i way of hi- succ'es-. Don't, fool your- -It", if you gvt in you will be talked .about, too, unless you join the ranks ( of "d<>-r.othings." If "we ull know that we do not get the true value of our money" in the i highway department, it wpuld be an jea-y matter to furnish proof of the fact. The truth of the matter is, "we j ai." d<> not agree with you; and I j for one demand the proof. I have been on the commission for seven years and know nothing of the gross mi-management or misapplication of the department's funds implied or in ainuated in your letter. Not only those connected with the department, in whatever capacities, but the people of the state are entitled to your proof; and it ia not fair 01 right for you to continue your charges without producing it. Every person connected with the department is entitled to protect his good name from your imputations and insinuations. Their reputations are as dear to them, their friends and I loved ones as youra ia to you, your friends and loved ones. So I invite you to come out in the open with your proof, if any you have, and give those whom you would characterize as wrongdoers thereby an opportunity to defend themselves. Generalities will not do. In this connection it seems a contradiction for you to be reflecting on the entire department, of wjiwdr 1 am one of the responsible heads, and at the same time be referring to me as your friend and to yourself as my friend and asking my support of your candidacy (or governor. As stated above, the wording of your letter implies mismanagement or waste of the departments funds. What are the facts? The main items of expense of the department are: administration, damage ^laims, maintenance of roads, and payment of principal and interest on valid debts of the department. There are other smaller items, but the ones enumerated represent approximately 99 per cent of all expenses, exclusive, of road construction out of funds derived from bond issues, reimbursement agreements, and federal aid of whatsoever kind. I am pleased to state to you that the records of the department show that the cost of administration was 54 per cent less in 1933 than in 1929 and the costs of maintenance 45 per cent less. These are the main items over which the highway commission and other responsible officials of the department can exercise control. Damage claims amounted to about $40,000 more in 1933 than they did in 1929. but this was due to legislative acts making the department liable for damages in cases where no liability existed in 1929. As to payments of principal and interest on obligations of the department, they are, as you well know, fixed by law and cannot be varied by the commission except in instar. es unere the department is able to retrnance outstanding obligations at a lowe r rate of interest. You. r.o doubt, are u!.-o well awa e that the major portion of the hi-:.'.- ; way department'- obligations is mu :e up In icbtednes^jfransferred to the i* par-men* from counties and road di-tiicts. The total of principal and interest paid on account of these obligation.-. was $(),108,030.<>4 in 1933. If the department had not met the payment thereof the bondholders would have had recourse to a property tax for the settlement of their claims, under the laws of the state. Surely, you would not favor a property tax to settle highway obligations. Since, it is obvious that economies effected by the department must be reflected in the two major item- of expense?administration and maintenance?I will be more specific in regard^to them. In the years 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933, the total sums expended for administration and maintenance were, respectively, $343,105.57, I $51S,010.08. $999,512.29. and $1,139,.">s:j..",,s less than the amounts expended for the same purposes in 1929. To l-tate the proposition differently, in the four years mentioned, there was a total saving of $3,Imh.i,,?71..V2 ir. the i \p? r.-es of i;,t department. Thi- may rue. mean mucn to y-cj. hut I h--:> stly \ - ' moan- .. ! >: * " ?tor \ !? ii: . : a tor- a : tax pa;. of <o . ' ? a- 1 .:.a. I i.r.ow i; ir.- ans -o !?!> . 11 g : a - . the h:g - .w ay n:mi--iur who ha.o een .a * g. : ' 'a m?-a-'cl a.a of a \ I a!, to a 1 : :. - :o'< t av : mair.t.cr. a -y>ten. of ads in w nor lno pub.ao r.a- an ir st- j m?-nt approximately $3 "'i.mwpOOO or more. I trunk the u.-pa-tnvr.: ha- .. e a go<ni job, but I am pert'iit.y w.ving, over, anv.ou- for it to do :-i tier. Therefore, it w.-uid be ir.te: g to kr.ow how you w .uld nave ? ? vith th? benefit of "r.nd--:ghtt bet i '\ w i*h.cut ;mp.ig t rie eff ncy of the organization, allowing r- a to defaulting in th- aynu-nt . f t di'p ir* men: s ehliga* ns. As 1 -, ? it. the highway emm ons race, in trie !a< e of oo-ta i?** and if: -' u k : -he - : of r y a* : g ' n a go > : a of I thom-elve- under -ir<. um- tanci-- -ore I v a* ; .:.ff:v u 1 * ' r an a* v hin m;. i ' o!le< :; of .-nu' -e. w a* vOU would have dor.e with the rranagenient of t he -a-part mer. t ur the I siii'ir . > urns*nr. *r-. bad y . ' in r.iige ma- of. a :na*'er < ' ec'ure. You can easily say you would have done better, but 1 will never believe it until you produce facts to back up your statement. Turning to another phase of the department'* activities. I am pleased to say that South Carolina has as fine a ^stem of highways as .s to be found in the South, barring none. You have used these roads enough to fully appreciate the truth of this statement. It would be hard to calculate just how much the state system of highways has saved you in travel expenses in its construction. According to a compilation of figures made to Ia>ujs A. Searson, ('. P. A. of Columbia, who was employed by the state to audit the highway department of February 24, 1?*?*4, it appears that South Carolina has more improved highways per square milej and per unit of population than anyi of the state of North Carolina, i Georgia, Florida, Alabama, l^ousiana, Mississippi or Tennessee. It further appears that the cost per mile of construction is decidedly lower than the average of the seven states mentioned and materially lesa than any one of them. Does not this too contradict your statement that "we all know we do 'not get the true value of our money"? For how much less per mile would you have constructed the hard surface system of this state, if you. had been in charge of the department? And how much would it have been neces1 sary to oppress labor to accomplish the reduction in coat? I^abor is a major item in highway construction and maintenance. It is a well known fact in South Carolina that road construction is let to contract on the basis of free and open competitive bidding. It ought to be some satisfaction to you and to all good people of the state that n<^ person has yet come forward with proof of any collusion, fraud or graft in the letting of contracts. The fact that a number of contractors "went broke" while constructing highways in this state and their bondsmen were compelled to take over and complete the jobs L3 pretty clear proof that .there has been no corrupt or fraud in letting contracts. The highway dei partment bas a right to be proud of this record. I would not judge you too harshly, even if you are hard on the highway department. I know we are all prone to error and that candidates, in the heat of political battles, may exag[ gerate, especially when the one guilty of the lapse senses that it will popularize him in the eyes of the voters. However, I do not think it right or! fair to those who have been connected with the highway department or to the people of the state for you to reflect generally on the personnel of the department without producing concrete evidence of your charges. I hope that?"you will, on reflection, either produce proof of your charges or cadidly admit you have none. It takes a man to admit a mistake, but any man can persist in error. Personally, I cannot rest under your imputation of wrong-doing, even if you do address me and sign yourself as friend, and I demand that you either withdraw your charges of wrong-doing or produce cogent evidence thereof. We have had enough of generalities. Let's get down to "ibrass tacks." Yours very truly, W. F. LIGHTSEY, State Highway Commissioner, Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. Senators Glass and Byrd have invited President Roosevelt to attend the state American Legion convention to be held at Lynchburg on September 3rd. Stanley Meeker, menagerie employe of the Ringling circus, died in Detroit, the sixth victitn since an epidemic of typhoid fever broke out among circus employes. I I Three men were killed and a saw I mill was wrecked at Trottville, N. C., | Tuesday when cold water was turned into a boiler when the water inside [was too low. j Twelve Louisville, Ky., children , tried to remove what they believed was a bone in a dog's throat. Now they are under the Pasteur treatment. The dog had rabies. Two special constables are keeping a 24-hour per day guard over the famous Dionne quintuplets at Gallani der, Ontario. The quintuplets are now 81) days old. The late William S. Vare, political boss of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania who died recently, left an estat* oI between eleven and twenty million dollars. His widow and two daughters share the estate. Four policemep of Vienna wtrt handed on' an improvised galloti Mdnday for alleged participation in the recent assassination of Chancellor Dollfuss. They were executed juit three hours after their conviction. The cotton textile comn^tee of the United Textile WorVers of Americn are asking for a change in the textile code, so as to provide for two week i shifts of 30 hours each and a wag* I scale of $13 to $30 a week. Paul Poiret, once dictator of women's fashions in Paris, is now living on a 70-cents-a-day dole given to the unemployed. He still hopes to stage a comeback to his former prominency in the world of fashion. n, A group of farmers at Oaruthersville, Mo., severely beat a lawyer who was there to sell farms for a committee of drainage district bondholders. Then a dozen farmers bid in their property at the public tax sale not attended by the farmer. Bervel Colson, of Elizabeth City, N. is held by federal officers at Norfolk, Ya., on charges of violation of the "Lindbergh law" in that on August $ he kidnaped Janice Walton, 7. daughter of Mr-, and Mrs. C. D. WaJton of Norfolk. Colson is being held under a $25,000 bond. . VOTE FOR J.E.HARLEY Of ttarmvell, For LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR | The Leading Candidate (1K VN, \ 14LK AM) CO I K.\(.K()l S. sr\M)s K)l< KCONOM) IN >1 \ 11 (l?) \ Kit\Mt ST lla.i the support of the people of his section of the ?t ?tr ? v : re he i.? best Known ? hating b een endorsed by the l)emo?;..uc C onst nitons of \ik? n, Barnwell Bamberg. Aliendale. Mainp'on and Jasper Counties. ?Political Adv. I of Sumter County Candidate for Governor I i I Tax Reform and Law Enforcement Heair Manning Speak Over | Radio From: ! j Station WBT, Charlotte | | 8:00 to 8:15 P. M? Monday I August 27th, 1934 TOM PEARCE FAVORSII FARMERS' MARKETS j Tom Pearce, Candidate for Governor, favors more and better markets for perishable farm produce. He realizes that there can be no real prosperity unless the farmer gets a profitable price for what he raises. j He is advocating a system of market sheds and canneries, properly located at various points in the ! State. His idea is to secure cooperation of the United j States Government in establishing these in South Carolina. When he was in the Senate for Richland County he introduced a Bill that was passed by the General Assembly making the Curb Market at Columbia posIsible. As is generally known, the streets of Columbia belong to the State and it was necessary that an Act be passed allowing the use of these streets for the establishment of this Market. TOM PEARCE WAS THE AUTHOR OF THIS BILL When Honorable R. J. Blalock was Mayor of Columbia and Tom Pearce was Senator from Richland r ni in t v f K i s artinn u/n? ta If nn The Bill was presented January 31, 1919, and provided for the turning over to the City that portion of Assembly Street, between Hampton and Senate Streets, for municipal purposes. It was favorably reported by the Judiciary Committee February 6, 1919. Reached final reding in the Upper House February 1m 1919. The House passed the measure February 21, 1919, and it was ratified February 28, 1919. The Governor approved this Act March 29, 1919. Part of Section 1 of the Act reads: "Be it enacted by the General Asembly of the State of South Carolina, That the City of Columbia be, and they^aTe hereby, granted the right to erect in the center of Assembly Street, at such point or points as they may deem advisable between Hampton and Senate Streets in said city, a MUNICIPAL MARKET, a city hall, and such other public buildings as are necessary for the corporate purposes." '] REMEMBER, TOM PEARCE INTRODUCED THIS BILL! jj Application is now pending at Washington for approval by the National Pub- j lie Works Administration asking%for approximately $42,000 for the construction of I an overhead shed at the Columbia "curb" market tp protect the farmers from the |j elements. This application came before the State Public Works Advisory Board j, while Mr. Pearce was its Chairman and the Board unanimously approved it. i! The fact of the matter is Tom Pearce believes every encouragement and pi"?' I tection should be given the South Carolina farmer, especially the small farmer ancl I tenant farmer, in the marketing of his produce. | THAT IS THE RECORD?WIN WITH TOM PEARCE! vote for TQM PEARCE for governor] , FOR GOVERNOR I TOM PEARCE I