Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 105, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 April 1920 — FACTS ABOUT W. T. M’CRAY [ARTICLE]

FACTS ABOUT W. T. M’CRAY

A CORRECTION OF MISSTATEMENTS MADE IN RECENT NEWSPAPER ARTICLES. , A (Newton County Enterprise). Some statements were made in the Sunday issue of the Chicago Herald-Examiner concerning Warren T. McCray that need correction. Mr. McCray has made a clean campaign for the nomination for Governor of Indiana. He has not uttered a charge against his oppojients, and does not intend to, prefering to win or lose on his own merits, and feels that charges made against him at this late hour will operate to his good. So far in the campaign Mr. McCray has made no attempt to defend himself against personal charges made against him, and much less will he make, or permit to be made, a defense here' at home where he has lived all his life, and where his neighbors are familiar with his every act and deed. . But some statements were made in the" article in question that facts and the records will not bear outs Concerning the bonds purchased by the Discount and*Deposit State Bank, of which Mr. McCray is president, the bank books show that in June, 1917, the bank purchased bonds to the value of *34,000. In May, 1918, the bank owned *62,000 worth of bonds; and at the present time and for a long time past they have owned *61,000 worth. The public statements of the bank show these facts. Regarding Mr. McCray’s personal holding of bonds, he has $32,000, and other companies in which he is president or vicepresident, *86,000, making a total of *179,000.00. x Concerning the certificate of indebtedness bought by the bank during, the war, their books .show that on July 2, 1918, the bank bought *10,000; July 16, 1918, *12,000; August 12, 1918, *14,000; Oct. 8, 1918, *19,500; Dec. 10, 1918, *lO,500; Dec. 27, 1918, *10,500; Jan. 7, 1919, *15,000; Jan. 15, 1919, *11,000; Feb. 1, 1919, *12,000; March 19, 1919, *29,000; April 18, 1919, *10,500; May 8,1919, *lO,500; making a total of *164,500. Their books are open for inspection on -these figures. ' . Regarding his taxes on pure bred cattle, Mr. McCray’s Herefords were, assessed at double meat prices, and higher than any other herd of cattle in the state, and *IOO per head higher thap any other pure

bred cattle in this county. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that name, reputation, good will or pedigree can not be assessed; and these factors removed, the value of the cattle is fixed at what they would sell for as beef. If they bring higher prices by reason of breeding, and are sold by Mr. McCray at auction, for a large sum, this money then becomes taxable, and by reason of this fact thousands of dollars have been brought into, this county from other states that would not have been brought here in any other wayConcerning the statements made in the article referred to and purporting to quote Messers Charles Roe, T. H. Dixon and A. J. Reames in reference to an advertisement appearing in the papers of Indiana recently sustaining Mr. McCray’s character, are not according to facts and would seem to have been published for the purpose of discrediting the signed statement of the citizens of Kentland. Mr. Roe denies stating that he knows nothing about the advertisement, and brands the interview as absolutely false. Mr. Roe is a staunch friend and supporter of Mr. McCray, and is doing, everything in his power to aid his ddndidacy. His word is above reproach, and no one here would question his honesty and truthfulness. He openly says that he did know all about the advertisement appearing over the signatures of the citizens of Kentland, and that he personally circulated one of the papers for .signatures. Mr. Reames was quoted as saying that he did not sign the paper. Mr- Reames flatly denies this, and openly asserts that he did sign h» name, that the paper was presented to him by Mr. Roe, and that he knew its contents. Mr. Dixon was in his office at the telephone exchange when the Herald-Examiner correspondent called to send a message, and did have some conversation with him in order to show common politeness to a patron, but states that the manner in .which he was quoted was put in such a way as to be misleading, and did not express his sentiments in the matter. * These gentlemen; who were brought into the controversy, have issued the following public statement: , ‘ - Kentland, Indiana, April 27, I*2o To whom it may concern:— Regarding the statement made in the Chicago Herald-Examiner on Sunday, April 25th, wherein the undersigned were quoted as saying । certain things concerning an adivertisement appearing by the citizens of Kentland regarding the character and standing as a citizen of Warren McCray and being the parties mentioned in the Her-ald-Examiner article, we desire to state that the article is untrue and ■ ■ ■' • . ‘> -31 k ' • ' • -

misleading. We did sign the advertisement, knew its contents, and did and do now, endorse' and reaffirm its statements. x For verification of these facts you are at liberty to telephone either of the undersigned, or any citizen named in the advertisement. Yours very truly, A. J. REAMES, T- H. DIXON, ' C. W. ROE. And. to show how Mr. McCray is regarded by the people of Indiana a sthe end of the campaign approaches we print below an editorial appearing in the Lafayette Journal Tuesday, under the heading “Proud of McCray.’’ After discussing the presidential situation, and referring to the gubernatorial contest, the Journal says: As regards the governorship there are reasons for believing that conviction rather than apathy is responsible for the lack of enthusiasm that is popularly associated with a campaign of so much importance; in all probability the decision was reached many months ago and the votes are only awaiting the day when they may go to the polls and make their wishes known. While other candidates have hopes and friends and are making an active bid for support, the impression has long prevailed that no really serious challenge would endanger the prospects of Warren T. McCray, and therefore there was nothing to become excited about. Mr. McCray’s admirers have not challenged their opinion and while they do not underestimate the virtues and the strength of opposing candidates, nevertheless they find no cause for uneasiness as to the outcome. Mr. McCray is assured the support of the Tenth congressional district which has always shown its loyalty to its own citizens who were candidates for state office, if the individual was worthy and entitled to support. In this instance there is no doubt on that score. Mr. McCray’s fitness for the position he seeks is unquestionable and nowhere is that fact more clearly recognized than in the Tenth congressional district where the people are in a position to judge the merits and capability of a man who has spent his entire life among them- . The Tenth district is proud of Warfen T. McCray and it takes pride in offering him as a candidate for the highest office in the state, because it knows he will bring to the position the same fine' discernment and sound logic that has characterized his conduct of his private affairs and because by training, inclination and experience he is qualified to interpret the desires and satisfy the needs of the public as a whole. Mr. McCray is not unknown to Indianaians, a few men have a wider acquaintance, and where he is known he is esteemed and commands confidence. Small wonder, then, that the Tenth congressional district takes sincere pride in tuning the claims of a man of Ae type of Warren T. McCray, and is backing him to the limit.