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Show T'HE SEARCHLIGHT Maw Leadership Perils (Continued from preceding page) fears were voiced that they might develop into Siamese twins. The friendship became notorious. Backman represented about everything in politieal and economic prine:ples that the Democratic Party professed to abhor. individual protests flooded the Governor’s office. Every important local labor union expressed its indignation and disapproval. Democratic Party officials looked on with vexation and alarm. They refused to accept Gus as ceputy leader of the party. The Searchlight took up the fight and, almost single-handed, drove the political romance underground—where it remains today. But the alliance still stands. Gus P. Backman and the Invisible Government have not been thrown overboard. Neither have they forsaken the Ship of State. Their influence has completely sup- planted for that of yourself rank and if you doubt file Democrats. (Try it). So the question arises, can the Democratic Party tolerate an alliance between its party leader and Gus P. Backman? Can the party accept the overshadowing power of an Invisible Government and the Chamber of Commerce in State affairs? Can the Democratic Party continue to accept the leadership of a inan who openly allies himself with Backman and executives dominated of great Utah OTHER corporations that have for years? POLICIES AND EPISODES Lhe adoption of a cheap low-wage, lowsalary policy by the Maw administration has made the State the leading skin-flint employer in this region. His Excellency seems bent on trying to impoverish every emplovee who fails to resign. The labor turnover is appalling. Efficiency is at a low ebb. Officials and employees have a feeling of frustration. Work lags in almost every department. An attempt has been made to shunt the responsibility for low wages onto the Finance Commission. But, while that Commission may have similar, or even identical views about wages, the responsibility rests solely with Herbert B. Maw. wage policy. He determines or can determine His Exeellency’s entourage is packed with political hitch-hikers and over-paid bums. Tt is doubtful if one of them could win recogntion on his own merits. Their accomplishments are limited to drawing their pay-checks, playing slot-machines, acting as stool pigeons for His Eixcelleney, emulating bar-flies, and loafing around lunch counters. (Names on request.) ence on the State payroll helps extra cost of reorganization Their pres- to explain the government. During his campaign, the Governor assured Utah sportsmen that they would have full consideration, and would be consulted in the formulation of policies and in the selection of per- sonnel in the Fish and Game Department. But after election the sportsmen were forgotten. The department was converted into a ward heelers’ hangout. The situation became so deplorable that Mark Anderson, one of the State’s ablest administrators, and a life-long: conservationist rector The and sportsman, resigned of the department. Governor’s policy followed as di- the usual pattern—one slight after another. His preelection promises and assurances were found to be worthless. Above all, the department sportsmen looked upon with affection and pride was converted into a haven for politicians. scandal in the handling of hunting permits. It was currently reported that ‘‘doe permits’’ in the best territory were available only to huntters approved by the ruling clique—and sometimes under questionable conditions. His Excelleney’s offer of a Supreme Court justiceship to Senator Ira A. Huggins, made the day after the runoff election, when it was known that Mr. Huggins would be a highly influential senator, betrays the functioning of the gubernatorial mind. The appointment was to become effective after the close of the legislative session. Senator Huggins very properly declined to place himself under obligations to the Governor. He refused the offer. The Senator had no desire (Continued on following page) |