(2 of 2)
"Double a Democrat." Strife within Kansas Republican ranks, boiling long before the hospital fuss, spilled over. Governor Edward F. Arn, a member of the G.O.P. faction that includes Roberts and U.S. Senator Frank Carlson, testified that he found nothing wrong with the transaction. He said that Reporter McCoy "stirred up and distorted the whole thing" because of a grudge against Roberts. Three other witnesses said they had heard McCoy say he was going to "get" Roberts.
McCoy, who wields considerable political influence of his own in Kansas, came forward to testify that he had merely reported the facts. Lieutenant Governor Fred Hall, who leads the G.O.P. faction that bitterly opposes Carlson, Arn and Roberts, mused to reporters that in contrast to Democratic five-percenters, Roberts had turned out to be a ten-percenter. Said he: "Perhaps Wes Roberts had to show he could double a Democrat ... His conduct in this transaction was, at the very least, morally outrageous." Aging (65) Alf Landon, a member of the Hall group, charged that Roberts had "made a raid on the public treasury . . . which stinks to high heaven."
Before the week was out, Kansas Attorney General Harold R. Fatzer filed suit for the state to recover the $110,000 paid for the building. A.O.U.W. officials promptly said they were confident that the courts would establish their right to sell the building..
This week the legislature's investigating committee is to turn in its report. Even if the committee exonerates Wes Roberts, the highest powers of the Republican Party are sure to consider the case. As some others before Roberts have learned, a national political chairman of this era must have a record which avoids the appearance of evil.