Alfalfa Bill Murray
William Henry "Alfalfa Bill" Murray was Oklahoma Governor from 1931-35. He was elected Governor with a record majority of 100,000 votes. He called out the national guard 27 times and declared martial law 34 times. He was called Alfalfa Bill because of his support of the new idea of planting alfalfa and other legumes to restore nitrogen to the soil.
Major Events and Legislation:
* Created Tax Commission to increase tax revenues by speeding collections.
* Increased Motor Fuel Taxes.
* Increased Coporate Income Taxes.
* Reorganized the Highway Commission.
* Created Department of Waterways, Power, and Flood Control to deal with Dust Bowl.
* Opposed the New Deal.
* Called out the National Guard against Texas in the "Toll Bridge War," July, 1931, to reopen an Oklahoma-constructed free bridge across the Red River which had been closed by the Texas governor.
* Used National Guard to enforce segregation and to collect tickets at University of Oklahoma football games.