The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-01-21
PLATFORM DEMOCRATS AT HEL-
ENA SHOW EVIDENCES OF
UNITED OPPOSITION.
PROMISES ARE NOTHING
Agents of the Body Sinister Evnce
Every Indication Of Ignoring and
Repudiatins Pledges Made at State
nvention-Whitesid Is One Busy
Little Senator.
(Stafr Correspondence

Helena. Jan. 2o.--At the very outset of
the week there is in evidence a defl-
mite focusing of strength by the plat
form democrats. Out numbered In
both branches as they are within their
own party, they arc nevertheless un-
dismaNcd by the strength of the reac-
tionarieS, who arc eXcrtinE themselves
along lines that will amount to repu-
diation of the promises upon which
Governor Stewart and his democratic
administration were elected last fail
The latter have been making strenll-
Gus efforts to break up the alignment
made by the platformtcs at the outset
of the session, but SO far their success
has not been particularly noticeable
Thcy are persistent workers, these re-
dictionary agents of big business. and
are seldom so much discouraged as to
give up before they are decisiVely
beaten. What they will be able to
! accomplish in winning over to devious
ways their opponents remains to be
seen, Of course but ono thing NAV
| safely be predicted: A substantial
majority of the members who started
! out to stand by the spirit of the re-
forms promised by tho democratic
state platform will be found at the end
of the session fighting as firmly and
as Courageously for the right as they
are now doing
This fine element in the democratic
ranks has come to realize that It's
strength Will be frittercd away if there
is not prompt organization of its
members into a compact, working
body. but even with such an organ
izatton the platformitos will be help
less save where they can effect Il rally
ing Of all the fair minded men in the
assembly. To bring about "a coalition
of the reform forces WILL therefore, be
the FIRST effort Of the platform mem
bcrs. To effect this the strength OF
the militant bunch of about 30 pro-
grcssiVc members Of the house ana tho
three in the senate will be needed
That it can be had upon the sole basis
of square deal to the people of the
state is well known If that fact is
used by the platform democrats upon
which to build the coalition it's crc-
alton into a powerful force for good
government is assured.
Carey Land Act.
The Carey land board investigation
matter Will come up in the house
Tuesday for final determination wheth-
cr the latter body is to Join the senate
in the proposed probe. 1t will. there
fore, be pertinent to refer to what was
done by a similar committee of the leg
iSlnture two years ago.
The Twelfth assembly appointed an
Investigating COMMITTEES, headed by
Senator Whitesidc. In its unanimous
report to the legislature the commit
tee said. touching the Carey land
board administrations
Your committee has held almost
daily sessions since Il was appointed
on January 8, and has examined n
large number of witnesses from Vari-
Gus sections Of the state. From the
evidence secured we believe that many
Of the projects have been delayed by
the fact that the parties with whom
the state has made contracts for the
tn,,.