The weekly soliphone., 1915-04-09
GOVERNOR HAYS MAKES
 CONFLICTING STATEMENTS
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 >.,,ooo~~~~~>>>~~-~ ~ were in the office Senator Harry Harris came and called him out and upon the return of the chief executive. he bad stated that he was in more trouble, for Senator Harris would not accept the secre- taryship of the racing commission, as discussed with those present at former meeting, demanding a commissionship instead. The wit ness stated that he had informed the governor to appoint him, leaving off one of the others. Gov. Hays, ac- cording to the witness. then assert ed that Senator Harris had threat ened to "tear him all to pieces on his appointments which were up for confirmation, if he declined to do as he requested.
 George R Bedding, the next wit ness, started with the visit of a committee from Hot Springs to Gov. Hays to get him to recommend in his message to the legislature an appropriation for the state fair, tut this was withdrawn and the racing bill prepared as substitute because of the financial condition of the state. MT. Beldlng stated that at no time had he the slight est intimation that the governor would veto the bill if it was pass ed. though he had fears that the bill would meet with defeat in one branch of the legislature. The Wit ness further testified that he was called out of bed by Judge A. J.. Walls, Sheriff w. G. Hutton, Amos Jarmon and B. J. Cunningham, politician of Helena, on the night before the Ruff and election bills were to be considered, and inform ed that if his friends did not kill one and pass the other, that the racing bill would be vetoed.H He asked if it would not be satisfactory to have the election bill referred to a committee and allowed to die there, after which the committee With drew to consider. returning to say that nothing less than the defeat of the primary bill would be ac- ceptable MT. Bedding stated his friends then did as demanded by the committee, as shown by the records on these measures.
 On the Saturday before the Mon day on which the racing bill was finally considered. according to the witness, he called on Gov. Hays and in the conversation Gov. Hays had informed him that he intended to sign the bill, but that he had not at that time even confided it to his wife. He declined to sign the bill at that time, according to the testl- mony. giving as his reason that he desired to name the commission at the same time, and did not care for the embarrassment that would be caused by having so many applica- tions hang over his head. MT. Beld- ing testified that the governor had requested him to notify Wallace Da- wis, Thal Bradsher, James Surridge, R. R. Rice, Judge Rolfe and F. F. Kitchens to be in his office at o'clock Monday morning, at which time he would approve the bill and appoint the commissioners. He as- serted that Gov. Hays again declar- ed that Capt Rice, F. r. Kitchens and George R. Bedding would be the commissioners, but they would have to care for Senator Harris, by mak- ing him secretary, and to settle the question of who was to hold the long and short terms among themselves.
 When the committee called on Gov. Hays Monday morning, accord ing to the witness, he was appar-