The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-08-24
~ J. L. 0oDELI
Editor Butte Miner.

In relation to the reckless charge
made by Miss Jeanette Rankin, rep
resentative in congress Of this state.
that the press Of Montana IL owned by
the Anaconda Copper Mining COM
pany, 1t seems needless for me to say
that such an accusation to my mind
il ridiculous.
As far as the Miner is concerned,
everyone connected with this news
paper, for several years past, has been
too proud to acknowledge its owner.
former Senator w. A. Clark, to ever
wish even to disguise its proprietor
ship.
The Miner record shows that 1t has
never hesitated to fight or take ex-
ception to the course pursued by tho
Anaconda company whenever 1t be-
lieved that the corporations actions
were detrimental to the interests OF
the people Of this commonwealth. and
nothing has occurred within recent
times to change this newspapers 20.
sition in this regard.
Tho press OF Montana, generally
speaking. has appeared. through long
course Of years. to be remarkably out
spoken and resentful of anything
Of an effort to control it in behalf OF
| corporate interests.
1t is true that demagogues, who have
\ acquired. or who endeavor to gain,
| some passing notoriety. have OCCASION
ally slandered the press Of Montana by
asserting. without any justification.
f. that it was under domination OF the
big copper company. That has been
rather a favorite accusation for agi-
tators. politically and otherwise, to
| make from time to time.
For the Miners part. 1t has paid very
little attention to such charges. as IL
| has considered that its long career in
fighting for what 1t has believed to be
right, irrespective of corporate fear or
favor, has made it lmpervfous to such
unsupported charges in the eyes OF the
people of Montana, no matter by whom
they may be advanced.
The recent interview given in Wash
ington by Miss Rankin would unques-
tionably tend to bring the name Of the
state into disrepute among those who
have neither actual knowledge Of con-
ditions existing here nor more than a
passing acquaintanceship with the
representative in congress herself.
: For the Miners part, it some time
ago gave up taking anything which
Miss Rankin might say as worthy OF
serious consideration, for, after read
ing some Of her public speeches and
perusing communications received
from her. this newspaper was Simply
astounded. to discover how woefuny
ill-informed she is upon all public and
practical questions.
. Being o woman, and the Miner be-
lieyes a well-intentioned one at heart.
whose range Of vision concerning ma
, tional affairs is but little more ek-
pansive than that of some sweet girl
/ graduate. this newspaper concluded
months ago that gallantry and charity
5 both dictated that her utterances
r should not be too severely criticized
for the reason that most OF the time
she has not the slightest conception
t of even the fundamental principles Of
I the subjects upon which she talks.
:. The result of her ignorance OF pub
Q Tic affairs appears to have made he1
q the easy victim of designing agitators
and disturbers. who have continually
IT misinformed her and used her as
q cats paw to pull their chestnuts on
,. of the fire.
n The Miner believes that she honestl.
v thinks that her course is actuated o.
e the highest principles of integrity, bu
:. when she gets out of her very Limited
Q and narrow sphere of woman -suffrag'
u advocacy, she Is more completely a
a sea than a Montana cowboy would b.
It If he suddenly found himself cas-
= adrift in an open boat In the middl
r. of the Atlantic ocean without sails
Q oars or compass.
g It is unfortunate that the presen
N position she occupies as member
~ congress tends to give her q false in
l. fluence among the great mass Of PEG
lg ple. who are not informed concernin
her pitiful limitations and training 70
10 public life.