New-York tribune., 1918-04-26
Miss Rankia's Loan
Drive Hampered
BY Political Foes
Friends Blame Anaconda
Company for Opposition
to Her in Montana
Had Attacked Ryan
Declared That President Of
Concern Was Responsible
for Labor Troubles
Especial Co,Ycspondencel

HELENA. Mcnt, April 25.-Indigna-
tion is widespread in Montana because
Miss Jeanette Rankin, Representative
Of this state in Congress, has had many
obstacles put in the way of her speak
ing tour about the state for the third
Liberty Loan. The inspiration of this
hostility is generally believed TO be
the AnacoEda Copper Company. whose
president, John D. Ryan. has just been
made director of aircraft production
for the army. Miss Rankin had at
tackled Mr.. Ryan as responsible for
labor troubles in Butte and consequent
dimirution OF copper output.
Miss Rankin wired @. N. Harvey,
state chairman of the speakers bureau
for the Liberty Loan in Montana, offer
ing to go to Montana at her own en-
pense to speak for the Liberty Loan. Mr.
Harvey replied that III his opinion she
campaign. and urged her TO come. She
spoke in Big Timber Monday night;
The opening night Of the campaign in
Montana; then in Livingston Tuesday
Commerce. in the afternoon at the high
school and in the evening to the g. n.
eral public.
Many Requests for Miss Rankin
Many requests were made for her TO
speak in Butte Wednesday night, an(
she went there. In the meantime, how
ever, one member of the local Butte
Liberty Loan Committee said-without
assigning any reasons-that she could
not speak at the general meeting. The
high school auditorium was then OBJ
tanned by her friends, but at the last
minute it's doors were locked. and Miss
Rankin then addressed several thou.
sand persons in the open, IN a binding
snowstorm, where Liberty bonds were
sold.
The three daily papers of Butte de-
libcrately failed and refused to pub
iish one word concerning the arrival
Of Miss Rankin in Butte. 1t is gener-
ally known that the reason they re-
conda Copper Company is hostile tc
her because she named its president
John D. Ryan. on the floor of Cor-
eress, as responsible for the shortage
OF copper production in Butte las
summer. For years the Anaconda Cop
per Company has dominated the policy
Of the Butte newspapers. One OF
them, "Thc Butte Miner" is owned by
W. A. Clark, and the other, "The Ana
conda Standard" by the Marcus DAILY
estate, and "Thc Butte Post" by Ana
conda Company sympathizers.
All this has stirred up a great feel.
ing Of resentment in Montana agains
the company and in favor of Miss
Rankin. Thousands of persons wanted
to hear Miss Rankin and were greatly
disappointed at being denied that
privilege. Indignation meetings have
been held in many towns, condemnine
interfering with a speaker for tho
Liberty Loan.
1t Is conceded, however, by the com.
panIcs that it was a mistake, ant
man: are seeking to disclaim respon.
sibltv for it. The refusal to permi
Miss Rankin to speak in the halls al
Butte and Deer Lodge increased the
demand for her as Il speaker in other
counties, and increased the size of he,
audiences so that she was enabled te
do more effective work for the Liberty
Loan.
Miss Rankin, in all of her speeches
dwolt upon the absolute necessity o.
the generous and unqualified support
Of every citizen to purchase. Liberty
bonds, and their vigorous support II
the prosecution of the war, declaring
that "America calls as she has no
called before"