The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-04-18

SOfC OF sentiment CreaS0naDle. Mel |
son will make his committee a red
hot news center If he has his way.
Jones of Washington takes the
changed conditions in the world |
more calmly. He has not yet de-
clared himself for the sale of all the |
governments merchant fleet to the
private shipping corporations. He
has written to Chairman Hurley of
the shipping board to get an official
opinion from the board. Jones is
perfectly willing to leave the fire.
works to Nelson, while Jones quietly
arranges for the probable Republican
attempt to sell the feet at a bar
gain. And if the friends of public
ownership prove too strong, Jones
will be found willing to compromise,
anywhere that the compromising is
good.
RUSSIAN EMBASSY CHANGES
The Russian embassy here is
swimming in the teacups of social
gossip again. Some time ago Wash
ington society was all upset because
the Boris Bakhmeteff, who was sent
here as ambassador by the Miliukoff
provisional government Of Russia,
was being snubbed by the George
Bakhmetef, who resigned the same
job when the car was toppled off
the throne. The old imperial am
bassador was grouchy person with
rich American wife, and they de-
cided that his successor, who was a
mere Russian business promoter,
should not be permitted to get any
where in the heightened society Of
the capital of our democratic repub-
lie. Sad to say, the new ambassador
appeared to desire nothing so much
as to shine in the drawing rooms Of
our dowagers and their millionaire
husbands. When the story went
around that old George explained
that Boris was in the same way re-
lated to him that Booker Washing
ton was related 10 the original
George, society did not take the re-
| marx as an insult by autocracy to
democracy, but as a personal Gala
| nifty to Boris.
And now comes rumors that the
beautiful Russian embassy building,
which old George had to vacate in
favor Of Boris, may be turned over
to q still newer ambassador. The
possible soviet ambassador is either
to be Mr.. Martens, a wealthy and
cultured purchasing agent for the
biggest steel company in Moscow
now a nationalized concern-or Pro-
fessor Lomonosoff, very learned
scientist, who was sent here by Ker-
ensky, originally, to buy a hundred
million dollars worth of railroad
equipment. Either of these mer
would be more acceptable in the
really culture circles than either Of
the Bakhmeteffs. But the societ,
leaders are worried. They face the
possibility that they will never ever
be asked to enter the soviet embas
sy! Instead, they understand that i
is to be made a center for brain!
American progressives-people wh'
have contributed to constructive de
mocracy.
WHAT WILL PALMER Do?
Attorney General Palmer is ;
puzzle to the various elements il
Washington that are tugging at hi
sleeve. Some say that he is goini
to establish a big secret servic
;; which will "strike terror" into tn
!, hearts of all non-Democratic politi
cal agitators. Others say that h
is going to reverse the policies of hi
predecessor, Mr.. Gregory of Texas
and will present striking contras
to the policy of Postmaster Genera
Burleson-likewise of Texas-to tn
extent that he will ask the presiden
to liberate all the so-called politics
.. prisoners.
!, Thus far Mr.. Palmer has done tw
;. things: He has recommended tn
. dismissal of number of indictment
: against prominent Socialists, VIII
, were accused of seditious utterance
: during the war; he has politely bu
firmly shaken off the connection c
n the private spying organization
- from the department.
In interviews, Mr.. Palmer has dt
, clared that the government will M
!. assume to curb the right of FIRE
= speech and a free press, so long
- violent overthrow of the governme1
= is not advocated. He has promise
- to prosecute any one who does ady'
- cate violent revolution.
Rumors that the president is g.
ing to pardon Eugene V. Debs hay
not been verified. On the oth'
|, hand, Palmer has announced his o.
=, :, position. Reports that Mr.. Palm
=; - is going to order the dismissal
- some 900 to 700 indictments brougl
>, under the espionage act are appa
u emily nearer the truth. 1t seen
~ probable that the new attorney ge
= eral will dispose of this matter b
.; ., fore the question of general ar
+; 70 nesty for political prisoners is TAX
I. = I'D by him with the chief executive
Of BAER FIGHTS FOR SOLDIER
ID Congressman Baer is to introdu
% bill in the new house granting
To years pay, as bonus, to each s.
ON der when he is discharged. One
the first delegations to line up
no support of the proposition has be
an the Tammany delegation from NJ
ut York City. 1t appears that tho'
ON ands of discharged soldiers
10 stranded in New York, and that
X Tamnany club have been forced
| r.. 49,. .r@o their treasures