Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-07-07
Probe is Intended to
Prove or Disprove
Many Charges Made.
Agent Is Named After
Stormy Session With
Attorney General.

Special to The Tribune.
Helena, July 6.-Investigation Of the
financial affairs of the state prison at
| Deer Lodge as bearing upon the ad-
m1nistration of Warden Frank Con
| ley, which has been going ON in an
unofficial sort of way for the past
! SIX weeks at the instigation of Governor
Joseph M. Dixon. took upon itself an
official standing Wednesday when the
governor made public announcement al
the appointment Of r. III. Macdonald,
| of kalispen, with full authority to- ex-
anime fully into the affairs Of that in-
stitution.
The appointment followed several
rather stormy conferences between the
governor and Attorney General w. D.
Rankin, who took the stand that If
there had been any wrong doing it was
up to his department to conduct an
investigation. However, the attorney
general finally acquiesced in the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Macdonald, which he
decided was authorized by the state
constitution.
Worked Four Days Already.
Mr.. Macdonald, who had already
spent four days at the prison conduct
lug a PA CAdA1u0tiOus kClt lOE
Deer Lodge Wednesday evening, and
will devote his entire attention to his
task until its completion. In this work
Elmer Fl. Stewart, OF KalspeIl, who
is already at Deer Lodge working upon
the books.
Before leaving Mr.. Macdonald in
formed The Tribune that his purpose
In 10 -
funds of the old administration, that he
did not know how far back into the
records of the prison he would 70 nor
how long it would take, but that it
there was anything wrong he would re-
port it, and likewise if everything was
found proper he would SO report that
fact. His report. when completed, win
be filed with the Governor.
Dixon Has Affidavlts.
1t has been known for some time
that Governor Dixon has in his pos
session large number of affidavits
bearing upon the conduct of the prison
under the administration of Warden
Conley. These were secured about six
weeks ago by Major A. E. McFatridge.
clerk to the board of examiners. who
spent about week at the prison for
that purpose Although the governor
has not made any statement regarding
these affidavits. and has kent them se
curely locked in his safe. it is under
stood that there are about 30 ofathese
papers and that they aggregate about
los pages.
One of these affidavits was obtained
from a colored ex-convict, who was
subsequently, employed upon the lawn
at the state capitol and who made his
affidavit here in Helena.
Touches "Movins Day"
While the contents of this affidavit
have not been made known, it is the
general understanding that it refers to
the alleged removal of goods from the
prison on the day prior to, or the dav
following the time when Mr.. Conley
turned over the PRISON management to
the present warden. NJ w. Potter
Conley's friends hold that such goods
as were taken from the prison were
the personal property of Mr.. Conley,
some of which had accumulated there
in the long period he had been in
charge of the institution.
Speaking Of these affidavits, Mr..
before leaving Wednesday
evening. stated that. while he viii not
base his investigation upon these af-
fidavits, he will naturally take them
into consideration in making his inves-
tigation. He said he had read the af-
privilege which has not
been officially accorded to Attorney
General Rankin. according to the lat
,er's statements. Mr.. Rankin states
hat he has endeavored to obtain these
affidavits but that so far the governor
las not turned them over to him.
An Original cwaer.
Warden Conley had been in charge
If the state prison for many years, he
being one of the original owners of
he institution when it was a contract
prison owned by himself and Tom Nc
Tague and after the state acquired the
prison by, purchase he remained as
warden vxil few months ago when
lie was removed by Governor Dixon
Ind NJ W.. Potter. then state fish and
'ame warden. appointed to succeed
bout Deer Lodge, ANACONDA and Butte
" the friends Of Mr.. Conley but was
lot brought officially before the ad-
T. III. Macdonald, who has been
lamed BY the governor to make this
investigation, is a lawyer of kaispcll
md former county attorney Of Flat
lead county.
He was one of the ardent supporters
( Governor Dixon during the recent
legislative sessions, being member Of
he house of representatives from
'lathead county.
Governors Proclamatloa
The proclamation Of the 9Overnor M