Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-12-11
PRISON PROBE
AWAITS RE URN
Of COZ. DIXON
Special Committee to
Begin Hearings Dec
ember IS, Is Decision.
Penitentiary Board Re-
cognizes Appointees Of
the Acting Governor.
Special to The Tribune.

j !.
Helena, Dec. 1O.-PRblic hearings .ir
connection with the state prison probe
by the special investigating committee
Story, Jr., which committee was Off
cially constituted and organized Satur-
day, will commence in Helena, Thurs
day. Dec. Is. coincident to the return
of Governor Joseph NJ. Dixon. The
latter wired Saturday that he would
arrive in Helena the evening of Tues
day, Dec. 13.
The committee which will inquire
into the affairs of prison under the
administration of the former warden
Frank Conley, basing its investigation
upon the report recently submitted by
L. III. Macdonald. is composed OF
Colonel o. f. Goddard. of Billings;
David Hilger of Lewistown, and A.. w
Miles of Livingston, the two first
named having been selected by Acting
Governor Story upon the committee
named a week ago, and the hitter, A. w
Miles, having been named in the place
of G. III. Mcleod. of NIissoula, one OF
the original appointees who had de,
clined to serve.
Mr.. Miles was one of the four named
by Governor Dixon in his telegram
sent from Charleston, S. c., in which
he suggested the enlargement of the
committee to seven members.
To Save Committee
The fact that Mr.. Miles was given
place on the committee and the de-
ferring of the commencement of the
hearing until December 10, Us had also
been suggested by Governor Dixon in
his telegram to Acting Governor Story
appears to be in the nature of COM
promise by which it is hoped to pre-
vent possible discharge of the COM
mittee when Governor Dixon resumes
executive control.
All members of the committee were
in the city Saturday, Colonel Goddard
and Mr.. Hilger having been here in
daily conference with Acting Governor
Story for several days, while Mr.. Miles
arrived Friday evening.
Prior to the organization of the com
mittee short meeting of the board of
prison commissioners was held. attend
ed by Acting Governor Story and Sec
retary of State Charles T. Stewart.
A resolution providing for the appoint
ment of the committee was read and its
adoption was moved by Mr.. Story
whereupon Major Swarthout, clerk of
the board, called the attention of the
members to the constitution of the state
and informed them that the board was
not given authority to appoint COM
mittee or to delegate its powers, stat
ing that this authority was vested only
in the governor.
Rankin Not Present
Mr.. Story remarked that the board
obtained its legal advice from the attor-
ney general and that he was willing to
take chance upon the procedure
Secretary of State Stewart then voted
for the resolution in support of Mr..
Story and it was declared adopted !
The third member of the board, After |
ney General w. %. Rankin, was not
present, he being in Missoula conduct |
ing the custer case against the sheriff
Of Missoula county.
Immediately after the close of the |
meeting the committee members went |
70 the office of the secretary of state I
where they subscribed to the official |
bath and organized by electing Colonel |
Goddard to the craftsmanship. this ac-
ion being taken upon the motion of |
Mr.. Hilger.
On motion of Colonel Goddard the !
committee set December Is, the day
If the expected return of Governor
Dixon, as the time for the opening of |
he hearing and the clerk of the board |
vas instructed to notify all interested
PARTIES to be present at that time.
Asked To Defer Hearing
The original committee named
week ago by Acting Governor Story in
he absence of Governor Dixon was to
ave consisted of Messrs. Goddard and
Iilger and G. H. Mcleod, of Missoula.
The latter Immediately declined, giving
llness as an excuse for his inability
o serve. On the following Monday
Governor Dixon wired from Charles
on, 8. c., suggesting that the hearing /
e deferred until his return to the
tate and that the committee be in
reased to seven members by the addi-
ion of w. C. Lang, Of Havre. George
'arr of Miles City, A. w. Miles of
livingston, and Norman Hotter of
Ielena.
In view of the loss of G. HI. Mel
.eod, efforts were made for several
avs to increase the committee to
i've members by inducing Mr.. Mcleod
. serve and by adding Norman Hotter
nd A. w. Miles thereto Failure
pom the part of Messrs. Hotter and
IcLeod to obtain an agreement as to
rocedure prompted them to. remain
ut Of the committee which was finally
onstituted with but three members. i
Tho Rssolstioa |
The resolution adopted by the board I