Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-03-10

When Senator J. L. Slattery of Val-
ley county, chairman of the invesrigat-
ing committee branded the governors
information as hearsay evidence, the
governor responded with asperity that
he did not consider it 50, but that the
matter well merited investigation.
This committee called upon the gov
ernor. accompanied by newspaper men
and Attorney General w. d. Rankin,
following the adoption by the senate
of a resolution introduced by Senator
William Haley of Prairie county in
which it was set forth that the state
ment made by the governor "is calcu-
lated to cast reflections upon the in
tegrity and good repute of the members
Of the legislative assembly Of the
senate and providing for full and
impartial and public investigation OF
the matter and for an investigating
committee. The committee named is
composed Of Slattery, Junod. Stewart
of Deer Lodge county, Parker and
Anderson.
Rankin Will Assist.
The purpose of the committee was
stated to the governor by Chairman
Slattery. The governor then made a
statement in which he impaired to the
committee such information as he had
passed to the legislature upon the sub
ject and which was taken in full by
the committees stenographer.
AS the committee was about to leave
the governors chamber he asked:
"Have you an attorney to help you
in this investigation"
No we have not" replied Senator
Stewart.
"Why do you not ask the attorney
general to assist you!" said the gov
ernor. Then turning to Attorney
General Rankin he asked: Would you
be willing to assist, Mr.. Rankin:
II surely will" replied Mr.. Rankin.
myself, anyhow"
After the meeting with the governor
the committee went into executive ses-
zion to discuss the proposition and de-
rided to conduct public hearing at
? p. m. Thursday, probably in the
supreme court chamber. at which |
Senator Connolly and probably other
Billings men will be heard.
Among other witnesses summoned !
from Billings by the senate are:
W. A. Selvidge. president Of the
Montana Development Association, and |
G. w. Fowler. its secretary; Colonel
Rowley capitalist; Roy Covert, banker, |
F. V. II. Collins, OF! man, and C. n.
Baer, banker. |
Statement Of Governor !
In his statement to the committee
he governor said:
"The matter came up in this way.
Several of the members and senator's
lfter the recess drifted into my office
discussing the sentiment as they found
t at home. Among the number who
Incidentally dropped in~after being at
ZONE was Senator Connolly Of Yellow
tone county What he really was dis
ussing was the question that has
,een mentioned of issuing time certi-
'icates to try and tide over the very
eyere financial crisis with which the
tate is confronted. After we dis
ussed that matter we naturally drifted
nto a conversation about the financial
ituation in Billings, how serious the
ressure was over there with the Bill
nRs banks as to carrying state war
ants.
Then the matter Of the oil tax
ame ND and while / cannot remember
he whole conversation, in discussing
he various phases Of it he incidentally
old me about being at q luncheon at
he Northern hotel. He said there were
ight or nine gentlemen present .busi-
ess men Of Billings, and rather In
dental to the talk Of the dinner he
aid a rather acute situation seemed
} arise over a remark that Tom ,
.rthur, the former chairman Of the
tate democratic party. had made at
,e luncheon.
He HeaEs Aftermath
He said the little group were talk /,
II over the oil situation generally.
[e said Mr.. Arthur's talk had aroused /
,me of the gentlemen. This happened !
lst before he, stepped into the tea I
,om, but he heard the aftermath 1
round the room In reply TO Mr.. l
rthurs' statement.
II asked him what he special de- I
ills were that aroused the apparent
pposihon Of some OF these gentlemen,
Il. ~ N A. -