The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1922-03-24
GUARD IS ARRESTED
FOROPEN|NG MAILS
SERGEANT ROSS or y. s. MARINES
TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOL.
LOWING COMPLAINTS
NEWS Of the CAPITAL CITY
Commission Form Of Government 10
Favored for Counties At Executive
Session Of state Taxpayers
! Association Held Here

Association Held Here
Helena.-Charged with opening mail
he had been entrusted to guard. Ser
geant Frank NJ. Ross, In charge Of the
United States marines here, was mr.
rested here ny w. J. COoney of Great
Falls and TennysOn Jefferson Of Butte.
postOffice inspectors. Since Ross came
here, four months ago. considerable
trouble over letters disappearing or
being tempered WITH has been report
ed. Helena banks are said to have
missed bonds valued at approximately
$4,000. ~
Search of Ross and his rooms re-
vealed nothing discriminating. A few
bills and some small change were
found on him. The complaint filed
with Julius Brass. United States COM
missioner. alleges the unlawful OPEN
Ing Of 10 letters. Ross having con-
fessed to this. officials say.
However. Ross opened 200 letters in
the Helena postoffice, inspectors say.
All these letters were resealed by Ross,
It Is said, and will be mailed to their
destination in official envelopes. Ross
had also previously taken from the
pOstOffice quantity Of postal sup
plies. according to the inspectors.
Ross came here from California
! when the government mustered in the
| Z. s. marines to stop mail rObberles.
He brought "a men to Helena. who
were assigned to duty on the trains
and around the postoffice. The COM
plants have been numerous, it Is said,
at one time seven or eight registered
letters having disappeared in a bunch.
Others were suspected, it is said. and
a watch was instituted that fixed sus-
picion on Ross. The sergeant, who
was observed by inspectors. was said
to have showed much Indignation when
many of the letters yielded nothing.
He is said to have admitted taking
four cents. but officials believe the
amount is substantially more than that.
Ross headquarters Of the marine
corps was notified by the inspectors.
A telegram in reply requested tnat
Ross be held for the military authori-
ties.
Commission Government Favored
Observation-Disclosures of the pro-
posed constitutional amendment which
Is to he voted on at the general cleo
ton this fall. providing for the COM
mission form of governments. is an
nounced by the executive session of
the State Taxpayers association,
which adjourned its sessions here late
last week.
Among other things the association
will do this year in the matter Of the
proposed improving of the taxing sys.
tenn of the state. is to recommend to
the county taxpayers organization
that they ascertain from the com.
missioners Of their respective counties
when the county budgets are to be
considered and have committees from
their organization appear before the
boards at such times and discuss the
matter of the budget with the commits
sioners in the interest of economy. pay
ing particular attention to proposed
road expenditures.
The tax association gives it's endorse
ment to legislation which will require
property owners to make voluntary re
turns to the county assessors with .
penalty for failure to do so.
The association endorses the princi
pie of an Inheritance tax and will sup
port an initiative measure for such {
law.
An endorsement was given the pro
posed. amendment to the constitution
providing for state tax commission
The committee endorsed a propose
for the initiation Of measure to re
duce the salaries Of state and count!
officers. The details Of this proposed
measure are to be worked out afte
data has been obtained regarding tn.
salaries paid officials In other states
The matter of the ACCESSIBILITY of !;
state constitutional convention was dis
cussed at length and the matter post
poned for future consideration.
10 Paroled From State Prison
Helena.-The state parole board re
Gently granted paroles to rem prisoner
at the Montana state penitentiary Il
Deer Lodge. Fourteen inmates of tn
prison were up for parole, but tn
board disappr0ved giving freedom t
four. All Of those who will be parole,
were serving sentences for burglary
robbery, grand larceny. and felony.
4 4 r
New Hay Rate Authorized
Helena.-The state railroad commits
sion has granted authority to tn
Northern Pacific Railroad compan
to establish freight rate Of IS to
! on hay from all stations in Montan
: o0st ~ tvinvSton auoOvdau~ A. 49,