The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-03-23

THE BETRAYAL

of the Republican caucus, then con-
trolling the democratic caucus which
they did, by bringing the democratic
members up solid for their slate,
swing these six Copper Republicans
over in support Of democratic slate
on roll call and organize the House.
The scheme was well thought out, but
the Farm Bloc got busy and before
Sunday night had lined up six of the
Democratic radical members to stay
out of the Democratic caucus and to
vote for the Dixon Republican slate,
which blew the Copper plans to smith
Greens. The Copper Democrats were
sore, but had to suck their thumbs
they were OutgenerOled in the House
and progressive committees were
made up there.
But in the Senate, where every one
was so sure of a Dixon organization,
there was a different store Saturday
the writer received a grapevine wire
from a very prominent democrat of
the state to the effect that the copper
crowd was going to organize the SEN
ate by means of a harmony PROPOSE
tiOn, and to warp the Dixonites of the
plot. This was done, but no one took
the tip seriously. Saturday afternoon
the harmony talk grew thick as per
schedule and again thegwriter warned
the DixOnite so-called leaders-but
we were a new member and no one
was inclined to consider any sugges-
tiOn,-in fact a fine propaganda had
been spread against us. Sen. Seig-
fred of Carbon and Sen. Mains of
POndera, supposed Dixonites, led off
for harmony, and the Dixon senator's
absolutely leaderless, idea-less and
gutless, the weakest bunch of sisters
imaginable, were ducks on rocks for
the astute copper senators and lobby
lists. The writer was not taken into
any confidence by the senators, and
most of the members were strangers
to us, but together with Senator Kane
we were told that everything was
fixed and we should check which we
did, only to find that we were checked
out. The Caucus finally arrived and
harmony was in the air. Sen. Herren
of Custer was nominated and elected
Caucus chairman, and then by ballot,
John Allen was nominated Sergeant
alarms, Frank Cone was nominated
Secretary Of the Senate over the Dix
on candidate and Rev Chirgwin was
nominated Chaplain, then Geo. Les
ter was nominated Assistant Secre-
tary, and the Caucus moved that the
remaining places be filled by a COM
mittee on employment.
At this point, it was moved by Dix
on senators and seconded by Dixon
senators that the Caucus chairman,
Sen. Heren of Custer, appoint the
Committee on Committee, the Com
mittee on Rules, the Committee on
Seating: There were no objections,
and no discussion and the motion car
ried. The writer and Kane voted aye
with the Dixonites and the Copper
ties, checking as we were told but
holding our breath and feeling nerv-
Gus. Harmony had prevailed. Every
Dixonite now held his breath await
ing the announcement of Sen. Heren
of the Committee on Committees and
the Committees on Rules. 1t come
at last after Sen. Heren, ashamed of
his own base betrayal of the people,
had explained how fair he had tried to
be on Committee on Committees he
named, not the slate agreed upon,
composed of Griffin, Gowan and Haz-
elbacker, but LeuthOld, Hazelbacker
and Cowan-two copperites and one
weak spined Dixonites. Faces turned
scarlet but not a word was said. Her
en- then announced his Committee on
Rule, Committee on Employment,
and Committee on Seating. The
Senators, some with eyes twinl1ling
ond some with faces white and lips
compressed filed out at the Brown
Room of the Placer and soon were
gathered in groups together here and
there whispering to each other, and
soon curses were heard and laughs of
the victor commingled, and crowds
in the lobby were asking: who are the
traitors? =? Where are the traitors Z?
Every face was either wreathed in
smiles or sobered with despair.
New Years day, the slate went over.