The producers news., 1924-04-25
3-YEAR MONTANA
PEN BATTLE CLOSES
WHEN WARDEN QUITS
Governor Lauds officials Service IN
Accepting Resignation; Capltal
. Hears Disclosures Are Behind Ac-
tiOn.

Governor Lauds officials service III
Accepting Resignation; CapItal
Hears Disclosures Are Behind Ac-
tiOn.
Helena, April 21.-After three
years of political turmoil, during
which the Dixon administration has
been kept in hot water by reason OF
the DixOn-COnley-Pott feud IN con-
nectlon with the operation OF the
states prison, Warden M. w. Potter
delivered his resignation to Govern
or Dixon. Saturday, and The same
was accepted by the governor.
In his letter, delivered to the gov
ernor personally by Potter Saturday,
he states that he is impelled to re-
linquish the office of warden because
Of attractive business propositions,
but it is generally believed in Helena
that pressure was brought to bear
upon him within the administration
because of some very startling dis
closures made recently to the board
of prison commissioners by former
guards at the penitentiary.
Old Employees Ousted
These charges, rejecting upon the
warden, were brought to the atten-
tion of the board at meeting held
March 81, attended By Governor Dix
on and Secretary of State G. I.
Stewart, and were presented by War
neP Freed. Myron Lester, II. w.
Green and Tom Holman, all OF whom
had been discharged by Potter after
/ long service at the prison upon the
I grounds that they had double
crossed" him.
Ever since Mr.. Potter took the Of
flee of warden on April II, 1921
when he succeeded Frank Conley, q
bitter warfare has been waged be-
tween the two men and their friends
both sides being unrelenting In their
efforts to- obtain the upper hand, this
! leading Potter to mention in his let
ter of resignation that he laboreC
under great handicaps and with ar
evident purpose on the part of GER
tain newspapers and persons to dis
credit and handicap the operations
Of the institution in every possible
way"
In his letter of resignation, Mr.
Potter fixed no definite time wheT
he desired to be relieved. Governor
Dixon who had given nc intimatiOT
prior to Saturday that a change il
/ wardens was to be made, has not yet
announced Potter's successor, al
though rumOrs have been current
from time to- time that State Game
Warden c. A. Jackways might bt
asked to take the position.
HAS BUSINESS CHANCE
Helena April 19.-Giving as hi
reason that he has more attractive
business opportunities elsewhere, M
w. Potter, warden of the Montan;
state penitentiary, Saturday tendereC
his resignation to Gov. Joseph Dix
on. The resignation was accepted b.
the chief executive, who replied t,
Potter's letter:
''Your letter of this date, rendering
your resignation as warden of tn
/ Montana state prison is received.
Before accepting the same,
want to say to you that / have full,
appreciated the real work you hav
/ done at the prison in cutting the cos
of maintenance at this institution
which shows a saving to the taxpay
ers of the state of more than S100,O0
per year. Every fair minded citiZel
of Montana must admit that it ha
/ been a record of which you should b
proud.
Aware of Handicaps'
"In saying this, I am also full,
aware Of the great handicaps unde
which you have worked. No ston
has been left unturned to embarras
and discredit your every act. Yo
have made this great record of saw
ing despite malignant and viciousl
Unfair misrepresentation of ever
kind.
"With assurance Of my full belle
In your integrity Of purpose in the ad
I ministration of prsion affairs. and O
my appreciation of the outstanding
record you have made in the cost O
maintenance at the state prisor
.