The producers news., 1927-11-18

Ayers IS not popular with the rank
ana ille of the miners because OF
the TACT that when Ayers was Judge
ne ousted Tim Driscoll ana ruied
against Mayor Duncan at the suppos-
ed behest of the Anaconda Mining
company. Duncan, who was soclalsU
Mayor of Butte and Driscoll VINO Is
known as the sheriff who refused TO
use his office against the miners,
We're two of the most popular OIL
Ilclals ever elected in Silver Bow.
Inc miners have long memories and
they still hate Ayers for deciding
against their idols. But the race be-
tween Ayers and Erickson Will be-
close and interesting.
Wheeler Weakens
The tour of Senator Wheeler over
the northern part of the state Is
conceded to have weakened hlm IN
stead Of Strengthening the standing
OF the junior Senator with the voters.
HIS audiences were composed OF mem
Ders OF Chambers of Commerce, Nj
wants Clubs and Methodist churches:
He called on the local bankers and
avoided any contact with farmers or
|
check-up of the districts which he
visited shows that the chief impress
sion conveyed to the minds OF the
voters by his visit was that he was
badly scared" that he would be de-
feated next time and that he was
campaigning too early. Most OF the
people he addressed usually vote in
the Republican primaries anyway.
Any democratic candidate would beat
him in Cascade and Levi and Clark
Counties while all his former chief
supporters in Butte are getting ready
to throw the vote of the Gibraltar
of Democracy" to another man. When
he left for Washington, Wednesday
night he appeared a much disheart-
ened man and the rumor is strong on
: the streets of his home town that he
will make strenuous efforts to land a
Job, through Frank Vanderlip with
the Standard Oil or some allied in
terest, and may never return to file
for the Senatorship next summer His
, faux pas in Northeastern Montana has
caused the whole state to laugh at
him. And when the public begins to
laugh at Statesman" it is mighty
serious business. Next week the writ
er intends to give a survey of facts
concerning the republican party.
Anaconda Co. Scandal
, The arrest of P. H. Sidley, on a
/ charge Of stealing $4,000 from the
safe in the pay office of the Anacon-
da Company, is the main topic of
conversation in the Mining city. Sid
ley has been paymaster for the com
pany for 10 years He was one of
their cleverest election manipulators
When he bought fur coats for some
{ If Butte's prettiest women, swanked
| by IN high-powered cars and drank
the choicest liquors at the City's clas-
5 siest bars, the people took it as a
matter Of course. When an auditor
5 discovered he was short a stagger-
ing sum he was merely dismissed
from the services of the company
} But the Surety company demanded an
, arrest and Sidley was taken to the
county Jail and Immediately released
S on a $4,000 bond. 1t is reported that
Sidley and others got away with over
4 $5OO,OO0 in all. Padded payrolls anC
: other stunts of like nature was the
D method employed by the fast worker.
: in the pay office. Some timekeeper.
f and foremen are said to be in on the
r affair and a big shake-up in the per
: sonnel of the local control crowd" Of
: the Anaconda is expected.
h Sidley Popular
: Sidley is about the streets of Butt,
l and seems to be the most popular
: man in town. He must plead mex
Saturday. If he pleads guilty it il
explained that he will spend a shor
but pleasant vacation in Deer Lodge
/, If he decides to plead "Not Guilty
his trial will not come up for months
He may never be convicted in cas-,
of a trial. The people think it Quit,
. a joke on the Anaconda and public
sentiment seems to think that tn,
! distribution of fur coat and the spend
! ing of the money at home is prefer
: : able to Shooting it away" on cham
: pagne parties, monkey dinners an,
/. cat suppers in New York, Paris O
? London by the owners of big block
!, = of stock in the Anaconda Company
1t is funny state of public opinion
but it is exactly what exists in tn
great mining camp today.