The producers news., 1927-02-25

tired out and the hands were torn off
the clock, the A. c. Nj. trotted out a
dark horse in the person of Henry
L. Myers. Myers was elected. Walsh
had now the crown of martyrdom on
his brow. He was defeated by the
big company. The Senatorial Prefer
ence Primary law was passed. Walsh |
became a candidate in 1912. There |
were two opposing candidates: Sena- /
tor j. M. Dixon, now Bull Moose" /
republican and Judge Henry L. |
Smith, a regular republican. Dixon |
had incurred the enmity of the Ana
conda while in the U. S. Senate. With
split in his party, Smith had no
show and Walsh was elected.
Throws Lifeline" to Wheeler"
Upon the accession to power Of the
Wilson administration, Walsh found
that he had federal patronage at his
disposal in Montana. He remember
ed Wheeler, while serving as a MEM
Der of the legislature in 1910, had
voted steadily for him. Wheeler had
a very precarious Justice of the Peace
Court practice in Butte at this time
and sent call for help to Walsh.
Walsh threw out the lifeline to him
in the shape of the Federal District
Attorneyship. From then on fortune
smiled on the tricky little Yankee
lawyer from Butte who never over
looked an opportunity to roll any
loose change in his general direction.
Six years rolled by before Walsh fac
ed the people of Montana for re-elec-
tion in 1918. During that time he
had distinguished himself in the Sen
4 ate as a leader of American Jngo-
ism. He fathered the notorious Es-
pionage Act and other repressive
legislation in Congress. He attacked
LaFollette, when the fearless Wis
consin Senator dared to tell the truth
/ in the hectic days of 1918.
J About this time occurred the only
rift in the history of the partnership
f, of Walsh and Wheeler. The incident
throws an interesting sidelight on the
character of Walsh. Under similar
circumstances Walsh did the same
thing with Doheny later where the
same interests were concerned
Wheeler's. term as u. S. District At
torney expired and he was seeking
re-appointment from the Wilson ad-
ministration. During the industrial
strife in Butte in the years 1917-191S
Wheeler was making money as U. 5
District Attorney and he decided thai
his political future would be better
served by staying with the miners
than with the Anaconda Company
The underground workers OF Butte
adjoining camps then numbered abou
$4,000 They were strong for th'
union and if Wheeler chose to pro
secute their leaders at the behest O
the Anaconda Company under th'
Espionage law. he would hardly sue
ceed in getting a conviction befor'
Butte juries and he could not coun
on the cooperation of Judge Bourquii
in such a campaign of prosecution
Under these circumstances Wheele
did nothing. This gave offense t
the Anaconda Company and they dc
e termined to get his scalp.
Ell Walsh 0beys the Sixth Floor"
i Walsh was a candidate for reelet
f ton about this time and was oppos
e ed by DR.. Lanstrum (republican) an
n Miss Rankin (National Party). |
: the midst of the campaign, Will
d Walsh was still formally supportin
/ Wheeler for reappointment, but nc
i attempting to force through his non
# ination by Wilson, two well know
n Montana democrats made trip
e Washington-Col. Nolan and Hug
II Wells. They interviewed Walsh
the National Capital. As result {
e the interview Walsh summone
J. Wheeler to Washington. He ga
n him until 10 o'clock the followir
= morning to voluntarily withdraw b
; application for reappointment as
n S. Attorney; if he didn't he (Walsf
n. would have to withdraw his supper
st He told Wheeler that if he continue
Re, his support of Wheeler for the ID