The producers news., 1927-03-25

groups and trying to figure out
some way to look into the way he
administers the banking depart
ment. Most of the Helena pOliti-
clans will heave a great sigh of re-
lief when the Stewart Impeachment
proceedings are over. This state OF
mind will materially help Stewart
and already public sentiment is be-
ing crystallized in Helena in his
favor as it was in Great Falls for
Wheeler, when that gentleman was
tried. The slogan that freed Wheel
er: well even if he did do wrong,
ne was no worse than the rest of
them. Why make a goat out of
this fellow when the others are in
the same boat is beginning to be
heard in the corridors of the Plac-
er and the State Capitol. SlO-
gans seldom loose their magic.
This one may work as well for
Stewart as it did for Wheeler.
Insurance Companies Squeal
The big charge against Stewart is
that he gave several thousands of
dollars of State insurance to the w.
M. Biggs Co., in which he (Stewart)
was almost sole owner. The other
insurance companies got sore about
TINS and had some of their agents
testify that when insurance was Civ
en- them in the past, they split COM
missions with Stewart. L. c. Henry,
Insurance Agent, of Helena, told the
Senate that ne gave Stewart $3.50
which was fifty per cent of the COM
mission he made in a deal with the
state. He gave it to him in the Plac-
er Lobby. Tom E. Atherstone, rep
resenting the Royal Insurance Com
pany of Liverpool, testified that he
had written three policies on state
property and gave Mr. Stewart
S3O4.35 on the transaction.
Paid Cash In Auto
M. c. Williams, Butte Insurance
agent, testified he wrote to the of
flee for the commission and received
a check for $380.93, which he casheC
IN Butte bank, December 81, 1928
and the following morning, after q
telephone conversation with Mr.
Stewart, came to Helena and deliver.
ed the money to Mr.. Stewart in the
latter's automobile on the street be.
low his office.
He further testified that in 1926 ht
wrote two policies on state property
for $4,000 upon which the premium
was S988.60. He said he had seer
Mr.. Stewart in Helena, and the latter
had said, eve are going to get some
more state insurance this year," anC
that he, the witness, replied:
80. K. / suppose under the same
arrangement as before"
H. c. Burton of Butte, specia
Agent for several Insurance Compa
nies, testified that he wrote two poll
cies aggregating 100000 upon whicl
the premium was S1,559.70 and tn,
agents commission S389.93.
Later on, he testified, he received
a remittance from the company, cash
ed the check and brought the none,
to Helena, turning it over to Stewar
as they were going up the stairs t.
the latter's office. He said he ha,
done this because Stewart had aske
for cash.
Il don't remember his exact word
but | got it all right" said the wit
ness.
In 1926, Burton testified, he wrot
five policies upon state property ag
gregating S242,7 ,765 in insurance, 50,
923.61 in premiums and S713.39 i
commission, there having been al
offset by reason of a partial cancel
lation.
He testified the understanding wa
the same as had in 1923, that h
cashed the state warrants, brough
the money to Helena about Octobe
Is, 1926, and gave the money t
Stewart in witness room in the Pla
Ger hotel.