The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1927-01-07
IS MARSTERS COMING BACK?

News stories in the state press last week would
seem to indicate that Col Marsters, the old horse
trader from Idaho, is about to return to Montana
and try further experimentation with the Volstead
Act, in this state.
We remember how he entered into this state
under most suspicious circumstances about Is
months ago. He was well received by everybody
and this paper extended to him its loyal cOopera-
ton and unstinted support
But the siren voice of old gang republican pol
iticians started to buzz in his and the old
Boise watermaster listened.
Soon an individual named "Three Fingered
Brown" landed in Sheridan County and was seen
meeting in cellars and other dark places with the
political riff raft which constitutes the AntiFarm-
er Gang in this county.
He was shortly afterwards caught redhanded in
an attempt to manufacture evidence rejecting on
the official integrity of the sheriff and county
attorney. Conscious of his guilt he fled when a
warrant for his arrest was issued and he was
caught on a westbound train after resisting an
officer. Col Marsters instead of helping the Of
ficers here to bring his underling to justice
showed his conformation of his illegal acts by
sending a whole squad of shoppers down here
with the evident intention of intimidating those
who were elected by the people of Sheridan Coun-
ty to enforce the law.
Then the Council of Action appeared on the
scene and started an investigation. When Mar
sters' men were called to appear before the
Council they began to leave on the first trains
out Of Plentywood like horde of scared rats
The upshot of the whole affair was that the
Council of Action issued report showing the
malignant political purpose of the attack the
Farmer Labor officials here This report was
submitted to- amongst others, General Lincoln c
Andrews, Federal Prohibition Agent at Washing
ton, d. c.
To the eternal credit of General Andrews hi
assured the representative of the Council of Ac
ton who presented him with the report that hi
would demand an immediate statement of thu
whole matter from Col. Marsters. Not satisfied
with that he sent Investigators into Montana whc
probed the whole affair, with the result tina
"Three Fingered" Brown soon thereafter move,
to the frigid atmosphere of Alaska and Col Mar
sters and his whole gang of shoppers, gun toters
smellers, fake search warrant and frameup artist
were removed from the confines of this state an
sent to Idaho.
We do not know what has happened to revers
the we'll balanced decision of General Lincoln {
Andrews.
But do know that prohibition was not pro
perly enforced when Marsters was here before
that Butte and Helena cities under his officia
nose, were as wet as Tia Juana during his reign
that boOtleggers and dstillers increased in ever
part of the state; that he seemed incapable o
meeting and assocatng with the people of Mon
tanan on common ground and that the very busi
ness he was supposed to exterminate, flourishe
like green bay tree, while he raved like Bi
lingsgate fishwife at those who criticized his az
tions.
Col Marsters has proven himself unfit to hol
the important office he is appointed to administe
and prohibition will continue to be a farce
Montana until he is removed from office and som,
one else appointed in his place