The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1929-04-12

90" writer in the American Mercury of April describes
the s-caed progressves of the United States senate
and includes among them Montana's two senators,
Thomas j. Walsh and Burton K. Wheeler, and in con-
necton Herewith pens interesting political portraits OF
those gentlemen" says the Montana Free Press
"Disagreeng with the great majority of the voters
of the United States the author is highly preudiceo
against President Hoover, and hence give his
whoehearted approval to only of the progressves
Senator Norris of Nebraska, who seemingly cleans
ed of all sin and made perfect because he espoused the
cause of AL Smith Though manifesty prejudced, the
pen portraits of the various senators interesting
Of Senator Walsh the author said:
walsh of Montana approaches closest to
him (Norris) in ability and intelligence, but
is not above suspicion of giving heed to politi-
cal expediency and certainly not above the
charge of manipulating situations to suit his
own purposes. His conduct during the oil in
vestigation was often partisan and egotistical.
His examination of Mellon, Hays, Stewart and
Butler was weak and Indifferent 1t was
queries written out and sent to Nye by the
reporters covering the proceedings that really
dug into the vitals of these gentry and pro-
duced full account of their miserable con-
duct. Walsh is above question in personal hon
esty, but he is strongly controlled by an AFRO
CANT and tactless feeling of superiority. His
contact with other senators, and particularly
progressives, period of many years
doubtless has given him every reason to des-
pise them but therein lies difference between
him and Norris. The latter will suffer and
work them. Walsh holds himself aloof and
goes his way"
Following is the appraisement made of Senate
Wheeler:
wheeler, Washs Montana colleague, is
slick politician, despite his far-flung and
largely unmerited reputation heroic and
prosecuted investigator. Wheeler is as dema-
gogic any of them. In appearance he looks
like board of trade boomer, or a smart, we'll
fed corporation lawyer. He is old hand at
all the political tricks, and easily plays the
game with the party regulars 1t told all
over Montana last summer during his
paign for reelection that he was being sup
ported by the big copper interests of the
state. How much foundation there to the
story l don't know, but he certainly had a
walk away fight of it as compared with
paigns in which the copper corporations open
ly fought him.
"Wheeler devotes himself wholly to potshoot-
ing. He makes speech the senate
floor, combining his remarks to interruptions
of other speakers. His greatest activity is in
committee, where he readily plays partisan
game. He has no hesitancy in agreeing to Sc
cret committee hearings, although afterwards
he will often drop hints of what went en- In
a floor fight he is total loss He is a
miserable speaker, and one of those who never
goes to the trouble of preparing himself. Of
all the progressives- to Norris, who does
not seek them, and Borah who zeaousIy courts
them-Wheeer has the best hoo1up with the
reporters. He is always available and will
pass out the low-down. He also will cooperate
In working up a story. Hence the boys of the
gallery like him and he gets good play when
occasion offers"