The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1929-04-19
A. c. M. COMPANY RULES
From The Montana Free Pressl

(From The Montana Free PreSs)
No doubt Gov. Erickson achieved his greatest piece
of craftsmanship when he finally appointed
missioner of agriculture He made II other appoint
ments state boards in day. but it took him three
months to set aside Commissioner A. H. Bowman and
to appoint A. HI. Stafford commissioner in his stead.
In this piece of high class craftsmanship Governor
Erickson made democratic enemies, and accepted the
dictation of Anaconda Copper Mining Company repub
Hcans. The phenomena surrounding the appointment
including fierce and bitter underground fractional
struggle between A C. M. people and independent
of the company, presented concrete example of how
the A. G. M the state government.
The appointment of Stafford dictated by Thomas
A. NARROW, Helena banker, who operates one of the
nine Anaconda Copper Mining COmpany's newspapers
for the company the Montana Record-Herald at Hell
ena. Two years ago, when the late DIR. o. M. Lam
strum sold the paper to the company it was turned
to Mr. NARROW to for the latter and he
been operating it since At Helena that is be-
ieVed to explain why the paper is the fattest of all
the companys journalistic flat tires since bankers
trained in school of coldbooded deberaon and cal
culaton, while newspaper is warm blooded, human,
sympathetic, rapidly moving that makes mis-
takes yet reflects humanity from almost every angle
but that of a bank
Mr.. NARROW has been lifelong republican, and for
years republican national committeeman, a canji-
date again for the office at the republican state
vention at Helena last year, when he defeated by
John w. Schnitzler His influence, however with the
Erickson copper administration was not lessened by
his republicanism. Since he runs, perhaps merely
wigges the Helena republican" company paper, he
naturally yields great power with the governor.
However, there several candidates for the job
of commissioner of agriculture which pays $4,000 a
year In salary and is highly important in the economy
of the state government and the battle over it was
enough to turn the governors hair white Nevertheless
it was not at all surprising that former national re-
publican committeeman allowed by the Anaconda Cop
per Mining Company to of its newspapers to
suit his own pleasure and purposes should eventually
prevail IN the appointment.
wondering world inquiries why it was important
to Helena banker and agent of the great copper
poration that the agricultural commissioner should
be named by him. This is explained by observers at
Helena, who point out that Mr.. NARROW Jim Wood
ward Sam Stephenson and other gentlemen of the
same organization are deeply interested as owners
stockholders and the like in the Montana Flour Mills
and Montana Elevator company
Flour mills and elevators in Montana are in direct
contact with the commissioner of agriculture W. N
Smith, vice president of the Montana Flour Mills took
part In the melee from which Stafford emerged as the
appointee first backing Bowman and then Stafford as
compromise candidate. No doubt he was a help to
NARROW in controlling the appointment
Flour mills have extraordinary interest in the
occupant of the commissioners office That official
controls grain grading scale testing bonding of eeva
tors the Laboratories that test protein content of wheat
mas power to make special grain grades and acts as
middle man between the mills and elevators and grain
farmers OF Montana Such official should be undey
no oDhgaton TO flour mills elevators He should
stand clear CT all such influences if he is to discharge
ms duties with fairness to the public
Inc grain farmers of Montana should taLo ro+o "a
tne part taken by the Anaconda Copper Minino Co,-
pany and It's bipartisan political agents and neysnano,
machinery IN filling the office of COMMISSIONS IF
rcuture, state officer whose duty If Is IN oard
interests and aid them to market their Gram n +be
greatest advantage W gram W Tie