The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1929-06-14

oWler states are untrue ltS TOO Dad ne spolIs o'0
Use good editorials by so much falsehood
We reproduce The Daniels County Leader editoria
Or the entertainment of Sheridan county taxpayers
THE RAWEST YET
Sheridan county has witnessed many fragrant
instances of graft and corruption in public office
and the people of that county had hoped that they
were rid for all time of such practices after the
election last fall However, it appears it will re-
quire the purging forces of another election or
two to clean the slate for a couple of holdover
officials this week again demonstrated their I'M
fitness for office.
Commissioners French and Iverson the
French a slick bird from Medicine Lake and
cronie of Joe Dolin, didn't disappoint anyone
Since he became commissioner he has surprised
those who know him by acting almost honest at
times. However, that can be accounted for by
the fact that opportunities for graft have not
been many since he took office.
Iverson, elected by the Producers News
than four years ago, has usually been consider
ed honest but hardly intelligent enough to dis
tinguish between honesty and graft If he had
been otherwise he could never have been Taylors
candidate.
Iverson was elected by campaign against
county printing graft. He roared and Numbered
about the thousands of dollars Joe Dolin had
grated by means of padded printing bills. He
howled about the commissioners giving the con-
tract to Dolin without the usual custom of call
ing for bids. He was elected.
Two years ago, when the time arrived for let
ting the county printing contract, Iverson, with
clenched fist and flashing eye said he would
never stand for Dolin getting printing contract
again.
French, more tactful, said, eve can't give the
contract to Dolin-he just can't go straight Ev-
erybody knows he is crooked and it would ruin
us in another election if Dolin were given the
contract" That was the substance of his word
to friends.
The Producers News claimed it could get the
contract two years ago if it could dig up $4,000
for French, who would then vote with Wankel.
Iverson was solid against Doin and the Produc-
News. Eventually, the contract given to
c.. S. Nelson of the Plentywood Herald. The con-
tract will expire on July 6, 1929, and, although
Mr.. Nelson sold the Herald last year to the Her
aid Printing corporation, retaining some stock
himself, the work has been done satisfactorily
and at contract prices, without semblance or
charge of graft.
Monday of this week Editor Lowell of the
Herald asked Commissioners Iverson and Anker
if the contract would be let this month Both
of the above named gentlemen assured the edi-
tor that the contract would not be let until July,
next month, and even described the manner in
which bids would be received and the contract
awarded. They positively assured the Herald
editor that the contract would not be let until
July.
A few hours later in that same day Commits
soner French sitting in session with Commits
sioners Iverson and Anker, pulled an envelope
from his pocket informed the Board it was Joe
Dolin's bid for county printing, and, without
further formaty moved that it be accepted.
Commissioner Iverson-who had howled and
yowled for six years about Dolin as a CRATER
Immediately seconded the motion and it was car
ried.
That was that.
Asked later what prompted the action. French
said, sit was Dolin's turn" Asked for an ex-
preston of his views, Iverson said eft was Dolins
turn"
Yes, it was Dolin's turn.
Since Sheridan county was formed II years
ago, Dolln has had the contract FIVE times. The
Producers News has had it TWICE, and the Her
aid which has been in Plentywood for more than
twenty years, has had the county printing ONCE.
Yes that would make it collins turn"
To be plain about it, French should have said.
II ~ IS my turn; other commissioners have had
their graft and am entitled to some"
When the Herald was mentioned to Mr.. French
ne MADE very significant statement: "Well the
Herald got the contract two years ago and new
er even got cigar out of it% It is quite evident
Mr.. French will be properly taken care Of
No newspaper live up to its printing con-
tract and pay any graft or commission to COM
mlssoners. No commissioner expects anv graft
unless ne is willing to be party to plundering
the county by padded printing claims.
1t is an old story in Sheridan county, which has
paid out thousands and thousands of dollars in
printing graft and thousands more in court costs
IN order to avoid paying more graft.
On one claim filed by Dolin for printing bal
Iots, Judge Conner handed down verdict against
Dolln for more than 100000. Imagine. a claim
Tor Approximately 100000 for printing ballots
for election o
The ballots for Daniels countv's general olac
ZION last fall, including sheets for Judges ab
stract OF votes, cost the county $780, But Dnlin
VINO charged approximately one hundred times
that much ($1O,OOO) was given the contract in
sheridan county on Monday of this week bv q
BOARD OF commissioners which even declined to
receive or consider any other bids
AND commissioners French and Iverson vvould
nave you believe, If you please that thew are
honest officials, trustworthy gentlemen.
Foor old Sheridan comty-gang ridden. graft
ridden! And it seems that time makes no inn
proVement with its board of commissioners.
we oont understand why the foreign editor of Sc
icy takes SO much interest in Sheridan county affai,
IAN 1t be that he is trying to fly the Union Jack Nv
sheridan county as well as Daniels? If he be. we ;
sent it. w. we
II seems to us, culpabe as the Sheridan county %,
nlssloners may be, that it is unbecominp for smile
u foreign potentate to criticize them thew are
way American citizens, and maybe measure nm Wi
bowler as Tar as moral turpitude is concerned A,
'esaoes II we recall correctly, Bowler got printi,
contract In the same manner over in Daniels corr
couple OF tmes-and if Burley is interested in .,