The people's voice., 1942-01-07
way. I know he was one of 40 men
in congress that my society circular
lied me to support
H. c. B. COLvILL.

0ICat dllS, MOut., Jdu. q, ISf
Mr.. James L. Adkison,
Local Chairman,
Committee to Defend America,
Helena, Montana
Dear Sir:
| 1 acknowledge receipt of your lette
which I also note was printed In "Th'
Peoples Voice" which l for one GER
tainly appreciated as we do like t
know what the other party is think
ing about and I do hope to explain
my position In this letter so you VII
have clear understanding as tt
where l stand.
First: l am glad to know that you
agree that | made q mistake In help
ing to select Sam Ford but we had
a job to do and that was the elimf-
nation OF Roy Ayers and his gang
and Ford looked like the best timber
Burt Kathan would have been the
ideal selection but 1t was impossible
to nominate him on the democratic
ticket against the Ayers machine go
we combined our efforts to put over
Sam Ford, knowing full we'll that 1T
would be an improvement over the
past administration.
You mention the fact that / left a
weak spot in my political armour by
using the word I'VE" 1t may be pos
sible that I did not make this point
clear when you asked who does I'VE"
mean. Let me frankly state that I'VE"
does not represent any small group
or clique who were intending to get
special consideration from our gov
ernor but 1--WE" was intended to mean
all of the independent, progressive
voters in Montana, In fact the rank
and file Of our people who were anx-
ious to see new administration func-
tioning in Montana. l hope this dec
laration makes this point clear and,
il you would like, would even add
that the Eve" represents the liberal
progressive group-the guy who ped
dies his own papers and Is trying to
make Montana better place to live
| heartily agree with you that the
vigilantes In Montana should never
have been disbanded because If they
were still in existence we would have
lot of the boys in South America,
some in Deer Lodge making little
rocks out Of big ones, and some out
of commission entirely
You asked If I had any Influence
In selecting Mr.. Thorkelson and Jean
nette Rankin, and | might add Jerry
O'Connell to the list, and will say
frankly that I had no active part or
interest in selecting a representative
from western Montana and, so far
as democracy is concerned, do not
think any one Of the three represents
the people of western Montana Per-
sonally do not think that two OF the
former members were any particular
friends Of our senior senator but do
believe that the only reason that they
were elected was due to the fact that
they were the opposition against Jerry
O'Connell who showed his colors first
as state representative, next as rail-
road commissioner, and then as con-
gressmau for one term. The people
I'VE" did not pick them ALL In fact
the I'VE" boys picked only Bert
Kathan and Sam Ford whom we sup
ported and which we have admitted,
but had nothing to do with the Sc
lection Of the other three candidates.
For your information, 1t is my person
al opinion that Wheeler had nothing
to do with the selection of Sam Ford. |
He was all out for Art Lamey in the |
primaries and after being disap- |
pointed in the nominations, Wheeler
was disgusted and refused to take any |
part in the Montana gubernatorial |
election. And might add that in |
my personal opinion Art Iamey was |
out, and Wheeler's absence |
from the state did help elect Sam |
Ford.
| do not believe that Wheeler and |
Sam Ford click for the reason that
Sam Ford eliminated D. A. Batchoff,
who was personal friend of Wheeler,
and I do know that he tried to elm
nate Craighead and John Nelson, who
are also personal friends OF Wheeler,
but he needed congressional support
% do this which he was unable to
get.
Let me add again at this point that
sam Ford was no stooge of the
organization, as far as I am
able to learn, but no doubt Wheeler
helped Ford's candidacy by keeping
,ut of state politics, after the prim-
lries, because, in my opinion Wheeler
vas also disappointed with the record
hat Roy Ayers had made and also
he promises he made to get Wheeler
md other liberal support, before his
election.
Let me say frankly that l have al
ways had great admiration for B.
Wheeler, and have supported him
ver since he was a candidate with
he help Of the non-partisan league,
l thought he was honest and
incere, but the fact that he still hob
obs with many stool pigeons in the
tate OF Montana and particularly the
ead OF the Industrial Accident Board,
vho Wheeler is using to accomplish I
is ends.
Let me also frankly say that / have !
cen strong supporter OF Roosevelt I
nd did not agree with Wheeler's vim ]
ictive antagonism and isolationism, t
uring the last campaign. Wheeler I
J smart, intelligent statesman, and
thought he was right until he op-
osed the foreign policy Of the United 7
tates government, and l firmly be- 6
eve that Wheeler was rotten and g
'rong In making such a stand. II 9