GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) – Officials say a final mediation attempt to resolve differences between the C.M. Russell Museum and the Great Falls Advertising Federation has failed.

The two sides could not agree at a meeting last week that included mediator Stuart Kellner.

The split concerns an art auction held by the Advertising Federation that raised money for the museum. But some contended the auction instead raised money for the Advertising Federation.

The result is that both groups are now planning simultaneous art auctions in March.

Darrell Beauchamp, Russell Museum executive director, says the groups were too far apart to reach an agreement.

The Advertising Federation, also called the Ad Club, has donated about $5.7 million to the museum from proceeds of its Western art auctions over the past four decades.

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Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com

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AP-WS-10-24-09 1530EDT