The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, June 4, 1934, Page 2

2 CONTINUE from page one * ‘Alex Stern, Fargo Business Leader, Is Taken by Death from Governor Allin and being reap- pointed for four-year terms by Gov-/ ernor Fancher and Governor Hanna. Mr. Stern was a director in many of the largest business institutions of Fargo and other enterprises in North! Dakota and South Dakota. In 1910.! with his brother, Max, he created the) Dakota Trust company of which con- cern Max became president. At the| time of the death of Max in 1916, Alex} Stern took over the duties of his| brother. i In 1921, with several associates, Mr. | Stern started the Dakota National bank in this city which has grown} until it is classed among the largest institutions of its kind in this state.) He was the first president of the in-| stitution and has remained in that capacity since. On August 1, 1926, the Northern and Dakota Trust companies were consolidated and Mr. Stern was nam- ed chairman of the board of directors. ‘The new concern is known as the Northern and Dakota Trust company. Had Wide Interests Besides his banking and other bus- iness interests, Mr. Stern acquired considerable property in Fargo and had an interest in some of its largest | buildings. | Fraternally he was a 32nd degree ‘Mason, a member of the Mystic shrine, as well as a member of the Foresters, B. P. 0. E., I. O. B. B. lodge and oth- er fraternal societies. Politically he ‘was a Republican but formerly was with the Democrats until the cam- paign of 1896 when he withdrew from their ranks an account of the free stl- ‘ver question. Six years after he had established himself in the then prairie town of Fargo, Mr. Stern married Miss Bertha! Aurora Kaufman of Aurora, Nevada, and three sons were born to them, William, Sam and Edward. Mr. Stern can be said to have large- ly contributed to the upbuilding of Fargo as a city and the state of North Dakota. More than once the public showed its regard and appreciaion of his efforts by conferring upon him honors that came to him unsolicited. Mr. Stern was Fargo’s wartime mayor. Prior to the World war, how- ever, he served for many years as a member of the city’s governing body. ‘He was a member of the city council for four years from 1896 to 1899, and ‘was again elected to the council in 1908, serving through 1909. He was elected to the Fargo city commission, the form of government having changed in the interim, and served as commissioner of finance from 1913 until 1917. In 1917 he was elected president of the commission, serving in that capacity through the war and] until 1921. Three Sons Enlisted His three sons, William, Sam and Edward, enlisted in the U. S. army. Sam and William reside in Fargo, Sam being vice president of the Stern Clothing company and William, cashier of the Dakota National bank. Edward resides in New York and is cashier of the Greenbaum Securities company of that city. Mr. Stern established a wide repu- tation as a friend of those in need| and was exceptionally active in local, national and international move- nts for the aid of starving peoples, ot only Jewish but of all faiths. In 1915 he was named treasurer for North Dakota of the United Jewish Appeal, an crganization formed to bring material aid to the starving Jew- ish peovle in Central Europe. Through his efforts, thousands of dollars were subscribed in the larger communities of North Dakota to be used in this cause. He held the position of treas- urer for more than 12 years, carrying on the work throughout the World war when the inhabitants of central Europe were driven hither and thither by the movements of armies engaged in the conflict. Besides this responsible position, he ‘was trustee for many years of the Cleveland Orphans home at Cleveland, Ohio, a Jewish institution. At the time of his death he was the state director for North Dakota of the Na- tional Jewish hospital for the tuber- cular patients at Denver Colorado, In addition to his immediate family Mr. Stern leaves one sister. She is Mrs. 8. Kahn, residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 10 Seniors Complete Courses at Robinson Ten seniors were graduated from Robinson high school at commence- ment exercises Friday evening with Herbert D. Swett, Stecle, member of the state legislature, as the main speaker. Frances Peyer, who was valedictor- fan, and Borghild Stephenson, who ‘was salutatorian, are honor students of the 1934 class, which also includes Irgon Lenz, Haakon Leland, Marion Shirley, Beulah Hirchert, Helene Me- lin, Evelyn Davis, Mildred Dehne and Louise Subart. Harvey N. Jenson, superintendent, made the special awards for the year and presented the class to the presi- dent of the school board, Adolf Lied- tke, who awarded the diplomas in be- half of the board. Rev. Eidbo, Bowdon, gave the bac- calaureate sermon to the graduates Tuesday evening. Assisting in the services were the school glee elub, the male quartet and Miss Olson, who gave vocal numbers. As their class play, the seniors pre- sented “The Path Across the Hill.” ADMITS MURDERS El Paso, Tex., June 4.—(7)—Antonio Carrasco, a 31 was held Monday while officers inves- tigated a signed statement he made admitting he killed Mr. and Mrs, Riley R. Smith, wealthy ranch couple, CONTINUED Fields, Pastures Materially Aided By Sunday Shower has taken no steps to halt violation of the embargo, but indicated he will if necessary. “We are confronted with the fact,” Gov. Langer said, “that the present drouth has intensified an already se- rious situation to the emergency point and that next winter we will face a feed shortage unparalleled in North Dakota.” He declared that “it is known that certain speculators are not adverse to capitalizing on the miseries of the farmers by buying cattle at rock bot- tom prices in other states and turn- ing them out to graze on North Da- kota pasture, thus depriving North Dakota farmers of the opportunity to use pastures for their cattle.” He called attention that many North Dakota farmers already have been forced to call upon the assistance of the government to feed their live- stock, and in many cases have been unable to obtain an adequate supply tor their needs, “In view of the existing emergency,” the proclamation said, “which, with each increasing day of drouth tends to become more acute,” an embargo is declared on “shipping, trucking, driving, or importation in any way of any livestock into the state of North Dakota except for the purpose of im- mediate slaughter.” The embargo is to be in effect for the duration of “the present emergency situation or until success has been attained in relieving it.” E Conrine’D Jurors Are Told Deposits Match THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE, MONDAY, JUNE 4, 1934 defendants in a conspiracy case. Arthur E. Thompson, Mrs. Minnie D.Jhad been collected,” Christianson|to the committee—the committee hadj mer?” Thorp asked. Judge Christian- Since the beginning of proceedings, Thorp frequently has entered objec- tions on the ground that the act of one defendant was not known to oth- ers involved in the action. The court invariably has overruled, Williams Stopped Practice Lanier was told to proceed. He in- quired further as to the action taken by the state relief committee in bring- | ing to a stop solicitations among em- ployes of the office. Williams explained, “I was given a list of people who contributed with instructions to have the practice stopped and to secure any post-dated checks that had been given. I went to Joe Kinzer. His was one of the names on the list. I asked him if he knew about it and told him I had been instructed to see the people on the list. “He told me he felt sure he could get the post-dated checks.” “Did he ever bring them to you?” Lanier asked. “No, sir, he didn’t,” Williams testi- fied. “You may cross-examine,” told the defense. On cross-examination Williams tes- tified all employes signed the back of the vouchers, including a certifica-| tion of signature. Williams said “all employes signed vouchers in this) manner.” «A resolution by the committee on March 29, 1933, was introduced by} the defense. The resolution set the salaries of clerks and stenographers and of Kinzer and his son Joseph. By the resolution Kinzer received $150 monthly and his son $100. Clerks re- ceived $90 and stenographers a base pay of $80 monthly. Kinzer Obtained Raise Another resolution, dated May 29, also was introduced in which raises were granted to Kinzer and others, duced. but the salary of Mrs. Scott was re- Thorp asked, “Did you ever see Langer in the office around there?” And Williams replied, “No, never.” Williams testified the governor re- ferred a number of letters to his of- fice, and that he “attended to them the way I thought they should be attended to.” Lanier | ‘Leader’ Checks John Williams, executive secretary of the federal emergency relief com- mittee, who succeeded R. A. Kinzer, one of the defendants, resumed the stand as court convened shortly after 10 a, m. Monday. He was asked to identify records of the minutes of meetings of the federal emergency relief committee and stubs from a check book showing that a check for $90 was issued to Mrs. Edith Scott, an employe, and then marked “void.” Another check stub jshowed a check was issued to the woman for $85. Mrs. Scott last week testified her salary was reduced from $90 to $85 a month following her re- fusal to contribute to “The Leader.” ‘The court asked District Attorney Lanier the purpose of the exhibits and Lanier explained that the govern- ment sought to establish the selection of Kinzer as executive secretary and to show a resolution of the committee, designated by Judge A. M. Christian- son, chairman of the committee ai the time and now state relief admin: istrator, as a “declaration of policy. The resolution warned employes they must not participate in any po- litical activity and prohibited them from making any political contribu- tions. Judge Christianson Saturday had testified as to the resolution. Thorp Is Overruled George Thorp of defense counsel ob- jected to the introduction of the check stubs, but was overruled by Judge Andrew Miller. The defense con- tended minutes of the relief commit- tee show that the reduced salary check was allowed by the committee five days before it was issued. Referring to minutes of the com- mittee, Lanier brought out that, on the resignation of E. H. Brant as executive secretary, Kinzer was ap- pointed with the approval of Gov. Langer. The defense asked that Lanier read to the jury part of an exhibit of the minutes, dated August 25, 1933, allow- ing payment of certain bills, includ- ing the salary of Mrs. Scott at $85. Another exhibit showed that Wil- liams was named to succeed Kinzer September 1, 1933. “After you got into office, how long was it before you learned that five per cent of salaries was being col- elected by some one?” Lanier asked ‘Williams. It was the latter part of Decem- ber or January, Williams said. He added that it was about that time that the committee issued an order to halt contributions, Williams told of the committee's action, and said he was instructed that if solicitations were being made “Did you ever have any conversa- tion with the governor relative to salaries of employes or work there?” asked. Williams replied, “No, sir.” On re-direct examination, Lanier asked, “Relative to committee actions in connection with salary raises or Teductions—such actions were taken upon your recommendation, weren't they?” ‘Williams answered, “Yes.” Objection Is Sustained — __ Following the morning recess, Wil- liams was recalled for a few additional questions under cross-examination. “Is it the practice of the executive Secretary to raise or lower salaries?” Thorp inquired. “Yes Sir,” Williams replied, adding that he always took up the matter with the committee. Lanier objected to the question as improper cross-examination. Thorp said the query was to show the prac- tice of the office. The court sustained the objection with the statement, “it shows the practice in his (William’s) adminis- tration only.” A single question was put to L. M. French, employe of the FERA office, when he was recalled to the stand after Williams was dismissed. Lanier asked French, “during August, 1933 in the Patterson hotel, did you see R. A. Kinzer and hear him make a statement regarding Mrs. Edith Scott. “I did,” French replied. “He said ‘I cut her salary $5 because she doesn’t need to think she is so damn smart.’” From the man who replaced Gov- ernor William Langer as head of fed- eral relief administration in North Dakota, Saturday came testimony that political contributions by relief employes were discovered and order- ed halted. The testimony was given in the trial of Langer and seven co-defendants in United States district court, by Judge A. M. Christianson, present head of the federal relief administration in the state, and a supreme court justice. Christianson testified the committee of which he became chairman learned of the contributions and issued a re- solution barring further contributions and ordering the employes to abstain from any political activity. Sensations Mark Day His testimony closed a day in court which had been marked by: Revelation that a “Leader” check had paid for a $2,461 cashier's check, which in turn had been credited to the purchase of stock for Langer through a Bismarck investment house. Testimony by a girl witness that R. A. Kinzer, former secretary of the re- lef committee, told her if she con- to stop them and to procure post- Gated checks employes are alleged to have given to the solicitor. Not a Written Order tributed five per cent of her salary, she would receive an increase in sal- ary to cover it. Statements by R. M. Stangler, a member of the relief committee, that | was that Mrs. Craig had been solicit “Was a written order placed in your/he discussed the contributions with minutes to that effect?” Lanier asked. | Kinzer and told the latter he “didn’t “It was not,” Williams stated em- | like it.” phatically. Warnings by Judge Andrew Miller Sinkler objected and asked that the|to the jury against persons seeking question and answer be stricken from|to tamper, and instructions to the the records. He was overruled andj jurors to report any such attempts Thorp entered a further objection on | immediately to the court. the grounds that “‘no knowledge exist-| Following his closing warning to the ed on the part of any of the other / jurors, Judge Miller adjourned court defendants.” until 10 a, m. Monday, when John L. “Is it your theory that the acts of | Williams, executive secretary of the one defendant, in a conspiracy case, |relief committee, will be recalled to must be brought to the attention of |the witness stand. other defendants?” the court inquired.| Saturday’s session closed the 12th “Have you any authority to that ef-|day of the trial. Close to 30 wit- fect?” nesses, including state and federal Thorp said he thought he had. The J officials, have been called by the gov- court told him to produce it. Thorp|jernment. More than 60 witnesses pored through the papers in his brief | have been subpoenaed by the govern- case and extracted a sheet from which |ment for the trial. he cited two cases. Judge Miller said} Called to the stand as the Satur- the citations were not pertinent to|day afternoon session of court started, the question involved. | Judge Christianson told of his ap- “Those are not sufficient for your|pointment to the federal emergency theory,” the court said. “Is that all|relief committee of which he became you have? It would be a great sur-|chairman. prise to me if you could find one.” He said the committee operated un- The court's decision on the legal |der the federal relief act of 1933, and point cast aside one of the defense’s /an act of 1932. R. M. Stangler, man- of near Van Horn. contentions regarding the status of ager of the Bank of North Dakota, Craig and Lee Nichols were the other members. Christianson said he is now ad- |ministrator of FERA for North Da- ‘kota. The first executive secretary of the Telief committee was E. H. Brant of !Linton, Christianson said. R. A. Kin- zer, one of the defendants, succeeded Brant in about March, 1933, served Until September to be succeeded by John L, Williams of Washburn, pres- ent secretary. Christianson recounted the duties of the committee, “Your actions as a committee were based in the main on figures fur- nished by the executive secretary?” Lanier asked him. “That's true,” was the reply. “Did your committee have anything to do with supervision over employes?” “No direct supervision,” was the answer. “Who does?” “The executive. secretary.” Heard of Pledges in Summer “In the summer of 1933, it came to your attention that emergency relief employes were being solicited?” Lanier queried. “That did come to my attention; yes, sir,” Christianson answered. The first report he heard of the solicitation, Christianson explained, ited for a pledge to “The Leader.” The in- formation came from Sherrard Ewing, then field representative in charge of relief work in several states. Asked whether he had heard that Solicitations were extensive, Christian- son replied that “no facts were given other than that complaints had been made to Washington.” Ewing wanted to take the matter up with Langer, Christianson said. “From that contact and conversa- tion with Ewing, did you get the idea that this trouble was being corrected?” Lanier asked. “Yes,” The next time he heard about the Solicitations was either in December, 1933 or January, 1934, Christianson said. By that time, he added, Ewing “had passed out of the picture,” be- ing assigned to another territory. Thompson called the matter to his attention, Christianson said by asking “do you know that contributions still being made by members of the office force?” “I said I certainly don’t,” Christian- son testified he told Thompson. Williams Investigates Christianson said John Williams, Present executive secretary, was called and “we asked him to check up and see if that was 50.” “Thompson said post dated checks added. Orders were given by relief committee to “see that they were re- turned.” Ewing and the time the matter was brought to your attention did you know anything of the collection of these monies?” Lanier asked. “I did not,” replied Judge Christian- son, “If I had, they probably would have been stopped.” “Was it part of the duties of the committee to go into the office of the emergency relief administration for the purpose of checking up and in- structing as to the conduct of the office?” Lanier continued. The an- swer was “no,” Lanier inquired “whose duty was it?” and the witness said it was “the executive secretary's.” “Did the committee make recom- mendations as to the employment of certain people in the office?” asked Lanier. Had Employment System “I don’t recall any except such as might have come from the field rep- resentative,” Judge Christianson re- plied. He explained that later a reso- lution was adopted by the state com- mittee that applications for employ- ment should be passed on by two inembers “largely because of the num- ber seeking employment.” “To whom did persons go for em- ployment?” Lanier queried. “I think the minutes of the com- mittee will show,” he replied, “that they went to the executive secretary.” Under cross- examination by George Thorp of defense counsel, Christian- son said he was first advised of his appointment by Ewing. His unofficial appointment was in January, Christ- ianson testified, and he received his formal appointment as a member of the committee March 2, 1933. He explained that he attended sev- eral meetings of the committee, but did not vote, as he had not definitely made up his mind as to whether he was going to serve. “I couldn't see my way clear,” Chris- tianson explained, “and I didn’t want to serve as chairman until I had de- finitely made up my mind.” Met With Group Contact with the committee was made by Governor Langer on three occasions, Christianson recalled on cross examination. Once, when Chris- tianson desired his signature on a tel-| egram to Washington urging more funds, and on another occasion when the governor came to them to dis-| cuss his objections to the appoint- ment of a certain man as 8 field rep-| resentative of the relief administra- tion. | | “Between the time you talked to decided to engage as field representa- tive—a person to whom the governor had personal objections. “The gover- nor met with us on that occasion,” Christianson said. The third time was a drouth plan- Bias meeting in September, 1933, he saic Some of the correspondence received by the governor would be referred to Christianson, while a great amount or other correspondence would be turned over to the secretary, Christianson testified. Ewing first told Christianson about solicitations among the employes, the witness said. “I think I first heard about it in June,” Christianson said, “for in August the committee passed the re- solution—I drew the resolution.” Christianson drew Thorp'’s atten- tion to the “fact that the resolution covers more than just solicitation— it requires all employes to abstain from all political activity.” son said he “supposed there was” be- cause of the large amount of that had to be done at that time. It was never brought to his attention, however, he said. ‘Thorp inquired, “Whomade estimates as to office necessities and who pass- ed on administrative expense?” Data Given by Secretary “The data,” the judge replied, “was furnished by the executive secretary.” “But the ultimate judgment was the committee's?” “Yes.” “Do you know of any instance when the governor changed any of the fig- ures that came from the office?” “I do not.” “When the matter of removing Mr. Kinzer came up, did the governor promptly consent?” The judge said there was no opposition to it. Christianson testified that no mem- bers of the relief committee drew sal- aries “as such.” He said that it was his understanding the committee He said the purpose of the resolu- tion was to keep the organization non- political—both field and administra- tive employes. “It was also a declara- tion of the policy of the committee,” Christianson explained. Committee Non-Political “Well, the, committee is non-politic- ceased to function with his appoint- ment under Harry L. Hopkins, the national administrator. He said he interpreted the change as placing control directly under Hopkins. Later in his testimony he qualified his statement to explain that Mrs. Craig was paid a $200 monthly salary al, isn’t it?” Thorp asked, “that is— it’s made up of various groups; IVA’s, Nonpartisans and other groups?” In reply to questions as to the per- sonnel of the committee, Judge Chris- as field representative. She was the only one to draw a salary, he said. “You and the governor had a dis- it?” asked Lanier. “Well, in a general way—that is— [at the suggestion tal Followint Judge ‘andrew Miller returned from« his chambers by Judge Christianson to announce that the latter wished to add a word of ex- planation to his former testimony. “you asked me,” Judge Christian- son stated, “when I had first heard of any solicitation in the office-ana I told you it was from Mrs. Craig. It. was following the solicitation that I talked to Mrs. Craig and she told me she had refused to contribute.” John E. Williams, executive secre- tary of the federal emergency relief administration of North Dakota since Kinger’s dismissal, Sept. 1, 1938, was’ next to take the stand. Produces Mrs. Scott's Checks Lanter asked him to produce the salary checks of Mrs. Edith Scott for the months of May, June, July and August, 1933. Williams unwrapped & large of documents and turn- ed over the checks to Lanier. After proper identification, Lanier offered them in evidence their purpose—“to corroborate Mrs. Scott's testimony that she had re- Lceived a reduction of $5 in her salary for August.” Also offered in evidence was an un- signed voucher covering Mra. Scott's salary for August. Christianson replied, “That's true.”|cussion regarding Kinzer—what was} Lanier asked Williams, “to state if . in your opinion there has not been an erasure on this voucher?” tianson said he understood it was/one of the things was a letter writ-| Sinkler objected to the question as made up without regard to political/ten by Kinzer to Hopkins—which | “calling for an opinion of a witness’ parties. was one of the reasons Ewing insisted and said, “the jury will be able to “Kinzer left the employ of the relief}on his retirement. The letter was | decide.” administration about September 1?” Thorp asked. The answer was “Yes.” “Now you took up the matter of Kinzer’s removal with the governor, didn’t you?” Thorp queried. Judge Christianson said he did, after talk- ing with Ewing at Washington, D. C., by long distance telephone. He said he had asked the governor if the ap- pointment of John E. Williams to re- place Kinzer would be objectionable to him. The governor said it wouldn't, the jurist testified. In his telephone conversation with Ewing, Judge Christiahson explained, Ewing said “We should not appoint Persons to the office who would be objectionable to the governor.” Judge Christianson stated that it was the policy of the state committee to have all bills for administration of relief work passed upon by two mem- bers. This applied to salary vouchers as well. “Was any overtime ever paid to e1 very critical—it criticized very sev- erely an action of the committee which had been undertaken on recom- mendation of the field representa- Lanier withdrew the question and accepted the suggestion. “Don’t worry. The jury will see it,” he said. The jurors carefully scrutinized the ‘voucher. A certain person had been suggested Ployes of the office during the sum. tive.” Secretary Recommended Wage Williams also was asked to produce Salaries of employes were fixed by | minutes of the state relief committee the committee on recommendation of }for March 9, 1933 and for a meeting the secretary, with the exception of jof August 15, 1938 “designating the the salaries of Mrs. Craig and of the| Policy of the committee.” secretary, Christianson said. After the jury had accepted salary The letter showed Kinzer was ‘‘so| vouchers offered as exhibits by completely out of sympathy with the}government, the court announced aims of the administration that it}recess until Monday morning. was impossible to retain him in aj A new bailiff took charge of responsible position,” Christianson | jury over the week-end. is said, Burau, former sheriff of Burke Following Christianson’s testimony,(ty. The judge told him he he stepped from the witness chair and |duties: One to see that walked around the bench, to be met jhave all the conveniences by Presiding Judge Miller. The two /forts allowed by the rules of clasped hands, and Judge Miller in-/and marshal’s office; the vited him to a chair beside him. For a few moments the court was treated to the spectacle of ti & tie ghlg Uli con’ y from. tf —it takes good things. —the mild ripe tobaccos we buy for Chesterfield mean milder better taste. —the way they are made means Ches and smoke cool. tobacco..in most places. _ is the largest-selling ci good things to make they grow tobacco folks know that mild ripe tobaccos ate bought for Chesterfield. And because Ids are made of the right kinds of to- terfields burn right —it means that down where ee ha Two-Game Baseball Series Dickinson vs. Bismarck Tuesday & Wednesday, June 5 & 6, 6:30 P. M. _ Official vention Dance Bismarck Baseball Park For V. F. W. and — at DOME bacco, it is a milder cigarette, @ cigarette that tastes better. There is no substitute for mild, Spanish War Veterans TONIGHT