The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-19
POPE IS STlL PROBING
PUBLIC EXAMINER HOLDS STAR
CHAMBER SESSION WITH SIX
GENTLEMEN
GOVERNOR HAS NOT ACTED YET
Will Wait Until All the Findings
Are Before Him Before Max
ing Any State
ment,

Public Examiner Pope took another
forward step yesterday in his investiga-
ton of the recent tax refundment case
in the office of County Auditor Johnson
He held a star chamber in his private
office, in which he and six other gentle
men were the participants. These SIX
were Carl Ducius w. T. Cassidy, former
County Auditor James H. Burns, James
Schoonmaker, Harry Weiss and Louis
Ickler cashier of the American Exchange
bank. They were all subpoenaed on Fri
day afternoon through the Ramsey coun-
ty sheriff's office as forcasted by the
G O b e yesterday
The session was absolutely secret. Gen.
Pope positively refused to give out any
information concerning it, and none OF
the men queried by him was inclined to
disclose what took place. Gen. Pope sub
jected each witness to a regular yes and
no. examination, and the testimony was
taken down by a shorthand reporter COM
plete, and at once turned over for tran
scription so that there would be no de-
lay in having the matter ready to file
with the governor last night The ex-
aminations, of course, related to the re-
cent transactions In the county aud tors
office. in which the names Of some of
those examined have been involved. Gen.
Pope and County Auditor Johnson both
assert their desire and intention to have
the matter probed to the utmost depth.
Gov Van SAINT stated yesterday that
he had not then decided upon any action
in the case, and would not until all the
findings of the public examiner were be-
fore him. He is favorable to County
Auditor Johnson's determination, as ex-
pressed in his letter to the governor, Of
having the matter thoroughly sifted be-
fore any course is decided upon. The
governor intimated that he would have
something to give by noon tomorrow.
MAY INVOLVE LIGHTNER.
BY some it, Is held that the star cham
Der cross fire of yesterday was directed
along lines which may subsequently lead
to Mr.. Lightner, receiver of the Bank Of
Minnesota. AS this was a state bank, 1t
came under the jurisdiction Of the public
examiner and it is more than probable
that Gen. Pope will be interested in learn
ing the precise methods by which the re-
ceiver of a bank was whipped in a deal
in which the creditors of the bank were
interested The statement has been made
that the transaction was one In which
Mr.. Lightner got the "short end"
No doubt there is considerable credence
to be placed in this theory of Lghtner
being the object point of yesterdays pro-
ceedings. The first Investigate ton. of
course, pertained entirely to the affairs
of the county auditors office but since
there is a matter of 81 600 or $4,000, in
which the creditors of the defunct bank
would naturally feel a degree of interest
it would seem that this theory is not
far from being correct.
County Auditor Johnson was represent
ed at the hearing by Fred w, Zollman,
former assistant county attorney. 1t is
therefore evident that Mr.. Johnson, hav-
ing gone to the extremity of employing
an attorney, is decidedly on the defensive
in the case.