The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-02-07
Investigation Ended
With Testimony From
Worst and Witherow
President Worst Denied Allegations Made Against Him
That He Conspired to Assist Chamber Of Commerce
Branded Such Charges as Misunderstanding Wtherow Com
mended Behavior of Chief Bingham at Riot
Wtherow Said Lotus Called Grover Vile Names-Chief
#::~ Bingham Took Stand Again for Himself s>.@~

"The programme showed conclu
sively that we were to close on Friday
afternoon. There could certainly be
no other construction put upon it,
When Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Hardy called
at the auditorium just before the ad-
jouen of the Friday morning ses-
sion to ask if it would be all right to
rent the auditorium for that night,
told them so far as the grain growers
were concerned we would have no
further use of the hall, for our pro-
gramme closed with the afternoon ses-
sion. It was nothing to us if they,
rented the place nor. to whom they
rented it, We didn't care if they rented
1t for circus, an automobile show or
for negro Ministries.
"At the conclusion of the Friday
morning session, distinctly remember
announcing that this mornings ses-
sion virtually closed the Grain Grow
In the hands of the Society Of Equity,
and I hoped that all the farmers would
remain for that. This is all said, and
nothing more. We had no further in
terest in the matter as We had no con-
tract for the place that night.
Il was not in cahoots with Mr.. Har-
dy nor Mr.. Smith nor anybody else to
rent the place to the chamber of com .
merce to undermine the Society of
Equity. -
Told Lotus Wasn't There. e.,
II opened the afternoon programme
as the presiding officer. There were
three speakers, Mr.. LOTUS, Mr.. Nc
Carthy, and Mr.. Anderson. I was in
formed that Mr.. Mccarthy had failed
to arrive in the city. w.. .'-.....s 80
"Then called on George S. LOTUS
He did not respond. I called for him
twice. and was then informed that Mr.
LOTUS was not going to speak, as he
had been speaking SO much during
that week at meetings Of his own in
Assembly halls for three days, that
he would not be there that afternoon
$50 was asked to introduce Mr..
Greeley of Chicago, who talked for an
hour. Then l was asked to introduce
a man by the name of Kelly, who was
speaking when Mr.. Anderson appear
ed and asked me if it was time for
his address. i was tired and feeling
sick, so I turned the meeting over to
Mr.. Anderson to preside and left the
auditorium at ais o'clock. That was
the last knowledge had of the affair
until the next morning when I saw this
papers. 3,-ssr,a-ssasa- II. >
L EE..tYd Of the Convention.
.onteSid the convention closed at
the end Of the programme. No even
ing, session was provided for Had
Mr.. Anderson been fair and reasonable
he would have adjourned the conven-
-tion- at the end of the programme.
"A convention like the Grain Crow
a-s' which has no set constitution or
bylaws, Is a general convention In
tended hut for one purpose, and cer-
talnly rot intended for thu purpose
Of stock selling or anything of that
sort.
"Mr. Anderson's charging me with
selling out to the chamber Of COM
merce is Infamous and he knew it.
Refused Chamber of Commerce.
"a couple Of men approached me
and, asked permission to have the
chamber Of commerce speakers
heard on tho afternoon programme.
They said they were never recognized
by the Society Of Equity men to pre-
sent their own side Of the question
and desired to be heard.
"I told them thought 1t was indeed
a peculiar organization that would not
allow an open and fair discussion of
all sides Of a question and for my
own part would be glad to hear their
view but that they were not on the
programme, SO, could not speak that
afternoon unless they consulted the
officers of the Society of Equity. If
1t was all right with them, it would
be all right with me.
"They went away, but did not re-
turn, so do not know whether or not
they were extended the courtesy of
being heard.
Taken Advantage Of Crowds.
Mr. LOTUS and his followers have
come, here for several years. We
have always allowed them space on
our programmes, and at the same time
they have taken, advantage of our
crowds to exploit themselves by hir-
ing halls and attracting audiences
away from the Grain Growers ses-
sions.
But I have always tried to be the
fairest possible with them, even to the
point Of being solicitous for their best
advantages on the programme by CIV
ing Mr. Lotus everything. I don't
think Mr.. Anderson has been fair in
this case in saying I sold out to the
chamber Of commerce after all I've
done in the matter. -
I've. made many speeches over this
state among the farmers in favor of
the American Society of Equity"
But Mr.. Worst" interrupted Mr..
Lemke, counsel for the complainant,
you have never said anything for the
e.
Il didn't know anything about it's
operations" answered Dr. Worst. 81
am not familiar with its details at ALL
Whom did you give this space on the
programme to. the American Society
of Equity or the Equity cooperative
Eexchange?" inquired Commissioner
Stern Of the witness.
II dealt with Mr.. Anderson" replied
President Worst.
II am secretary and treasurer Of Che
Society Of Equity" said Mr.. Andersen
to Mr.. Stern. His letter to DR.. Worst
! introduced in the evidence, bore the
lletterhead of the Equity Co-operative
exchange Of which he is also an Off.
cial.
Chief Bingham Next.
Chief OF Police Bingham had onl,
introduced eight witnesses and Was
allowed to take the stand again tt
supplement some of his remarks OF
4 the stand yesterday afternoon, in Iier
OF another witness.
IT only wish to add to my testimony
/ that was called to the Gardner hote
early that Friday evening by { Mr.
/ Grover and some others who asked m,
| to go down to the auditorium thai
evening and help them take possession
i of the auditorium. refused to gt
i without writ of ejectment
.There was no conspiracy on m,
Ipart nor anybody's part SO far as
know to throw the people out OF tn,
hail nor to start a riot or break up
peaceful meeting. i simply heard ther,
might be trouble and told Captain