The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-02-07
0 be there, which I fee, was our duty.

to be there, which fee! was our duty,
That was all.
Il met Mr.. Smith at the city hall
door and with Sheriff Ross the four
of us walked to the auditorium. When
we went in. Mr. Smith went ahead Of
us to say something to the chair. I
didn't know what he as going to do
or say. was thirty or forty feet
away from him. ,~~ .
when came up on the platform to
separate LOTUS and Grover I was do
ing my duty as an officer and credit
able witnesses have told you that if it
hadn't been for the officers there would
have been a riot right" III
Scathing Arguments.
At tae conclusion. both Mr.. Lernke
and Mr.. Bingham made brief argu-
ments to the commission. Both argu-
nents were scathing. Il. =.
Mr.. Lenke felt that much Of Chief
Blngham's testimony was inconse-
quential and had no bearing on the
case. that the chief had indeed acted
in a manner unbecoming in an officer
OF the peace, and contrary to the laws
OF North Dakota and the peace Of the
city of Fargo, that he had disgraced
the uniform he wore, that the eyes Of
the people of the state were on him
and that his continuation in office re-
flected on the city Of Fargo and its ad-
min1stratlon, and many other things
like that
Mr.. Bingham was equally scathing
in his remarks. though he said he was
no legal orator. He said he had never
heard Of an attorney coming into court
Or any place and reading his uues-
tions, all of which were leading and
merely called for opinions, requiring
only monosyllable answers. He said
Mr.. Lemke, as an attorney was dis
grace to the bar of North Dakota.
Mr.. Lenke made an equally strong
rebuttal, in which he said that he had
once favored Mr.. Bingham for chief of
police and had signed his petition for
that office. Here he was interrupted
by Commissioner Jordan, who quiet
ly informed him that no petition re-
questing Mr. Binghams appointment
had ever been presented.
The commission then adjourned, on
motion of Commissioner Stern. The
decision will be made known later.
complalnant's Last Witnesses.
The last witnesses for the compIain-
ant were called after the noon hour
recess yesterday afternoon. The first
called to the chair was G. L. Nelson,
editor of The Cooperative Herald the
official organ of the Cooperative ex-
change in this city and state. In the
main his testimony was corroborative
Of that of the complainant,
Mrs. Nelson was next called. She
told, much the same story regarding
her view Of the squabble. Mr.. Travis,
who was called next, stated he did not
see all that happened, as when the
anticipated trouble happened he rush
ed to one of the doors and opened it
in order to give all the women in the
audience an opportunity to get out
safely.
Charles Swartz stated that he
heard Chief Bingham say % shut up
and that in his opinion the audience
felt insulted when the chief did not
endeaVor to quell the disturbance. He
animation that he himself was not in
suited, but enjoyed a rather good time
with all the fireworks.
Max Blatcliford told much Of the
same story told by Mr.. Anderson.
A. M. Baker Heard.
A. M. Baker wen Konwn newspaper
man in this city and manager Of The
Co operative Herald, stated that he
did not see Chief Bingham strike Mr..
Anderson, as claimed, but it was his
opinion that the trouble could have
been averted had the chief prevented
Mr.. Smiths interference.
\ LAAG LNCLT
L Ing for yoa,T Mr.. Bingham, said Mr..
Baker, addressing the accused during
the cross examination. Il sympathize
with you deeply, for I'realize that they
have gotten you in a most unenviable
position. / think you are an efficient
officer, doing your conscientious duty
and wouldn't want any word of mine
to do you an injustice"
Secretary Hardy's Story.
When the complainant rested, J. P.
Hardy, secretary of the Fargo Com
mercial club, was the first witness
called by the accused. MIR. Hardy told
the story of the rental Of the auditor
ium to, the representatives of the
Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce
and his part in informing the repre-
sentatives Of the Society Of Equity of
the rental of the hall for that night.
when we were first approached for
the rental Of the auditorium for that
even, I called UP Mr.. Smith by phone
said Mr., Hardy. land together we went
down to the Grain Growers conven-
ton to consult President Worst and
find out definitely whether the conven-
ton would be- over by that time or If
they would still have any use for the
hall. 'f E.f-ea @ IL O.
"President Worst informed us that
the convention would be over some
time between 4: 80 and S o'clock, as 1t
always had been in the fifteen years
history of the Grain Growers associ-
alton, and that there were only three
addresses on for the afternoons pro-
graInme, SO that he could no reason
why the Grain Growers should need
the use of the auditorium after that
hour. .., ...:... -
I'm the afternoon was informed by
Mr. Smith that the chamber Of COM
merce representatives who had rented
the use Of the auditorium that eve
ming, had reported that a filibusteI
had been started for the purpose of
continuing the meeting over until the
evening session. He asked me to go
down and inform them that the hall
had been rented. ,- -.-,>e~-.. .-as.~---eis =
What LOTUS Said.
"When / approached the platform in
the auditorium, Mr.. Anderson was just
finishing speaking. A man whom / did
not know, but from all descriptions
presumably Mr.. LOTUS, insisted that
Mr.. Anderson continue talking. But
Mr.. Anderson called on another speak
er and came over to talk to me.
IT told him the hall had been rented
and he said they had the use Of the
hall until the following morning on
authority from President Worst. L in
formed him i questioned that very
much as 7 had consulted President
Worst that noon. rs
1.-THE man who was presumably Mr.
Lotus then came toward me and said
| If you want MS to get out, you'll have
| to throw us OUT I replied to Mr.
Lotus that was not there to throw
them out, but had come merely to ad-
wise them that the hall had been rent
ed He answered, We'll, that's all the
answer you'll get from u.s.
| Mr.. Hardy then told of what CONVEX