The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-05-08
STRONG DENIES
BRIBERY CHARGE;
MAY BE PR0BED
CONTINUED From Page one.D


against MIR Strong were read follow
ing the election OF officers in which
John Hope was chosen president and
Elliott Alton, republican and new mem
Der, was chosen vice president.
The allegations were contained in AL
affidavit in which its Signer, J. L
Porter, declared substantially that
Strong had demanded of J. w. Berry
new board member from the Fourth
ward and a candidate for the position
OF secretary OF the board OF education,
that Berry give him (Srong) $50 for
his vote in the secretaryship race.
Strong Issues Statement.
The circumstances under which the
charges develops were told today by
Mr. Strong IN written statement as
follows:
"Teh facts arc Mr.. Berry came into
my store on the date mentioned (May
81, found me at the desk and asked
TO see me. stepped back with him
about fifteen feet down the aisle, where
our conversation occurred Bill Payne,
an 'S9-er sat about twenty feet away
and heard a portion OF the converse
ton
81 told Mr.. Berry that | would sup
port Mr. Hope, Uohn Hope, for preSi-
dent of the hoard) because my bread
and butter lay in that direction. |
said that because a certain city COM
missioner had promised Immediately
after election to take care OF me as
soon as he could, and that person had
recently requested me to support Mr.
Hope.
"Mr Berry said that he wanted to be
elected secretary OF the board | cx-
planned that Mr. Nahlberg (W f. Nahl-
berg, another candidate for secretary
had offered 10 take the position at a
salary OF $50 Cpcr MONTH and employ
his own assistant which would cost
about $50. leaving 500 for salary |
explained that II would be necessary for
him to.mcct these terms, that he would
get $50 per month but would be com
PEELED to pay about $50 per month ior an
assistant
appeared Offended,
"iIc appeared highly offended and de
clared that he would not accept 1t Cthe
posltlon) on those terms and left in a
hut
lie said that he would DO YOU right
II | would support him at $50. re-
piled that wanted nothing, and that
what ! would do would be done in
ir,cnd'hipW
Who Tx mysterious Certain city
commissioner" is was not disclosed BY
Mr.. Strong. who stated verbally that in
addition to seeking his (Strong's) sup
port Tor secretary OF the board, Mr.
Berry requested him TO vote for G.. O.
Woodwork for president OF the board
OF education. Woodwork was defeated
by vote Of seven to two last night.
w A. Burdick, elected at the April
election from the outlying district, was
seated on the board by vote of 7 to /.
he attorney general has held that his
election was Illegal in that no provision
IS made Tor election OF board member
from an outlying district.
To Support Whiteford.
John Hope, new president. this morn
ing pledged his support TO J. A. White
ford, city superintendent. Mr.. Hop,
made II clear that insofar as he is con
cerned he will give no consideration tC
applicants for positions in the cit,
school system. All such matters mus
be handled by the superintendent ht
said, and all business matters by the
secretary OF the board of education.
Mr.. Hope expressed distress that tn,
Strong incident should have happened
but also declared that Oklahoma City
he believed, has seen the last OF faction
ism in the school board.