Grand Forks herald., 1917-01-11
LOCAL SITUATION IS
RECEIVING COMPLETE
ATTENTION IT'S SAID
N. Chilson, Formerly With
F. Drosky, Said to be
One of ''Spotters."

"Spotters," who, according to re-
ports. have been working for either
the Enforcement league of this city
or the County Option league. are Civ
ing evidence against East Grand
Forks soft-drink parlor proprietors
and other alleged Polk county violat-
ors of the liquor laws at the session
this week of the grand jury.
According to persistent reports, a
'spotter," who, 1t is said, secured en-
ployment here last fall, spent several
months in securing evidence against
East Grand Forks men. Reports also
say that the Enforcement league of
this city raised s1,1oo to secure eyi-
dence against alleged violators of the
liquor laws. The officers of the league
could not be located today to verify
the reports, although number of at
tempts were made. ~---
Chilson Is Named.
Reports declare that N. Chilson,
who was employed at the Frank Dros-
ky clothing store for a short time. is
the "spotter." Mr.. Chilson, according
November 10. Mr.. Drosky stated to-
day~that he had reason to believe that
Mr. Chilson was connected with the
enforcement league.
This afternoon The Herald COM
municated with Mr.. Chilson over long
distance telephone. He was located at
the office of the clerk of court in the
Polk county court house at Crookston.
He fatty denied knowing anything
about the East Grand Forks investi-
cations. He admitted being in the en-
ploy of Mr.. Drosky. but would say
nothing definite regarding the local
situation.
How are things going?" he was
asked first.
Fine" he replied enthusiastically,
but when he learned that his ques-
tioner did not have the password" he
refused to commit himself further.
Grand Forks situation was being in
vestigated, which indicates that he
had some inside information regard
ing the grand jury session. He also
said that "the work was progressing"
YOungquist Silent.
County Attorney'Y oungquist refus-
ed to make any statement. A Herald
him over long distance telephone this
morning.
81 can say. nothing about that" he
replied when asked regarding the re-
port that "spotter" had been at
work here.
Have any East Grand Forks men
been indicted?"
InOSe indictments are kept secret
until the men are arrested. Just as
soon as they are taken into custody !
will announce them"
He admitted that number Of local
cases were being investigated
Henry Mcfarland, who was arrest
ed here some time ago on a statutory
charge, will be taken before the grand
jury this afternoon, it was, said At, the
time of his arrest, Mcfarland admit
ted that he was County option
league spotter."
According to reports in circulation
in Crookston today Mcfarland de.
clared that he had been double
crossed" and was going to tell the
grand jury what he knew about the
''spotting" activities of the league. 1t
was said that Mcfarland claimed he
was promised $25 for every indict-
ment he secured, but that he had been
paid only 317 for IA indictments.
The grand jury, reports say, is maxi
Ing careful investigation of the malt
sales. 1t Is said that analyses of malt
sold here has shown more alcohol
than usually is contained in beer. The
prosecutor, 1t is said, is endeavoring
to prove that the malt is Intoxicating.