The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-03-30
EQUITY HEAD H|E|:||
'DODCES PROBE
INTO AFFAIRS
]. M. Anderson on Stand Pressed
for Facts Asks Committee to
Investigate Chamber
HEARING NEARLY BREAKS
UP IN GENERAL sQUABBLE
Letters From Farmers Criticizing
Equity Methods Are Read
at Hearing
ASSOCIATED Press.)

St. Paul, March 3O-Sweeping de-
nial that the Equity Cooperative eX-
change is selling majority OF its
grain to scalpers and charges OF un'
fairness on the part Of the special
legislative investigating committee
were made before that hody today
by j. M. Anderson, president of the
Equity.
Hot words grew into a flame of dis
senson which again blocked prog
ress. New charges and counter
charges flew between Chairman "A. +.
Teigen and representatives OF the
Equity.
Could Not Give Data.
The climax was reached when Mr..
Anderson, prodded for information
which he could not provide ofhand,
dramatically declared:
This committee has spent two
weeks belittling the Equity exchange.
How tabout your promise to investi-
gate the Minneapolis Chamber Of
Commerce and the Duluth Board OF
Trade? 1t seems to be the object of
the committee to rersecute the Equl-
ty!"
"Stenographer, strike out Ander-
sons statement" Teigen ordered.
Gets Dramatic.
"But you can't" brokeAip Anderson,
"fBut you cant strike It from the
knowledge of the people of the North
west, thank God"
After Teigen had questioned the
ability of the Equity directors in
choosing Anderson, the latter shout,
ed over protest of the chairman, 81
dare say that the stockholders will
choose the next president of the
Equity, and not this committee
Anderson intimated further that
the committees investigation was be
ing guided by the hand of politics.
To offset this statement, Teigen
dictated lengthy statement. outlin
ing the objects of the committee and
read letters from farmers into the
record, criticizing the Equity.
Mr.. Anderson testified that an &C
count Of 100000 with the G. c. Cham
bers Grain company was secured by
grain belonging to that company
which the Equity holds. Other out
standing accounts ranged from only
$4,000 to $4,000 each, he declared. if
all were secured by grain tickets as
signed by milling companies.
Questioned as to whether most OF
the Euuity's outstanding accounts
were insecure brought sharp denial
from Mr.. Anderson.
Saws Prices Better.
Mr. Anderson testified that - per
cent of the Equity grain is sold to
country mills and that the average
price paid is better tnan that paid
by the Minneapolis Chamber of Com
merce.
1--WE do sell grain to the elevators
if the elevators give the higher
PRICE," he added.
Charges that the Equity was with
holding witnesses were renewed.
Members OF the committee denounc'
ed the failure of the accourtant who
prepared the Equity balance sheet to
he furnished today. 1t was explained
that he had been called to North Da-
kota, but would testify when he re-
turned
Won't Recognize Manahan.
The chairman on several occasions
refused to recognize James A. Mana
han, attorney for the Equity.
Magnus Johnson, vice president OF
the Equity, took the stand and declar-
ed he had a suspicion that Teigen
was trying to "ruin the Equity" John
son admitted the Equity livestock
business was conducted at a small
loss, but charged it to attacks Of dis
charged employees, investigation law
suits and other troubles.