Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-18
CEDAR RAPIDS LAWYERS PUNISH
ASSOCIATE ACCUSED OF
DlSLOYALTY.
SEEKS TO RESIGN TO
ESCAPE HUMILIATION
Bar Association Refuses to Accept
Resignation and Proceeds to Expel
kratz From Membership-Attorney
John c. Leonard to Be Given Hear-
ing on Similar Charges.

Cedar Rapids, May 1s.-Following a
trial conducted in cool and deliberate
manner. the procedure of which was
not different from what 1t would have
been if conducted before the highest
court in the land, Lenuel NJ. Kratz
was today ordered expelled from mem
bership in the Linn County Bar AS
ISOLATION by unanimous vote Of fifty
nine members of the association. II
addition i was voted TO submit the
evidence against Kratz. in which he is
charged with making d!sloyaI and sed.-
tious statements against the govern
ment ard in favor of Germany, before
the United States district attorney. Il
the district attorney so decides. Kraft
case VIII be laid before the federal
grand jury at the September session.
How II Was Done
Following the calling Of the meet
ing 10 order by President Henry
Rickel. Judge Milo P Smith was seated
on the bench in the superior court
room as presiding officer, TO pass on
questions OF procedure. 1t was finally
uCN!N'u N4lal a NOkt NDAItA Dt AhNNll VA
the question as 10 whether Kratz was
guilty OF the charges brought against
him. and whether he should he ex-
PEELED. 1t was also decided that ma
joritr of all the members of the asso-
citation would constitute quorum and
that a majority of those present and
voting would determine the outcome.
1t was decided alec that the vote would
be taken on cali Of the roll and not
by secret ballot
kratz Tries To Resign.
.tet5T the matter OF procedure were i
settled upon there was presented to
the association a long, typewriter |
statement made ny Kratz. in which ne |
denied some If the more serious |,
charges but admitted that ne had |
been wrong and had said too much. !
He said that Il was his desire TO he |
loyal, and that he had not committed |
any overt act or acts: also that ii Wa
easy for people to misunderstood and |
statements. He claimed |
that he had not been guilty OF any in
territorial disployalty, and said it would |
be his purpose In the future 10 re-
frain from making statements OF the
kind he had been accused. He closed |
his statement by rendering his resigna-
tion az a member OF the association.
Practically the only arguments
which came up during the entire meet
ing-beyond deciding on the method
of procedure-we-e relative to accept
ing his resignation. One attorney
made a motion to accept the restgna-
ton. but the motion received no sec
ond. A motion was then made TO re-
tect the resstgnati ton and proceed with |
the trial, and this carried. The |
charges against kratz were then read |
and evidence produced in support OF
the charges.
At the conclusion of the taking Of
evidence a vote was taken. There |
were fifty-ntne members present, and |
there were ftty-rine votes in favor OF
expulsion. The trial was private and |
newspaper men were not allowed In |
the court room. Attorneys who were
present. however, said that the meet |
ing was one OF the most patriotic ever
held in Cedar Rapids, and that stir
ring patriotic talk by James H. Ire
win in support Of a vote OF the entrrs
association or the question Of expul-
sion was applauded In a manner
" llF!l CCIlC nc IIecli lux D-V-NS'
Leonard Hearing Wednesday.
The hearing in the case Of John c.
Leonard, who is also charged with |
making disloyal statements and 81
committing disloyal acts by refus!n. |
to treat Red Cross workers and So
licitors courteously, and by sending !
money TO Victor Berger in Milwaukee, !
has been postponed until next Wed