The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-08-14
$500 GIFT TO
RED CROSS IS
CULPRIT'S FINE
John Johnson Who Approached
Burleigh County Draft Board
Dealt With Leniently
OFFICIAL COMMENDED

$lOO you gave to the local board in
combination with $100 more to the To-
cal Red Cross, will enter an order
to discharge the case against you"
were the words of Judge .Amidon In
federal court this morning in dismiss
ing the case of the United States
against John Johnson, Grass Lake
township farmer charged with offer
ing bribe to the local board in or
de rthat his son might be exempted
from military duty rs n r4.
Z This case has attracted considerable
attention because of the fact that it is
the first of it's kind in this part of
the state. Careful investigation was
made both by United States Attorney
M. A. Hildreth and Judge Amidon be
fore any disposition of the case was
had. Mr.. Hildreth in federal court
this morning moved that the informa-
ton against, the defendant be dis
missed In his address/to the court
Attorney Hildreth paid the local board
high tribute for their part in the af-
fair. complimenting them for then
prompt action in bringing the case be-
fore the public.
Judge Amidon in his charge said:
"This is the first time charge of
this kind has been brought before this
coWt. l wish to be quite clear and
specific in. what say. Mr.. johnson is
charged with offering to pay. the sum
Of $500 to the local board that his son
might be exempted from military SER
vice. The conduct. of the board from
beginning to end has been clean and
high minded: They took prompt ,ac.
ton in order to bring this matter be-
fore the public and they showed high
principles and good sense. These men
are working in fields where much dis
cretion is required. They must use
their own Judgment based on facts.
People get fragments of truth and
think their sons are being treated un-
favorably and that partiality is being,
shown. It is time when people say
fierce things without knowledge. The
time is not far off, hope when we
will be more calm and less willing to
Judge our fellow men with severity.
The Great Teacher once said. He that
saith Of his brother, "Thou Fool' Is In
danger of hell fire wonder wha:
He would say If He was on earth to-
= "n'l heard the accusation, Thou
Pro.German, Thou Disloyalist?' "
"The board acted wisely in bringing
the matter to the court. in OHder that
the matter could be handled publicly.
We have all looked into this case and
are of the opinion that Mr. johnson
acted through ignorance, and misin-
formation. with no criminal intent /
In discharging Mr. Johnson, Judgsf
Amidon said: 4
II am convinced you had no intell-
ton of bribihg the board but desired
to substitute sum Of money in lieu
of your son. It was wrong on your
part You did it partly through poor
advice thinking that by the paying of
money your son could be exempted
from military service. Under the
present conscription act the question
OF money cannot enter. The sons Of
rich and poor stand upon the same
eqality. There is no possibility where
wealth can buy an exemption from
military service The United States
of America needs and calls on every
son between the ages of 2l and 81
to step up to the line on basis of
absolute equality Birth, culture. ed
ucation and fortune are all blotted ou:
and all men stand together in com.
mon service in common need.
Johnson paid over 500 to r. D. Hos
kins which with the 500 in the hands
of Sheriff French made contribu-
ton of 5000 which was given to Mrs.
y. L. Conklin. secretary Of the Bur-
leigh county Red Cross chapter. and
placed to the credit of the Red Cross