The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-05-02
CHARGES OF DIS
LOYALTY not TRUE
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
EXONERATES WELL KNOWN
GAINESVILLE CITIZENS.
FULL INFORMATION is GIVEN
CHAIRMAN LADNER OF ST.
CLOUD MAKES REPORT OF
FINDINGS PUBLIC.

During the month of February a
sensational story charging number
OF the prominent citizens of Paynes-
Vile with disloyalty was given wide
circulation over Stearns county by the
press and citizens. The story appeared
to be well founded. AN investigation
OF the charges by c. F. Ladner, chair
man of the county safety commission
has proven conclusively that the
charges were absolutely without foun-
dation. The Herald did not give pub
Lefty to the story at the time, bu- -
( lieving that justice should be done any
citizen who has been wronged we
gladly publish herewith the findings
of Mr.. Ladner in connection with his
investigation:
To the Public: In the month of
February, wide publicity was given
through the newspapers of charges re-
{ fleeing upon the loyalty Of Anton
Schmit and w. E. Schultz, President
and Vice-President, respectively of the
Security State Bank of Paynesville,
and Rev. Rachel of Paynesville.
Among the charges made was one,
that the Security State Bank of
Paynesville had made no purchases of
Liberty Bonds, and another, that Rev.
Rachel had exerted his influence
against the proposed increase in crops
and another, that they had been plot
ting against the Government.
These statements and charges were
given publicity without my knowledge
or consent, and so far as 1 have been
informed, without the knowledge or
consent Of the State Safety Commits
sion. have been requested by S,iese|
men to investigate as to the facts, and
to make public Statement covering
my conclusions.
The statement that the Security
State Bank of Paynesville had at that
time made no purchases of Liberty
Bonds is untrue. / find that the Bank
in May, 1917, subscribed $1,000 of
the first issue of 31s per cent Liberty
Bonds, through the First National
Bank of ST. Paul, and have seen the
original letter of acknowledgment of
that subscription, dated May 25th,
1917, signed by President E. Fl. Bailey |
of the First National Bank of st. Paul.
In the second Liberty Loan drive, the
Bank purchased $1500.0O of Liberty
Bonds. The Bank has carried ever
since the first loan drive, as part of
its assets, 100000 of Liberty Bonds
which was increased in the second
drive up to $2500.00 of Liberty Bonds,
and in the third drive, by reason of
the additional $5,O00.00 subscription
then made, the Banks holdings of
Liberty Bonds were increased to ST.
10000. In February of this year the
Bank also had $5,000.000 y. S. Treas
ury Certificates, which line has been
increased to over 100000 of U. S.
Treasury Certificates at the present
time. In addition to that, the Bank
has organized a War Stamp 100000
Club, composed of over ITO members,
who have taken Government War
Stamps pursuant to their pledges,
amounting to more than $11,0O0lOO
Rev. Rachel and the members of
his family subscribed to $4,000 of the
first Liberty Loan issue, $4,000 Of the
second, and $4,000 of the third, be-
sides substantial investment in War
Savings stamps. Mr.. Finger subscribed
to $4,000 of the second issue of
bonds and had these bonds at the time
of the so-called investigation.
do not find support for the charge
that Mr.. Schmit, Mr.. Schultz, Mr..
Finger, or Rev. Rachel were or are
disloyalists.
In the last Liberty Loan Drive in
the county, Mr.. Finger, the Paynes-
vile merchant, and a SON of Mr..
Schmitt were members of my COM
mittee in Paynesville. Another son of
Mr.. Schmitt was a member of the
committee for the Town OF Lake
Henry. Very efficient WORK was done,
and both localities went over the top.
make this statement to correct
the injustice that was most certainly
done these men.
Dated, St. Cloud, Mimi, April 27th'
1913.
CHAS. F. LADNER,