The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-06
He Is Alleged to Have De-
Tended Sheriff Ladner.
Also Reported to Help Fischer
xvOid the Draft.
ROUND UP ALL BANKERS
Bank Commissioners After All
Who Do Not Aid.
Louis B, Leach Here to See
Governor Today.

The state bank commissioners Of
flee is to use the drag net in round
ing up disloyal Kansas bankers, ac-
cording to a statement today by Wal
ter E. Wilson, state bank commits
sioner. Reports have come to Will
sons office concerning failure or re-
fusal of at least several bankers to do
their full duty in war activities. Re
ports sent to Topeka today have also
directed criticism against at least one
member of the state Iegislature-Sen-
ator Benjamin Brunneh of Wamego,
Pottawatomie county.
Disloyalty charges were freely dis
cussed in number of state depart
ments today. The discussion was en-
livened by the visit to Topeka today
of Louis B. Leach, deposed president
of the Wamego State bank. Leach
came to Topeka to tell his troubles to
Governor sCapper and Commissioner
Wilson. Leach spent a half hour with
the governor and sought a conference
with the state bank commissioner,
altho he was unable to see Wilson
until this afternoon. The deposed
banker was obdurate. He didn't seek
to conceal his resentment toward the
action of Wamego people, altho
sought to make light of Wilson's action
IN ordering MS removal from Off1ce.
Investigate All Cases.
Efforts to rid Kansas banks of Of
ficials who fail to do their full duty
in helping to win the war, will be
made by the state bank commits
sioner. Already names of several
bankers who failed to respond to
local demands for liberty bonds and
Wilson. An investigation of these
cases is being made. In several in
stances actions of bank officials in
refusing to meet demands or in CIV
ing half hearted support to war pro-
grams, have crippled banks by caus-
ing withdrawal Of deposits. * :
Discussing his plans today, Wilson
stated that he would not make pub
lie names of men charged with dis
loyalty or refusal to give earnest
support to the war activities until he
was ready to act. While it was not
stated that further custer orders
were to be issued, 1t was admitted
that an investigation was under way
and action would be based on infor-
nation secured.
While several Kansas bankers are
! under charges of disloyalty or half
hearted loyalty. at least one Kansas
banker is suffering because of his
loyalty He is E. w. Andrich. cashier
of the Farmers State bank of
Wheaton, Pottawatomie county.
He Kicked on Exemptions.
Pottawatomie county has been listed
by a number of people as the Stacker
county of the state. A number of dis
| loyalty charges have been made con-
cerning people in the county. Andrich
i was the government agent in Pot
tawatomie county and was appointed
to investigate exemption claims. Ac-
tions by the county board in granting
! exemptions to a number of young
| men, aroused protests from Andrich
and he appealed the cases to the dis
i trict board. This action is said to
have resulted in the withdrawal of a
| large amount of business from the
| Wheaton bank. Now, 1t is reported.
Andrich is looking for new location.
| While no direct charges have been
made, complaints have been sent to
! Topeka concerning the support of a
| disloyal element by Senator Benja-
min Drummer. He is a physician
in Wamego, the home town of Banker
Leach. When disloyalty charges were
| lodged ag- inst ',eriff c. D. Ladner
because of alleged excessive exemption
| board services, Senator Brunner is re-
| ported to have come to his defense.
It is also reported that State Senator
| Brunner aided Floyd E. Fischer, SON.
| ir-law of Banker Leach, in his en-
| deavor to secure a bomb-proof job in
evasion o. the selective draft. Sena-
|
| i the sta,e legislature in 1917 when
! he cast the only vote in the upper
! house against. t bone-dry law.
Leach Said to Be Wealthy.
In his visit to the state house today,
| Banker Leach did not attempt to Sc
cure reinstatement as president of the
! Wamego bank. He told Governor
Capper he could not afford to make
the Red Cross donation demanded by
a local committee. Leach had been
asked for $500, but the committee Of
fered to compromise and accept a
| contribution of s120. Leach told the
governor today that he offered to
| give 81 a month for a period of six
months He is said to be one of the
| wealthiest men in Pottawatomie coun-
,, ty and worth several hundred thou
| sand dollars.
| Leach bought $4,000 OF $4,000
worth of Liberty bonds. 1t is report
ed, however. that the bonds were con-
verted into cash and that the only
war securities held by Leach were a
few thrift stamps, which he is said
to have given his daughter as a grad
uation present.