The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-16

Mr.. Fox are not in q position to IN
terfere with my work in connection
with the National Nonpartisan
league.
A. Yes, sir. AS long as my ser
vices in a very general way direct
ing the work OF the Publishing com
Many ana the services Of the men
directly in charge Of the Publishing
COMPANY. as long as their services
are satisfactory to Mr.. Wood and
M. Fox. / presume they viii con-
tinue the arrangement. When IT Is
not they are in a position to make
any other arrangements they see
Q. They have the power to do
A. Yes.
O. But they haven't exercised it?
A No. we were very careful 10
see this publishing company was
orpanized BY men who believed IN
Inc work of this organization and
wanted to forward 1T, wanted TO 90
a. and would be fair and square ana
true to il. That, presume, Is the
reason why Mr.. Fox and Mr.. Wood
have never double-crossed us.
@. BY that. you mean these men
had q. very great zeal VI
in your Judgment .n.+
A. l wouldn't want to say thaI
I will leave that to them.
O In any event, the fact remains
that YOU al the head Of the Nation
al Nonpartisan league, control the
financial affairs Of this Nonpartisan
Publishing company. subject to the
exercise Of the power that rests
I'm these men to stop you IL they
want to?
A. Yes. sir.
q. Now, the books OF this con-
Germ, this Nonpartisan Publishing
company?
A. / might say in connection here,
lust as Mr.. Thomas Reyes and my
self handle the finances OF the Nom
partisan league. Subject to the power
Of the executive committee OF the
National NonpaTtisan league, Mr..
Lemke. Mr.. Wood, and myself; that
could he changed any time 1t WASH
handled properly.
Q. To suit them?
A. Yes.
o. But they have never chosen toI
EXPRESS their dissatisfact iOn, IL they
have any? So you and Mr.. Keyes go
right on drawing checks without
consulting these men every time you
A. Wei. I would like to explain
that.
Q. Do you consult them?
A. No. certain men draw stat
ed salary, and when we draw
check to pay 1t, we don't consult
them. II we put a new man to work
or any big or unusual expenditure
Of funds we have, they were quite
often consulted. -
o. Does this committee put It
down in writing, or is it merely oral
approval?
most
O, Nothing to show il the trus
tees here should want to go into
the books OF the concern and as
certain, as a matter OF fact, a Ger
tain expenditure was authorized BY
Mr.. Lemke, Mr.. Wood, and yourself
as the committee. we couldn't hnd
any record Of them?
A. Not formally authorized.
Q. Now. Mr.. Lemke lives In Far
go? /
A. Yes. sir, he lives in st. Paul
but his residence Is in Fargo.
Q. The same as you are now heI
has not been in st. Paul until re-
Gently?
A. Not until we moved our of
fee down there, and then about all
the time.
O. That is how long?
A. Less than a year.
O. And Mr.. Wood is in charge OF
some other line Of business?
81 mt a q. !
Q. Well, he doesn't spend much
time on that farm?
A. He superintendents the work
out on the farm.
Q. Mr.. Wood spends most Of his
time in st, Paul?
A. Yes. sir.
Q. Isn't he engaged IN some 9TH
er business?
A. He is and has been for wears
interested in the work OF the Equity
ORGANIZATION.
O. The Equity Exchange? A. Yes.
sir. He still continues his relations |
with that organization.
g. O. And he actually has some &C
tive capacity there that occupies n /
good deal of his time? The livestock |
and isn't e? A. I believe he is man !
ager of the livestock and I believe /
he is a member Of the board.
O. He is vice president, isn't he?
A. I don't know.
O. Well, it occupies a great deal ,
great deal Of his time? A. No, not .
a great deal. /
q. Does he devote great deal Of
his time to the management Of the |
league? A. Quite a |
great deal OF It. !
O. Is he in the same Offices with
you? A. Yes, sir.
@. He is vice president? A. He |
Is a. member Of the committee.
q. There is no Office Of viUe !
president? A. Two, Mr.. Lemke and
o. one president, and two vice
A. Yeu can put 1t that
way.
@. And the only way we could as
certain precisely the amount Of money
that has been turned over to this /.
Publishing company |
would be to get the books2 A. Yes,
q. And these books are in the pos
session OF Mr.. Keyes in st. Paul? a.
Yes, sir.
could show us exactly what the sit
nation is? A. Yes, sir.
q. And the checks OF the Nom
partisan Publishing company are
lrawn and signed by Mr.. Keyes? A.
Yes, sir.
q. He is the connecting link be-
tween all these organizations isn't
ne? A. He Is the man that signs /
he checks for all OF them, he ham
Hes most Of the money.
q. Now, this league exchange,
what is the nature Of It's business,
hat million dollar corporation9 A.
We'll. think had better explain that.
You understand / don't know much
lbout financial institutions and was
1ery clumsy in answering questions
IL that kind.
q. Don't answer anything you
ant answer. am asking you II you
Inow what the business Of the league