The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1920-04-30

and know how the business is oeing run
and how much dividend is coming to
them on their investment? The follow.
ing ls the Farmers Press report Of the
case:
The Mott newspaper case, which re-
quired two and half days to try, was
closed late Wednesday when Judge Cot
fey Of jamestown rendered decieion in
favor of the league interests.
The hearing involving the ownership
of the HettinRer County Farmers Press,
a Nonpartisan league controlled news.
paper formed from combination of the
Mott Spotlight and the Mott Pioneer
Press through the agencies Of job Wells
Brinton, began in the Morton county
district court this week, Judge j. A.
Coffey of jamestown presiding.
The case has been very interesting,
tracing the organization and functioning
Of the three papers, of the part the
league took in establishing the Hettin-
ger County Farmers Press and how the
league controlled paper operated after it
was organized by Brinton. At times, the
arguments Of the attorneys became very
bitter and Judge Cotfey was called upon
repeatedly to overrule motions made by
the leagues counsel defending its &C,
tions.
QUESTIONS
Through this suit an effort IS being
made to determine the ownership of the
Hettinger County Farmers Press. Some
Of the questions involved in the contest
are the following:
Just how did Harry B. Dunbar be.
come owner of sll 500 worth of stock in
the Mott Pioneer Press?
just where dlu the value ur Gn1 pant
increase from $4,000 to s25.CoO over
night?
Just where do 253 farmers get off and
what have they to show for their money?
just what are the ethics of the legal
profession?
And who owns the Hettinger County
Farmers Press?
The testimony brought out the facts
that:
Orr, Truesdale and Helming were
named directors of the Pioneer Press
by agreement with the editor,
Elmer Enge.
Enge died and Brlnton took over the
paper.
No stockholders meeting was called
for over a year.
The old directors were advised they
were responsible for the conduct of the
About 253 Hettinger county farmers
had subscribed for stock in the Hettin-
ger County Farmers Press which was to
have been formed out of the old Pioneer
Press company.
None of the farmers had received stock.
The directors seized the company and
its books.
The books showed Harry B. Dunbar
personally, James Church. o. H. Op-
land and James Bannon to be the sole
holders OF the $11, 500 worth of common
stock.
FARMERS OUT OF LUCK
The farmers had never smell.
The directors had secured opinions
from Attorney A. B. Crane and Attorney
Hans jacobson of the firm of jacobson
4 Murray, that they we're responsible
and in duty bound to serve as directors
until successors were named.
Fearing that they might be held for
The amounts farmers had subscribed for
stock and which they had never received,
said stock being held IN the name of
Harry b. Dunbar, personally, the direc.
ors selzed control.
oUsTED BY COURT
They we're ousted by an order from
Judge Lembke of Carson, appointing
james Bsnnon as receiver.
To protect the Pioneer Press company
The holders of preferred stock and the
Earmor subscribers to stock. F. g. Orr
.s secretary, issued checks in payment
II retainer to Lawrence & Murphy, law.
vers, Fargo, and action was brought to
,ust the recei YER.