Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-25
LOTS OF MONEY OFFERS
IN NEWDERRY RACE
Witness Says Ncwbcrry's Aid Got
Democrat to Run in Opposi-
ton to Ford.

Grand Rapids, Mich, Feb. 25.--The
Grand Jury testimony of William j.
Nickel, indicted, manager for James w.
Helme, also indicted, who, il is charged,
was induced by Newbury political aids
to oppose Henry Ford on the Democratic
ticket, WAS testified to yesterday in the
Newherry conspiracy trial by Clare r.
Higbec, grand juror. Nickel, accord
ing To Higbee. testified:
IL was called into conference in Grand
Rapids by King, who introduced me Co
Floyd. They said they heard l WAS dis
satisfied with Ford's nomination on the
Democratic ticket and asked me what
thought OF getting up opposition to Ford.
Hefme's name WAS suggested, and ! WAS
asked to write to him. ! did so, but
Helme was opposed to running. Later,
at their request, | wrote again, and Helmc
was still opposed TO the DIAL. Then
was told II had no influence with Helme
they would get man in Lansing who did
have Influence, and could make Hclme
see the light"
Nickel said he went back to Fond du
Lac, Wis" continued Higbce, "and that
in short time he WAS called to Grand
Rapids again. Helme said nc had de-
cIded to run, but that the time for quail
flying was too short To get out petitions.
Floyd said the petitions could bc had in
twcnty-four hours. James j. DAVIS was
sent 10 the Great Lakes Training Station
for Helme signers. State Labor Com
mission Fletcher of Bay City had charge
there and George W. Welsh, State Rep
rescntativr, had charge in Grand Rapids.
Burt Cady of Port Huron, State Republi-
can chairman, was mentioned also by
Nickel, but he did not act. There was
no record of anything he did.
The petitions were gotten up and fled
on time.
Floyd told me. Nickel was further
quoted as saying that ] could have office
expenses Of $50 a month, all my expenses,
and that Helme could get $50 week for
his campaign. ] was paid around $500
or 5000.
Later Nickel told the jury that Floyd
had informed him IN Grand Rapids that
Samuel O Dell, member of the State utility
commission, at that time State treasurer,
had made Heime sec the light
The government contends that Helne
was paid $1,000 by some one for the use
of hls name
Littleton for the defense was severe
IN cross examination IN an effort to break
down Mickels grand jury testimony as
by Higbee.
George Lynch, Supervisor OF Mount
Forest, Bay county, gave testimony which
made by State Labor Commissioner
Fletcher If Lynch did not support New
berry. Lynch declared that although
the board of supervisors appropriated
money for stone road through Bay
Fletcher who was member OF
the stone road commission, told him that
# there WAS not good support for Newberry
in that township, there would be no stone
road.
A. h. Klamperam, Of Mlegan. SAID
Elmer T.. Smith, respondent, of kalama-
ZOO grand jury, told the grand jury that
he saw big roll of bills in the hands of
some of the Newherry managers at the
Detroit headquarters. about 81 900 they
said, and that the swag was 20 be divid-
I'd "
Smith was quoted as saving that he
received $500 10 5000 for his work among
societies He is manager of
The Michigan brotherhood of Hoeman
+. A. Stowe, editor and publisher of
.he Michigan Tradesman, testified that
lis paper was paid about $3.50 for adj
while only about S2l6, it is
'aid, was charged up in the campaign
Expense account Other testimony was
Produced to show that some advertising
accounts were not credited in
he filed expense account.