The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-07-06
BRINT0N GIVEN
LONG GRlLLlNG
lN:HlS TRIAL
States Attorney Subjects Him
to Cross-Fire Questions
on Many Deals
DEMANDS EXACT TIME
Prosecutor Seeks to Pin Witness
to Exact Time of Many
Transactions

AlLCL UClHe SuUJCCICu W IHiSC-AouA
cross examination when his perjury
trial was resumed yesterday afternoon
in district court j. w. Brinton was
again grilled by J. J. Weeks, special
prosecutor, all during morning ses-
sion today.
Prosecutor Weeks attempted to trap
the witness with innumerable ques-
tions concerning the exact times Of
his purported questions concerning
League paper" he said was brought
into the Bank of North Dakota and the
conversation and controversy Brinton
said obtained during the period when
the paper was under discussion and on
other matters. Brinton proved to Ea
a willy witness insisting or explaining
many of his answers in detail.
Inquiries Into Deals.
Opening his cross-examination to-
day Weeks sought to obtain from Brin-
ton his reasons for CHASING the Hast
ings-Kimball company, Federal In
vestment company and similar com
panies which had made loans from the
Scandinavian-American bank Of Fargo
as League corporations"
The Federal Investment company
Brinton asserted was identified as 4
league concern by him because of what
Townley had told him and he added
that it had obtained loans from tile
Scandinavian bank and the Consumers
United Stores company.
The Hastings-K -Kimball company, lie
asserted, was further identified as a
league company because it had oper-
ated League banks" He was ques-
toned as to why he called the Farm
ers bank of Lisbon a "league bank
and Brinton declared It had been or
ganized by league leaders. He was
asked to name one and named Ray
Craig, former state manger Of the
league. .
"Is Craig league leader now?''
Brinton was asked.
well, he drew $4,000 year and
expenses-I guess he was leader
Brinton retorted.
lFOuDc VlJn company
Weeks tried to draw from Brnton
an admission that he drew on the Con-
sumers United Stores company for his
personal account from Beach and Bel
field. Brinton denied this and later
declared he would explain the entire
deal If the states attorney wished
Townley, he said, explaining the deal
wanted to get control Of newspaper
in Beach. He sent Brinton there
Brinton said that he took currency
which he obtained from the Scandina'
vian bank because people of Beach did
not want league paper and the deal
was to be put over not as a purchase
for the league. The deal failed, he
said, but later he said he returned t
Beach and purchased a paper on ac
commodation dates signed by Town
ley, himself and j. r. Waters.
Weeks also sought to draw from
Brinton admission that the TownleS
letter introduced in the trial, In which
Townley told Brinton to "hold his
breath for while" and to talk over
the consumers store proposition with
Lemke and Keyes. latter Nonpartisal
league treasurer, referred to charges
made against Brinton that he hat
wrongfully taken money. Brinton de-
MED this, but declared he was charged
with not turning over records anc
notes as demanded.
erinton Grilled
J. w. Brinton, finishing his testi
many in his own behalf temporarily
shortly after his perjury trial was
resumed yesterday afternoon, was
subjected to three and half hour
cross-examination by J. J. Weeks
special prosecutor the crosse exam
ination being resumed this morning
The cross-examination developed
into a battle of wits between the
witness and the attorney for the
state, with Mr.. Weeks complaining
that Brinton evaded direct answers tc
his questions and Attorney F.. Sueul
protesting to the court that the
court was missing his client.
The states attorney tried to tangle
Brinton as to the question Of time
and his various alleged conversations
at the time 100000 of League paper
and other paper was brought to the
Bank of North Dakota from the Scan
dinavian-American bank.
Jurors we're more comfortable thar
at any time since the trial opened or
June %. The coure room was coolei
and for the first time the electric fal
was not turned directly upon tn
jurors.
Disappointed, he Says
Brinton admitted that he had beel
CONTINUED on PAGE Five)