The diamond drill., 1921-10-29
SAYS CONVERSE
MISLED HIM
HIALMAR JOHNSON, BATES SUPER.
VISOR, IN DEFENSE
WORKED FOR TWO AGENCIES
Drew Pay From Power Company
Regularly and From Town.
ship in Same Month

~'sF sA SettS hNVutu
There is Just one thing that ash
Tor and that is that you make plair
that l am not seeking the removal ot
township officials on technical viola.
uons but because of downright steal.
Ing OF township funds" said /. w
Byers TO a representative OF The Dia-
mond Drill last Monday. II want you
to be present at the hearing tomorrow
and learn first hand the grounds upon
which / ask Mr.. Johnson's removal
from Office. / expect TO show that he
took money that didn't belong TO him
further want to say that am ac-
tuated by no other purpose than a de-
sire to right wrong conditions that
existed in Iron County long before the
present lot OF officials took Office. A
start must be made some time TO right
these conditions IL we are to grow. /
am not excusing employees OF mining
companies who held office In the past
nor am l shielding them now. / de-
cided when l was discharged from the
army TO hit out straight for what II
right and / promise to follow the path
as l see IL, let the consequences be
as they may"
With the above prelude to a report OF
the hearing, which was conducted be-
fore Judge Murphy at the court house
last Tuesday, In which evidence was
produced to substantiate and also 10
explain away charges made by /. w.
Byers, manager for the Iron county
Taxpayers Assn, one can better un-
derstand the intent and purpose OF the
transactions.
lt Will be remembered that during
the month OF September Gov Groes-
beck sent Mr.. Converse, a represen-
tative of the attorney generals depart
ment, To Iron county to investigate
complaints against seven townships |
and county officials OF Iron county a. |
mong them, Hjalmar Johnson, supe-- |
visor OF Bates township and John + |
Lyle. justice OF the peace at Iron Riy-
er and coroner of Iron county.
Mr.. Johnson gave TO Mr.. Converse
a written resignation but he later on.
upon the advice OF his attorney, M. S.
McDonough of Iron River, withdrew
the resignation. When he did SO.
Governor Groesbeck, acting under the
law in such cases. requested that
hearing be held before Judge Murphy
at Crystal Falls on October 25.
The hearing was held Tuesday after
noon, Mr.. Converse representing the
governor and Mr.. McDonough the ac-
cused. Judge Murphy presided and
Miss Loretta Mitchell was appointed
stenog-apher.
The first witness sworn was John
Hansen, clerk OF Bates township. Mr..
Hansen had his record with him. lie
testified that Mr.. Johnson drew dur
ing the month OF April, May. June.
July, August September and October
$4,000 from the township OF Bates for
services rendered for said township :
The money was drawn on bills pre- :
sented TO the township board, one OF {
them specifying the making OF the as d
sessment -oll and calling for the sum
OF 800. The other bills we're for I
Services" and were in varying a. n
from $500 TO $4,000. "
Upon cross examination by Mr.. Nc =
Donough Mr. Benson testified that at r
no time was there any decision by the =
township board 20 pay salary" to 4
my official or the township; that there q
was raised for highway purposes the
sum OF $4,000 in Bates township; that q
lt no time was there any conspiracy | n
% seat Ernest Johnson as justice on | :
he board nor was there any conspir-
ICY TO extort money from the town
hip.
The witness was very hesitant. pro-
,ably caused from fright and def I
lent understanding OF the questions
hat were asked OF him,
Mr. Byers was the second witness
worn. He testified OF having had
ak with Mr.. Johnson shortly after c
he election of the latter 10 Office ir la
lates. That Johnson demnrred from r
lis (Bye-sD suggestion that he draw
Monies only for actual time put In for IN
be township; that johnson stated that m
le expected 10 get between 5000 and p
900 from the township for his SER n
Ices. Mr.. Byers further testified II
hat he had called the attention OF MIR. b
Johnson and the other board officers h
o what he regarded as a violation OF &
he law but that HIS requests were CIV T
"A no heed and that In ordor n forro 4 n