The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-06-27
PR0BEL0ANS0F
FARG0BANK FOR
LEAGUE BENEFIT
BrintOn Trial Delves Into Rela-
tions of Scandinavian
American Bank
STATE TELLS POSITION
Weeks Says Intention is to Show
that BrintOn's Loan State.
ment is False
STATE TELLS POSITION


ment is False
In an effort to justify the statements
of J w. Brinton. charged with perjury
and on trial In district court here, the
defense through cr0ss-examination be-
gan tracing the relations OF the Scan
dinavian-American bank of Fargo to
so-called Nonpartisan League enter
prises. Taking records introduced by
Nels J. Brevig, assistant receiver of
the Scandinavian-Amer bank Of
Fargo and formerly assistant cashier
Of the concern, Arthur LeSueur, coun
sci for Brinton, delved into the loans
made by the Bank Of North Dakota to
the Scandinavian American bank and
by the latter bank to s0-called league
enterprises.
Among the things adduced by Le-
Sueur was that the Scandinavian
American bank, during the period be-
tween Oct. 2 and Oct. Is, 1919, when it
was closed during the LANCER Raid"
renewed loan OF $1,000 to the Cour-
ier-News of Fargo.
Mr.. LeSueur had called Brevig's at :
tioti0n to record Of loans during that
time and pointed out the C0urier-Ne )
item.
This was one of the institutions be
ing run to aid the Nonpartisan League
and was being financed by the Scandi-
navian-American bank, was it n0t?'
asked LeSueur.
The witnes said he understood this
to be the case.
States Position. g.
Mr.. Brevig was placed on the stand
by J. j. Weeks, special assistant at.
torney general, prosecuting Brinton.
and asked to produce certain records
of the Scandinavian-Am bank In
addition to records produced by L. c.
Reep, receiver for the bank. They ill.,
cluded the record Of the loans from
the Bank OF North Dakota and the
loans by the Scandinavian bank indi-
viduals and corporations.
1.-The purpose of these records" said
Mr.. Weeks, "is to answer the charges
OF Brinton that practically every dol
lar of money the Bank of North Da
kOta placed In the Scandinavian
American bank was loaned to league
corporations. We want to show to
whom the loans of the bank were
made"
Answering question of Weeks as
to the amount of the bills receivable
on July 28, 1919, at the time the Bank
of North Dakota began business, Brevig
said the total loans of the Fargo bank
amounted to about $1,1OO.O0O.
Regarding Loans.
During the cross-examination Le-
Sueur learned from the witness that
all the loans made by the Bank OF
North Dakota to the Scandinavian
American bank were carried as certifi-
Gates of deposit No notes were made
the witness said. The witness assert
ed, however, that collateral was sent
the Bank of North Dakota with all
certificates of deposit. He also said
in answer to a question, that during
the period from July %, 1913, when
the Bank Of North Dakota opened un.
I'll the time the Scandinavian-Amer
can bank closed in February, 1921, /:
did not borrow money from any bank
except the Bank OF North Dakota.
A record of loans made by the Bank
Of North Dakota to the Scandinavian.
bank totalling $252,sOO was read.
WAS there anything to indicate
that these were anything but time de.
posits," the witness was asked.
mo. except they were kept on a
separate record" the witness answer
ed.
Were there any time deposits OF
the Bank Of North Dakota in the
bank"
mo, except we isued eds for loans.
Pursuing his efforts to establish
that the Scandinavian-American bank
was controlled and operated for the
benefit of the Nonpartisan League
and enterprises-Brinton had charged
that it was partly controlled by league
leaders-LeSueur went further intS
the banks operation.
He obtained the information frOE
Brevig that Mrs. Clayton had desk
in the bank with J. J. Hastings, form.
erly active in the league, and he said
that her duties were to try and collect
collateral notes, including farmers
notes to the Nonpartisan League
= League Exchange. Consumers Unitet
Stores Co., Publishers National Sery'
ice Bureau, post-dated checks ani
other collateral. He excepts the Cour'
ier-News from the list.
who paid her salary?" he was ask.
ed.
He said he understood the N0npar'
tisan League, and Consumers Store:
paid her.
Finds His Own Note
LeSueur then pointed out numerou.
notes signed by individuals, totalins
$49,3O8.55, which he established as ac'
commodation notes turned into til:
bank by the League Exchange ant
other league enterprises.
LeSueur caused ripple OF laughter
when he read his own note for $4,000
The first one was signed by a ma
whom the witness said formerly wa:
a bo0kkeeper in the Scandinavian
American bank and was for $4,000.
You knew that about all he hat
of this worlds goods was his salary
asked LeSueur. The witness replied
affirmatively.
F. w. Cathro, director general o
<no ponL ~ North nokOfo WAC call