Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-02-09

scandinavian-American Bank Of Far-
go as q bank controlled and CEN
Quoted by league leaders," Do you
mean to state under oath, Mr.. Brinton,
that the scandinavian-American
Bank. of Fargo is owned and con-
trolled by leaders of the Nonpartisan
league?
Partly Owned by Leaguers.
A. It is partly owned by them and
controlled by them. &
9. You say it is partly owned by
al. Yes.
6. And that it is controlled, by
,them--is that your statement.
nov, M Mr.. Brinton, that state
mentTswould hardly have any value
unless you give us the source OF your
information. How do o know 1t 10
controlled by the league? z
financial manager. the secretary OF
the organization, Mr.. Hastings, on In
.structions from Mr.. Townley and Mr..
Lemke.
9. When?
"A. Well, 1 think it was-I couldn't
gay the exact date but it was during
the year 1917. following conferences
held in the national ofices in st.
Paul.
At Conferences. {
9. Were o present at these can
ferences? .
A. Some Of them. 3
Q. Well, take one. and tell me
who else vas present at the confer
ences in the league headquarters in
st. Paul when the matter of the pur-
chase of the Scandinavian American
bank was up for consideration.
A. 1t was discussed by the execu-
tive committee, Mr.. Lemke, Mr..
Townley and Mr.. Wood. Mr.. Hastings
representing Mr.. Townley as his fin
ancial secretary, and I was at the
as enc of Mr.. Townley's personal
agents at that particular time. Z,
G. Where was this meeting? :
A. In st. Paul. Z
@. And about when was this meet
ing? y.
A. Well, 1 am referring to several.
I wish to explain that a little. MIR.
Hastings came to the executive COM
mitfee with a proposition to- buy the
bank, and there were several confer
cnccs and Mr.. Hastings was sent back
to Fargo to examine the bank thor
oughly and make a report, and later
he came back and had another con-
ference, and as a result of his report
and the last conference the bank was
purchased, or sufficient stock in 1t to
secure control of it.
G. Now you were present at those
conversations, Mr.. Brinton. and able
to state these facts from your own
personal knowledge? y
A. Yes, sir.
Q. You recognize the fact, do you,
! that this committee, appointed by the
legislative assembly, has the power
to administer oaths. and that any
statement that you make here on the
stand would make you subject to per-
jury ii it were not true. You under
stand that, do you? -,
A.. Yes sir.
@. Now do you mean to say that
Mr.. Lemke, the present attorney gen.
eral of this state, vas present at those
conferences when the matter of, the
purchase of. the Scandinavian-Afqer;;
Lican Bank by the league was ar
A. 1 wouldn't say he was present
at all Of them, but he was present
at some of them. but l talked tc
Lemke individually. and Towniey IN
%dividually and Hastings individually
and talked, to all Of them jointly.
Talked to Lemkc.
Lemke?. T.
4; shortly prior to, the purchase
Of he<bank. y
q. And with Mr.. Tpwnley also?
Yes, sir itIywasSSone. of the biz
Iasen1sAown there atslhats time.
1Brinsoasa ny YOU fnoW. sssfRese conver
81 81 onaasNWhich would show the object
If any, in the purchase of this banl
or control of it by the league?
A. Well, the conferences were held
not as to whether they should blu!
a bank, but as to which n the!
should buy. and those conference
were held, discussing the condition 0
the Observation-Disclosures bank
and whether or not they should pur
|chase that, and there was a contro
versy and differences of opinion.
@. Well, what was the object, a
stated, of buying any bank?
A. Well. like any organization
they needed a financial institution.
H. Financial Difficulties.
O.. Was that stated and under
stood as one of the objects? D
:. A. Both stated and understood.
might explain that further and maj
it clear to h committee. The leagu
was having difficulty in financini
their paper, and this vas simply a dis
cussion there held after they had de
cided to purchase a bank.
Mr.. Shipley: What paper do 20
, have reference to?
:, l.: Nonpartisan league paper. 70
: ought to know what kind OF pape
that is, MI. ,Shipley. I think they ha'
, some of yours onoe They have 60
some of mine now.
=. @, Well, this paper, Mr.. Brintor
, do YOU refer to post-dated checks an
matters of that kind-notes?
A.. Notes, yes.
O.. Have you any evidence as t
: any change in the determination q
= these league leaders from the time Q