Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-23
Stage Reset
In Brictson
'IiireTangle
South Dakota Bankers in Dep
ositions Brand Head of
Firms Testimony as "Dc-
liberate Falsehood."
Hearing Resumed Today

hoods" much of the testimony given
by O. A. Brictson, head of the
Brictson Manufacturing company.
in recent hearing in federal court,
two dispositions taken by Robert !.
Webb, Omaha attorney, from G. J.
Flittie and H. Z. Haroldson, bank
ers of Brookings, 5. d., were filed
with the clerk of the federal court,
late yesterday.
The Brictson hearing before Judge
Woodrough will be continued at
| this morning.
Flitties deposition resets the
stage for dramatic interludc in
the stock company's affairs, staged
in the Brictson offices in the Wood
men of the World building, Omaha,
on February 9. 1921.
1t was the date on which Flittie,
Haroldson and another stockholdcr,
Cobel, came to Omaha to induce
Brictson to buy back their stock.
Letters Ignored.
They came only when repeated
letters, kilograms, and telephone
calls, asking for an accounting OF
company affairs, were totally lg-
nored by Brictson, Flittie sets forth.
The trio came in the morning,
stayed all day and declined to leave
until Brictson agreed 10 reimburse
them, according to their testimony.
This Brictson did, only after consult.
ing his wife, said to be the brains OF
the Brictson organization.
1--WE came in the morning, talked
with Brictson awhile, told him what
we wanted" reads Flittie's statement.
"He said it was rather sudden, like
love at first sight, and he would
want time to think it over. We ap-
parently didn't make any progress;
conversed about Henry Ford, the fl
nancial situation, etc. and no head
way was made until one-half hour
before train time, i'll the evening,
when we told him we would sell our
stock to him and retire as directors,
after which, he went and consulted
his wife for few minutes, come
back and said:
Buys Back Stock.
"All right. gentlemen"
Haroldsen's testimony here aug
ments Flitties with this statement:
II made up. my mind if Brictson
would not buy my stock j would
leave it on his desk, properly assigned
to him and sever my connection
with the firm entirely. ! also had
my resignation as director and stock
holder in my possession" said Har-
oldson. who is president Of the First
National bank at Brookings.
Brictson paid them with checks
on the First National bank of Oma-
ha, post-dated seven or eight days
ahead.
The reason the men assigned tor
desiring to get out of the company
was that they were not satisfied
with the way the company was man"
aged and that repeated requests for
complete audit of the books were
absolutely ignored
Audit Never Presented.
The last board meeting was held
April 90. 1920, with Lee Huff and
Mr.. Taylor present. At that time
it was agreed that the audit be pre-
pared for a July meeting. This meet
ing was never held and the audit
never presented to stockholders, they
assert.
Flittie produced as exhibits, seven
letters and kilograms he had sent
to Brictson, inquiring for the audit,
all of which were ignored.
On the stand last week Brictson
testified he had never had any deal
ings or communications with Flittie
during the dates in question.
Flittie denied he ever made the
statement. as alleged by Brictson in
his testimony, that the reason the
trio wanted to get out was because
Brictson wouldn't come across
He branded it an absolute false
hood.
He denied he ever tried to black
mail" Brictson on a salary PROPOSE
tion.
Passed Up Salary.
"a salary of $500 was voted to ME
as secretary of the company at a
directors meeting held at the Fon-
tenelle, but the next morning Brict-
son came and told me the company
could not afford to begin payment of
my salary then, SO l agreed to drop
the salary matter.
"If Brictson said anything about
'blackmail' then he is mistaken or
telling deliberat falsehood," said
Flittie. who is president of the Cham,
Der of Commerce at Brookings.
The hearing bfore Judge Wood
rough today is on an application for
the appointment of receiver, begun
L.rl IN1.a L :.