Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-05-03
GRAND JURY AT
WORK I K BEHIND !,
CLOSED DOORS
Judge Cooley Tells Body Of
Men Of Broad Powers
They Have.

Fargo. N. D.. May 3.-The grand
jury called to investigate records OF
the defunct Observation-Disclosures
bank settled down to work behind,
closed doors today. George Bangs.
Grand Forks, was one Of the attor-
neys closeted with the jury.
Fargo, N. D., May 3.-Twenty-one
grand jurors, Of whom Fred ".
Hutchinson was appointed foreman,
heard the formal charge of Judge
Charles M. Cooley in Cass county dias
trlct court Tuesday and learned OF
the broad and sweeping powers of in
vestigation with which they are
clothed. They constitute the first
grand jury to sit in Cass county dis
strict court since statehood.
While the jury was called at the
request Of S%veinbjorn johnson, at
torney general of North Dakota, and
William C.. Green, states attorney of
Cas- county, for the special purpose
of investigating the affairs of the
scandinavian American bank. no
mention was made OF any specific
case by Judge Cooley in his charge.
He informed the grand jury that
they had authority to investigate any
violation Of the law. and that it was
their duty to inquire into all evil
dences of law violation of whatever
nature, hat are brought to their at
tention while they are in session.
Judge Cooley discussed the states
banking laws at length and in detail,
explaining exactly what acts con-
stitute a misdemeanor or a felony
under the law. He told Of the duties
Of hank officials. and directors and
explained that any officer OF a. bank
who accepts deposits after the bank
is insolventNis guilty of a felony. He
explained what constitutes Insolvency
under the law and he explained IN
detail how a director of a bank may
become involved in law violation.
The judge told the jury that 1t
was especially their duty to investi-
gate all violations Of tho prohibition
law and he explained in detail what
acts constitute violation of this law
under tho North Dakota state avs
Tho Jurora
Tho following members constitute
the grand jury: r. c. Akley, Fargo;
A. n. Berdahl, Fango; p. S. .Ellfott,
II. A. Hard, Fargo: F. V. Hutchinson.
Fargo; Ole Jordet. Davenport; Ed
ward Kunst, Highland township:
A. q. Kinney, o. ]. Stout, John Vol
den, Mrs. John Amerland. H. B.
:; Ashelman, Dan G. Davis 7. J.. Ed
wards, Mrs. Hubert Harrington, Mrs.
/; J. F. McGEann, r. W. Pearson, Knut
, StrAndvold, Chas. Simon and Gustave
TetzlafH, all OF Fargo
All Strictly Secret
The jurors were informed that they
must keep all their deliberations
strictly secret. When IL membera Of
the jury concur in the belief thai
some person has been guilty of a vo'
lation Of the law. they must bring Ar
indictment Of that person before TIT
Judge. In the event that IL membar1
do no concur on a casesthat is belnl
investigated they u bring q dis
miSsxl before the Judge.
Sixteen members Of the jury consti
tute a quorum, and that number mus
always be present before formal in
vestigatiops may be undertaken. Th'
Jury elects q clerk who keeps q recors
4 al the acts Of the gKand jury ex
cent those matters which must b
kept secret. The jury may adjourn
al any time, and reconvezae at thet
own pleasure. Following h Judge
charge the jury. adjourned until
D.. M, when they met to formally or