San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-28
UNDERSTOOD
| R|EDENFUND
TO PAY POLLS
Banks Testifies He Thought
Money Was for
Poll Taxes.
CLAIM TWO FIRED
Political Hearing Ends
But May Be Re-
opened. 81

Sworn statements from two laborers
n the street department that they
had been discharged when they refused
10 sign affidavits stating tia: they
had received their money back from
+For Reelection Club formed
part of the testimony brought out
bit the club prabe before the city ccm-
mission Tuesday afternoon.
These two men were among those
who had signed the petition to the
council soliciting its aid in recovering
contributions made to the club. They
were actually discharged, the men tes-
lifted, after they had refused to sign
The affidavits, but later were given
work by another foreman.
Following the conclusion of testi-
nony late Tuesday. the council on
motion of Commissioner John T..
Pfeiffer ordered the opening of a
register where claims may be filed by
bill employees and former employees who
have not received their money paid
into the Rieden club.
Voice No Censure of Rieden.
The council, it was indicated, will
insist that every man who can estab-
ish his claim, be reimbursed by the
officers Of the club. Blame for the ex-
listing shortage was not placed Oh any
bne it having occurred evidently from
discrepancies between the lists turned
into the treasurer and the amount
bf money turned in. No censure was
voiced against Commissioner Rieden
by the council for his connection with
the club.
After the register I. completed,
however, report is TO be made back
to the council and at least one conf
missioner Wednesday morning init
mated that testimony might be re-
[opened and an effort made to find
out what was done with $50 which
Jack Dunsmore, treasurer of the club.
testified Tuesday that he had turned
over to c. F. (Fritzl Russi, bust
ness agent for the San Antonio
Trades Council.
Says S45 Was a Loan.
Jack Byars, city carpenter. TO whom
Mr.. Dunsmore testified he had paid
$40 from the clubs funds, testified
Tuesday afternoon that he had Dor
rowed the money as q personal loan
and that he intended, paying it back
n -SQSp as the city pays him. He did
15t Know, he said, if the money came
from the club fund or if Dunsmore
had loaned it to him personally.
Joe Beck. street superintendent on
the south side. testified that the fore
men had turned over in all about $500
or 5000 to him and that this had
been turned over to the treasurer of
the club.
]. b. Banks. who investigated the
Rieden club. said he started his in
|vestigation when Mr.. Dunsmore. treas
urer, informed him that he had only
about S1T00 on deposit. Banks SAID
he thought there should have been
more. so began his investigation.
Testifying as to discrepancies be-
| tween the amounts turned in to the
! treasurer and the amounts supposed
to have been contributed by the men,
Banks swore that Bennett, a foreman,
had sworn that he had turned in be-
tween $143 and $15S, whereas Mr.
Dunsmore's books gave him credit for
$50. Mr.. Dunsmore on the stand
Tuesday testified that he received all
contributions from the street superin-
tendents and did not deal with the
foremen.
Understood Money for Poll Taxes.
Banks testified further that Love
foreman. in an affidavit. swore that
Joe Beck had told him that the rec
ords must be destroyed for fear. that
they would fall into the hands of the
grand jury. They were burned III