The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-07-04
ARE BANKERS ABOVE THE LAW?
BY Sen. ]. w. Anderson. Sidney. Mont.

j. w.
When the Yellowstone Valley Bank and Trust Company of
Sidney Mont closed their doors found that there
duplication notes amounting 100000. former
president of this bank made this declaration public meeting
and have to doubt its truthfuness have talked
with many farmers who have been WrOnged in this and
they all tell the stOryWhen they renewed their notes
they told that the original Minneapolis other
place. that would be up mailed the-Mos Of
the banks customers had full confidence the bankers honesty
and dismissed the matter from their thoughts only to be jolt
ed later upon finding that their confidence and that of their
neghbors, had been betrayed by the bankers.
few years ago two of my neighbors and myself
jointly this bank for 100000 which later renewed
AS all lived in the country each signed the when
happened to be in town. and the last to sign failed to
take up the original The original note held by the Fed
Reserve in Minneapolis but the banker instead of taking up
this original note sent the renewal note to the Hanover bank IN
New York City, and in due time both notes Sidney for
collection for $4,000 and the other for $4,000 and six months
interest These notes held by the Federal Reserve
and both Of them coecabe according to awhe bankers
freely admit that this duplication yet they retain both of
these notes.
have given history this transaction detail be-
is typical Of of other just like it.
This duplication of notes is only of forms of dis
honesty violation practiced by this bank and by many
other banks Of the state and there has been arrests and
all attempts to bring these bankers into court is Of avail
have taken this particular with the u S. AttO1
ny Helena and upon his advice have taken the with
the Comptroller of the Currency Washington and the Depart
ment of Justice outlining these Offences but action has been
taken.
The local authorities the district court banking
depaent the Attorney General the Governor the officers
the Federal Reserve and War Finance Corporation and the
reentave Of the Comptroller of the Currency all of
these facts Under is the duty citizen to
aid the prosecution of who violate laws and
regardless of his life fails this respect becomes
accessory to that crime
Why these bankers not punished and why do judges
and prosecuting attorneys fail to take action against bankers
Why is it that like Fall and Daugherty to JAIL
while poor always does when caught?
Last week, poor sent to States prison from
Rchand county for three years for killing unbranded steer
that did not belong to him. while the banker in this county
who stole $4,000 from the farmers tried to- is still at large
and plying his evil trade in joining state In addition to this
the $4,000 robbery only of law violations of the
banker yet there prosecution
Let reduce these two crimes to a demon
nation The that the poor killed probably worth
about $4,000 less this basis the robbery of the banker of
Of cattle for banker steal and get away with On the basis
of the sentence given the Of three for steer
the sentence the banker would get would be 1900 States
Should he live out this sentence he would probably meet
the sheriff the prison gate arrested prosecuted
ed to prison for about 5000 for other law violations
while in the bank.
Because of this discrimination by against al
poor man and in favor of the rich there widespread and
growing drespect bordering contempt for law and
The only remedy for this condition to the
and honesty and mpaay administer the law regardless
of wealth social position If this is not DONE then govern
ment by law will break down in the near future
If goes JAIL result of the Teapot Dome scan
da it thousand times better had the investigation
been made
the courts continue to refuse prosecute the bankers
in this state for gross violations of the laws of this state then
history should repeat itself be or
gained again Vgantes committee rid the State of these
criminals just as they did in the days of Pummer
Mans last orderly appeal for justice is the Courts
the Courts fail at this point they function for the pOtec
ton OF the rich and powerful and against the and the weak
the authority Of the law and courts will break down. and will
fall back upon their instincts civilization will slip
backwards thousand years.