The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-12-13

tIle nearing before lnOnaS r. Clifford
Langdon attorney. acting as special
commissioner to take testimony, told
OF friction between himself and Wen
eel since his appointment last jan
uary. Walker succeeded W. H. Suits
man. whose term expired.
Examined by Verret, Walker testi-
fled Wenzel was rather unapproach-
able. and sarcastic in his remarks"
On crcss-eKamination by Shafer,
he testified he asked Carl A. Knudt-
son. secretary of the bureau. to assist
him in procuring information to be
used in seeking Wenzels reMoval.
While had no talk with the gov
ernor." Walker said, II knew the
governor had in mind his (Wenzel's)
removal If House Bill LAG became
law" The law referred to provided
for removal Of the Workmen's Com
pensation Bureau commissioners with
out cause. It was referred and de-
feated in the last September special
election.
On Own Initiative
Altogether" Walker continued. II
did SO on my own initiative in ask
ing KnudtSon for cooperation
Shafer asked the witness: "You
were on the lookout for information
to be used in removing Mr.. Wenzel?"
Il wouldn't pass up anything if it
came my way" Walker said.
Referring to Walkers testimony
that WenZel's attitude may not have
been result of knowledge of Walk
er'S efforts to remove him, Walker
said that before his conversation with
Knudtson regarding removal informa-
ton there was mo open rupture" be-
tween himself and Wenzel.
Walker testified the first formal"
meeting of the bureau since his APP
pointment was called by Wenzel Aug
ust "a.
He termed as false" an entry In
minutes Of the bureau showing he had
been present at meeting in July.
Walker testified Knudtson told him
Wenzel had served demand on the
secretary to help defray expenses of
the referendum of the compensation
law enacted by the last legislature
Shafer objected to this line of testi-
mony on the ground the defendant
was not present, that it was hearsay,
and that it purported to impeach
knudtson. a state witness. Verret
denied there was any effort TO inn
peach the witness.
Friendly With Preckel
Iestlfying he was friendly with
w. G. Preckel, compensation bureau
commissioner, Walker said he found
Wenzel 'uuapproachable." He said
Wenzel consulted with him seldom,
land seemed to avoid me for several
months
He said Wenzel dominated the bu-
reau and cited as an instance employ
ment OF the secretary of the minimum
wage commission. Walker said the
secretary was employed without his
knowledge.
Walker testified that shortly after
he took office bond statesmen appeared
to complete transaction for $4,000
IN bonds he said had been sold to the
bureau following an ''oral agreement
with WenZel." Walker said he adj
vlsed the salesman the bureau would
not purchase the bonds.
On croSS-examination by Shafer.
Walker said the bonds were not de-
llvered to the bureau, no written evil
dence was produced by the agent
showing there had been an agreement,
and that Wenzel was out of the city at
the time.
Served With Consent
Referring to the charge in the
states complaint that Wenzel had
served as chairman of the bureau
after last July without the commits
sion formally voting to re-elect him.
Shafer asked Walker If he or Preckel
had made motion to name a new
chairman. Walker said he had made
no such motion.
w. H. Turner, Negro, former JAM
tor at the compensation bureau, testi-
fled Wenzel had taken q $40 floor
polisher belonging to the bureau and
q quart Of floor wax valued at about
1915. Turner testified he seldom
used the floor waxer. He said he
learned recently the waxer had been
returned to the bureau about three
months before the removal proceed
Ing against Wenzel started.
Miss Alice Brown, chief stenog-
rapher for the compensation bureau,
testified as to the. manner in which
minutes were recorded. She testified
and resolutions were written
out or dictated, then circulated among
The members for their approval or dis
approval and finally entered in the
permanent minute book.
The state announced it will call