The Bismarck tribune., 1933-12-16
STUTSMAN IS LAST
WITNESS ON STAND
IN 8-DAY HEARING
voIuminous Transcript Is Ex.
pected to Be Ready in About
Two Weeks
GOVERNOR TO REVIEW IT
Defense Expected to Appeal to
Courts II Final Ruling
ls Adverse
GOVERNOR TO REVIEW IT

concluded at 1880 p. m. Saturday fol-
lowing testimony by w. H. Stutsman,
former member of the bureau, who
took the stand for the defense.
About two weeks will be required to
complete the transcript Of the VOL
luminous record Of the hearing that
ran eight days. A final hearing will
then be had before Gov. william Lam
ger. who seeks Wenzels removal from
the Workmen's Compensation Bureau.
Should Langer decide to remove
Wenzel, the defense has indicated that
Wenzel will appeal to the courts for
final determination Of the case.
Stutsman was on the stand during
Saturdays session and the defense
rested following completion Of his
testimony. The state called. State
Senator s. 8. Mcdonald who testified
for a few minutes after which the
hearing was closed.
Tells OF Bond Deal
Stutsman testified in detail as to the
exchange Of $l30.000 in bonds held by
the Workmen's Compensation Bureau
for $l25 900 long term bonds. declaring
the transaction was to the advantage
Of the bureau as the per centage Of
income was trifle over the market,
and 1t was preferable to have long
maturity bonds than short maturity
bonds.
An attorney generals opinion ap-
proving the transaction was entered
as an exhibit. Stutsman said the fig
ures were worked out by Bank Of North
Dakota statisticianS and 1t was found
that it would be necessary to turn over
about 5000 more to equalize the two
sets of bonds.
Stutsman said the difference in the
two sets Of bonds resulted because Of
the different maturities and because
some bore higher rate Of interest.
Charles A. Verret, assistant attorney
general prosecuting the case, inter-
rupted the testimony to say that the
chief objection Of the state to the
transaction is that Wenzel, at con-
ference with the other commissioners
ratified an exchange Of $125.O00 in
bonds held by the compensation bu-
reau, while in the final transaction
Sl30O00 was turned over.
Was It Handled Legally?
He said the state does not contend
that the 5000 difference "disap-
peared." The attack Of the state has
been on the manner In which the
records Of the transaction were kept,
while the defense contends the mat
ter was handled In full accordance
with the law.
Stutsman, who served on the board
until. last January. when he was sue
ceded by r. H. Walker, testified under
examination by George F. Shafer. de-
tense attorney. that Wenzel was an
indefatigable worker, very industrious
and diligent In hts attention to the
work of the bureau"
He said Wenzel worked rapidly In
disposing Of routine matters. spent
many hours in statistical and acturial
work. and displayed great interest In
the work and welfare Of the compen-
sation bureau.
On cross-examination by verret, he
testified Wenzel had exchanged words
at the bureau offices with L. J. Wehe,
former commissioner. and with 8. E.
Ellsworth, jamestown attorney assist
ing in the prosecution. but said this
was not common occurrence.
Asked by Verret II Wenzel did not
seek to pare down the amounts OF
claims to the lowest possible figure,
6tutsman said that "he was more lib
era. than l." Stutsman denied that
Wenzel had difficulties with employees
while he was q member Of the board.
Wensel, verret Clash
Verbal tits between Wenzel and
Charles A. Verret. assistant attorney
general were frequent at Fridays ses-
sion and Special Commits o ne
Thomas ]. Clifford, Langdon attor-
ney, presiding In the case, warned
that the record already = voluminous
and asked the witness and prosecu-
ton to get more to the point"
Wenzel had been on the stand two
days when he completed hts testi-
mony Friday. with . major portion Of
the time taken In cross-examinatiou.
The hearing went into its eighth day
Saturday.
On redirect examination, Wenzel
went into the details Of m exchange
Of 4l30.O00 short term bonds for
(Continued on Pare 9even)