The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-14
FALSE PRETENSES
CHARGED 0FORMER
MILITIA. CH|EFTAIN
Warrants Accuse Him Of Dup|i.
eating Expense Account,
Taking PayroIIs
BRoC0PP IS COMPLAINANT
Successor in Office Swears to
Accusations; Police Judge
Issues Papers

Two warrants for the arrest Of q.
Angus Fraser. former adjutant gen.
eral Of North Dakota, charging him
with obtaining property and money
under false pretenses. were issued in
Bismarck shortly before noon Tues
day.
Both complaints were signed by
Herman A. Brocopp, acting adjutant
general, who succeeded Fraser early
in January.
The warrants were issued by Ed
ward S. Allen. Bismarck police magis-
trate, at the request of Assistant At.
torney General Milton X. Higgins.
They were placed in the hands Of
Sheriff Joseph L. Kelley, who was
expected to ask Cass county officials
to arrest Fraser, since the latter IL
at his home in Fargo.
Fraser, who was adjutant genera!
tor l6 years. Is charged with obtain
ing under false pretenses $192 for
two weekly pay rolls at Camp Graf
ton at Devils Lake in 1892 and with
feloniously obtaining $l98.73 in ex-
penses for trip which he took Is q
capitol commissioner to Chicago and
Baton Rouge, La, in 1881.
Fraser resigned as member OF tile
capitol commission last month when
testimony presented before the lexis-
lative committee investigating the
commission indicated that he had
presented more than one expense &C
count for the same trip.
Indicated Double Payment
This testimony indicated that Fra
ser was paid by the adjutant generalA
department. for trip to a convention
IN New Orleans as well as by the cap
itol commission for the trip to Baton
Rouge. though he made both visits I
on the same trip. !.
In his expense account to the capi-.
tol commissioners. the complaint
charges. Fraser listed amounts spent
for railroad fare. Pullman, tips and
meals on the train ON q trip from
Bismarck to Chicago and return by
railroad, whereas the expenses 'were
rever either incurred or paid by the
said defendant" The complaint con-
tlnues that Fraser obtained q war
rant from the state auditor for the
amount through the use of the false"
expense account. The account cover
ed his travels from Nov. 10, to Dec. /,
1881.
Testimony presented before the
legislative committee indicated that
Fraser had not made the trip in
question by train. but by automobile,
with Major Frank L. Anders. secre-
tary of the commission. accompanying
him.
The former adjutant general is
charged with falsely obtaining 1892
from the state for two weekly pay
rolls at Camp Grafton, Oct. s and
oct. Is. 1882. The voucher was dated
Oct. Is.
The voucher. according to the COM
PLANT. was false and then known
by the defendant to be false"
Legislature Asked Probe
Following the disclosures in Fraser's
expense accounts which deyeloped
during the capitol commission inyes-
tigation, resolution was presented
IN the senate, asking for q complete
investigation of records of the I'd.
5utant generals office during the en-
tire regime of Fraser. This resolu-
ton was passed by both houses OF the
state legislature and the probe was
undertaken Immediately under the
direction Of Attorney General A. J.
Gronna, Jr.
Rumors that warrants were to Be
issued for Fraser,s arrest have been
current in Bismarck for many days
but States Attorney George S. Regis
ter received no official Information
on the charges until Tuesday fore
noon. he said. when he was visited by
Higgins.
It Is expected the prosecution Of
Fraser will be undertaken by the at
torney generals office. with Register
Offering whatever assistance may be
desired.
Upon arrest Of Fraser. it is expected
that Sheriff Kelley win drive to Far
go to bring Fraser here. Kelley and
Fraser, both veterans Of the Spanish
American war, are warm personal
friends.
Fraser Is the second state official
to be charged with defrauding the
state In recent weeks. A short time
ago John 0ammons, former secretary
OF the state securities and industrial
commissions, was arrested on . charge
OF emhezzlement. He Il 1t liberty
under bonds pending trial in district
court, having waived preliminary ex.
animation.
Fraser explained his resignation
from the capitol commission BY des-
cribing It Is = move to protect the
other two commissioners, Fred i.
Conklin Of Bismarck and 0eorDe A.
Bangs Of Grand Forks.
MONTANA HONORS RYAN