The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-21
CONSPIRACY CASES
TO Be HEARD HERE
BY FEDERAL JUDGE
Governor Arraioned in Fargo
Saturday; Lawyers Seek
Time to Examine Bills
LANIER ASKS QUICK ACTION
District Attorney Ready to Pro>
coed; Court Tells Defense
Month ls Enough

1oA8O, ~. ~, april dill pro-
ceedings without parallel in the his
tory Of North Dakota, Gov. william
LANCER was arraigned before Judge
Andrew Miller in the United States
district court in Fargo Saturday.
As the governor stood before the
bar Of justice there stood with him
seven others indicted jointly with him
on two charges-one Of conspiracy to
extort funds from federal employees,
the other OF blocking orderly opera
ton Of an act Of congress.
The proceedings lasted IL minutes,
the plea Of the defendants that they
be allowed until May 7 to make their
formal pleas or such motions Is may
be determined upon being granted.
though the government. represented
by District Attorney r. w. Lanier. re-
sisted.
However, Judge Miller required that
the defense provide the government
on May S with full statement Oh
sny objections 1t may raise 70 the
indictments, copies of which were or
dered delivered to counsel for the
accused, George Thorp Of Fargo and
E. r. Sinkler Of Minot.
Trial Set for May -
Also. Judge Miller fixed May q at
Bismarck as the time for the term Of
court at which the cases will be
brought to trial II there u to be .
trial.
Immediately following the arraiSn-
ment. Governor LANCER stepped for.
ward to consult personally with Judge
Miller-his attorneys at either side
and arrangements were made under
which the governor was permitted to
sign his own bond to guarantee ap-
pearance at future steps In the case.
All Of the accused except Oscar
Erickson, state senator from Kidder
and Sheridan counties and listed a.
publisher" Of the North Dakota
Leader, around the operations Of
which center the governments charg-
es, were present. Erickson WAS re-
ported to be Ill and the defense at
torneys had the record show that they
represented him as well as the others.
The courtroom was only about two
thirds filled as Judge Miller entered.
The defendants had taken seats
inside OF the courtroom
rail.
Rose When Called
The clerk called the names Of the
indicted men. First was Governor
LANCER. Then followed Oscar Chaput~
business manager Of the Leader:
Frank Vogel, state highway commis-
sioner; Harold Mcdonald, solicitors
r. A. Kinzer. former executive secre-
tary Of the federal relief committee;
his son, Joseph A. Kinzer, and Paul
J. Yeater and G. A. Hample, employees
in the highway department.
Attorney Sinkler announced, on be.
half Of the defendants, that the read
ing Of the indictments would b
waived and Attorney Thorp presented
the motion asking that the accused
be given until May Z to make formal
pleas. He said the defense had not
been able to examine the indictments
and it would require that time In
which to prepare.
Attorney Lanier thought the time
too long, stating that the grand jury
had been called to reconvene In Far
go May 8, and that he would want to /
be in position to submit the issue to
this grand jury again II for any rea-
son the indictments were successfully
attacked.
Lanier said, too. that the govern
ment was ready to proceed with the
trial Immediately, and Judge Miller
announced the date Of May q as the
time Of the Bismarck court term.
Judge Miller stating that he believed
the matter one that called for expe-
ditious disposition.
Judge Miller pointed out that b
fixing May "a q the date for the
court term, full month was beina
given in which to prepare for ths
trial.