The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-01-23

GlOkl, Whit lac StSAO COAl0V1tuISS U1OOl
solid and substantial grounds for re.
moval." He charged Wenzel devoted
q total Of 10 weeks Of the year to bar
association duties.
Ellsworth referred to Wenzel's use
Of the floor polisher. which he said
the commissioner kept for 81 years
and returned 1t sureptitiously with
in q week Of the time these proceed
ings began"
"That was clear case Of embezzle-
ment." he added. "There was crime
In office"
He charged further that the secre-
tary Of the minimum wage depart
ment, under the compensation bureau
was employed without proper resolu-
ton, and that later there was "a de-
]iberate Justification" Of records to
show the employment had been voted
Shafer opened his arguments with
the contention that the 1881 legisla-
ture repealed the power Of the COVER
nor to remove the workmen's compen-
sation commissioner for cause.
He discussed each charge In the
complaint, declaring considerable Of
the evidence taken at the hearing was
on matters not charged in the COM
plant.
In the bond transactions, he said.
the intent Of the law was absolutely
complied WITH" and made after OBJ
tanning the attorney generals opin-
ion.
Repaired Ut Own Expense
shafer referred to the floor polisher
incident, explaining Wenzel took it
tc his home, repaired 1t at his own
expense and forgot about it, but re-
turned the polisher when he heard
somebody is looking for something
or him." He pointed out the polisher
was not being used by the compensa-
ton bureau janitor.
Statements to the press about the
condition Of workmen's compensation
funds, Shafer said, were beneficial,
rather than harmful.
These statements usually called to
the attention Of employers that un-
less the alarming increase in accidents
was reduced. the rates would be In
creased, Shafer said. He termed the
statements educational matter.
Shafer denied there had been any
Justification Of record in employment
Of minimum wage secretary, de-
claring the motion apparently was
lost but inserted later. He said there
was no effort to conceal employment
o. the secretary.
Regarding Wenzel's duties as bar
association secretary, 'Shafer told how
Former Gov. r. A. Nestos assured
Wenzel at the time Of his appointment
he could continue those duties, and
that during the 10 years the commits
sioner has served the compensation
bureau no governor ever had objected
or served notice on him to discontinue
such work. including the present gov
ernor.
Is industrious Worker
6hafer termed Wenzel as especially
industrious, and man who disposed
Of large volumes Of work rapidly. He
told how Wenzel did actuarial work
for the bureau, work that had been
done previously by q paid actuary.
He characterized the charges as
highly technical" declaring the state
has had to resort to "far-fetched con-
structions."
While Verret was giving rebuttal ar
guments, LANCER expressed interest In
the bond transactions and asked
Shafer to provide additional detail.
Il cannot see." LANCER said, where
the other two men on the bureau are
not as responsible. Why pick him
(Wenzel) out alone?"
verret interjected that Weuzel was
running the office as chairman" and
dominated the bureau. Preckle, he
said, had little to do with the office:
We know Wenzel was running the
whole office"
isn't he (WenzeD entitled to the
benefit Of the doubt" LANCER asked.
Are you going to give him the
benefit Of the doubt In all the things
that happened,?" verret replied.
you've got to take al the things to-
gether."