The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-05-30
WAVES IMMUNITY
TO Be WITNESS IN
US. court ACTION
Tells Of Soliciting Contributions
to Leader From High
way Workers
TRIALS TEMPO SPEEDS UP
New Life Injected Into Proceed
ings by Dale Revelations
Of Set-Up

With one defendant stepping dra-
matically out Of the ranks to volun-
tarily surrender his rights Of immun-
ity, the trial Of Governor LANCER
Tuesday moved into the detail Of the
governments allegations Of conspiracy
to force political contributions from
federal employees.
The court took half holiday Tues.
day morning In observance OF Memoir
ial Day. It was scheduled to recon-
vene at p. m. Tuesday when Ham
pie was expected to be recalled II
the stand to continue his testimony
under cross
Tuesdays session began with nd
hint Of the fast motion soon to come.
Minutes dragged by as photostatic CO.
pies Of records were introduced ints
evidence. and attorneys wrangled
over admissibility Of the evidence.
AS Identification Of records was
concluded, however, U. S. District
Attorney p. w. Lanier summoned Al
fred S. Dale, state treasurer. Spec
tators hitched forward on their seats
and ripple Of deep interest and spec.
ulation ran through the courtroom q,
Dale stepped forward to assume the
role Of one state official testifying
against North Dakota's chief execu-
tive.
Developments Are RApid
His testimony marked the begin.
ming Of a rapid succession Of Develop
ments. blazing the trial with these
highlights:
Revelation by Dale that Laueor,
prior to his taking office. revealed hts
plans for establishing an administer
ton, Nonpartisan league newspaper:
Testimony by E. J. Conrad, concern
ing conversations between him and
Governor LANCER with relation to
purchase Of newspaper. prior to the
governors taking office and after hiS
election:
Waving Of all rights of immunity
by G. A. Hample, state highway de-
partment employe, and one Of the
eight defendants In the case, who
told from the witness stand Of the
methods used to collect contributions
from employees.
Dale,s testimony was not lengthy.
but 1t was understood that he was to
be recalled at later time during the
trial for further examination. He
told Of conversations between him and
Governor LANCER concerning estab-
lishment Of the administration news
paper. LANCER. he said, told him he
was going to have . newspaper"
Leader Story Told
Hample was the first witness
through whom the government sought
actually to reveal the machinery
through which contributions were
solicited from employees.
He described his meeting with Har-
old Mcdonald, solicitor for The Lead
err" and Oscar Chaput, the news.
papers business manager. Both are
defendants In the trial.
Hample said he believed he first
met Mcdonald and Chaput when they
visited the offices Of the state high
way department, administrative staff,
in May. 1888.
"On that occasion, Vogel called you
into his office. before you talked to
Chaput?" Lanier asked.
Yves sir. Vogel sent for me. u
was during working hours"
who were therein Vogel's offics
when you arrived?"
"Chaput and Vogel. I was intro
duced to Chaput and Vogel said he
had q Job for me. He said should
kriS,~ t. <1.A Avnv.1oSns asaA Sv~%~S><aV.na
them to Chaput." Hample related.
Bookkeepers, draughtsmen and
stenographers. al employees Of the
general office. were brought two. BY
two into q private office, where they
were introduced to Chaput, and the
proposal was outlined to them. Ham
pie explained.
Chaput Gives Sales Talk
Some administration heads were In
cluded in the group brought by Ham
pie to the private office. the witness
revealed. Hample said no was not
present when Chaput talked to each
employe.
Prior to Hamples introducing Of
employees to Chaput. the latter OUT
lined the solicitation proposal. under
Whieh five per cent Of his salary
would be taken.
As I understood the proposal"
Hample recalled, "the purpose Of tho
contributions Was 70 estahliah . Nom
partisan Newspaper. believe - soi6
It was to b called Tho Leader.' ~
explained to me that ! would ple0ce
. certain amount: . certain ni1M6or
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