The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-11

very i'll, and not In shape to taxi
charge of relief. that the legislator,
was in session, that the state was no
In good financial shape, that We hat
had a crop failure. and that the Banl
Of North Dakota was not In shape t.
handle relief"
LANCER explained that he had ap
pointed a committee. Of which Ro,
Frazier and former Governor Walter
Maddox were among the members
and that they were sent to the north.
west part OF the state to investigat.
relief needs.
He explained the situation to Ewinl
and told him Frazier had taken care
OF the situation in the northwest sec.
ton, from which delegation served
notice they would march on Bismarck
and make relief demands on the leg.
islature.
Was it necessary to appoint a set.
up?"
Yes. Ewing said the act provided
for appointment Of a committee"
He also stated to me that the act
provided that the governor admins
trate the fund.-" LANCER said. Il told
him was not in shape to handle the
fund at all. In regards to appoint
ment OF the committee. told him
wanted to take my time-he said he'd
be back In two or three weeks. I be-
gan consideration of the committee
personnel and considered 1t for several
days.
you finally came to conclusion as
to who chairman OF the committee
should be?' asked Hanley.
Selected Christensen
"Yes-1 selected Judge A. NJ. Chris
tianson-when I had been out in the
fall, I heard numerous complaints
regarding relief and 1 determined to
get the best man-one who could not
be charged with being biased. I knew
Judge Christianson to be well versed
in legal matters. that he had a fine
standing in the state. knew he
would be here all the time, and in ad-
dition I knew he could talk Norwe-
gian, and many poor persons coming
for relief could talk to him. I also
knew him to be an honest, good and
straightforward man."
"Now-you wanted all factions to
be represented?"
Il wanted all factions to be repre-
sented," replied LANCER.
What faction did you consider
Christensen as belonging to-" asked
Hanley. .:.@ :....
II considered him as belonging to
the opposing faction" replied Lam
ger.
Stangler In Opposition
Next appointed was r. NJ. Stangler
manager OF the Bank of North Oak
ota. LANCER said. He explained he de-
cided to appoint Stangler because II
had known him since he was five or
six years OF age and because I knew
he had knowledge of financing. He
knew OF the financial affairs of the
state, and I knew that members Of
the legislature conferred with him and
that he would have intimate know
ledge Of the financial condition Of the
state. He also belonged to the oppos-
ing faction. He talks good German
and poor people coming for relief
might want to talk German, de-
cided.'
With regard to the committee. Ew-
ing told him he wanted committee
that would be right here In Bis
marck" LANCER said. He explained
that Ewing pointed out the need Of
meeting every day and If members
OF the committee came from various
sections of the state, it would be diff
ficult to have such meeting each
day.
LANCER said he decided on the ap-
pointment of Mrs. Minnie Craig,
speaker OF the house, because he
wanted women to be represented on
the committee. He said he considered
she belonged to the faction opposed
TO Judge Christianson.'
A. E. Thompson. superintendent OF
public instruction. was appointed by
him, LANCER said. because he felt the
schools might need federal aid, and
he wanted someone on the committee
who would understand the needs OF
the schools. He considered Thomp-
son a Democrat. LANCER said.
The fifth member of the board, Lee
Nichols. was appointed to the board
because he was square. and honest
and had been county auditor OF Nor
ton county for great number OF
years"
No Idea Of Control
"You had no idea of controlling or
being able to handle the committee in
your own way?" asked Hanley.
Il had not replied LANCER, 4
wanted a committee to take absolute
charge in the state-to operate most
efficiently
His first notification OF appoint
mcnt to the committee was made
orally to the various members. Lam
ger said. Later. a letter announcing
their appointment was sent to each
member. LANCER said the letter was
dictated by Ewing and signed by him
self as governor.
The first meeting Of the committee
took place in his office, LANCER said
He attended o ly one other meeting,
LANCER testified. after representative
Of the federal government called him
and asked him to be present at a
meeting to consider the drouth situa-
ton. LANCER said he had appointed
a committee for the purpose Of hand
ling such problems. The committee
met with the representative and
others.
did you have anything to do with
the allotment Of funds or the policy