Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-07-20
Convicted North Dakota
Governor Hopes Legisla-
ture Will Restore Power.
APPEALS TO FARMERS,
WHO RALLY TO SUPPORT
Acting State Executive Guarded
by Militia-Boom for Election
of Mrs. LANCER Continues.
BY the Associated Press.

BISMARCK, N Oak, July 20
William LANCER, ousted as Governor,
but still full of fight. looked for a
vulnerable spot to strike back at his
political enemies today. confident the
Legislature will restore him to power.
His chief opponent, Acting Gov.
Ole H. Olson. held the upper hand,
temporarily at least. He occupied the
executive Offices, with the backing
OF the State Supreme Court, which
ousted LANCER after his conviction
on a Federal charge Of misuse of
relief funds, and had full control OF
the North Dakota National Guard.
Impeachment Threatened.
Threatening Olson's position, how
ever, was the State Legislature. The
Legislature convened under call of
LANCER Thursday and recessed until
this afternoon, and may attempt the
impeachment of Olson and Supreme
Court judges II a quorum can be
mustered of LANCER controlled men,
bers.
In the background Acting Gov.
Olson has revoked the special session
proclamation and posted his order on
the doors of the legislative chambers.
1t was disregarded by 81 out of the
lib members of the House Thursday
and by Is of the 49 Senators.
In a step to counterfeit the implied
threat by LANCER against any Senator
refusing to heed the special session
call, Olson last night. by proclama-
ton, told the refusing members the
protection of all the legal machin-
cry" of North Dakota would be made
available to them If they disregarded
the call.
Olson was striving to get enough
members TO disregard the special ses-
sion call to dispel hopes of LANCER
for quorum,
LANCER Addresses Farmers.
Emerging from his seclusion, LANCER
last night addressed the Farmers
Holiday members at meeting here,
and announced he would go before
the Legislature, probably tomorrow,
to deliver a message.
Alarmed by the crowd Of farmers
partisan to LANCER, Lieut.. Gov. Olson
had four National Guardsmen posted
before his hotel room during the
night, while so other Guardsmen stood
on guard at the Capitol. Additional
troops were held in readiness for any
possible diStuI bance. The Holiday
Association gathering was peaceful.
however, and made no demonstration
except to cheer LANCER.
Usher L. Burdick. State president Of
the group, promised that more mem
bers were on their way here, and said
the objective of the group is to de-
mand protective farm legislation"
from the Legislature. Burdick said
the association was to demand FIVE
year moratorium on debts and reduc-
ton of the legal interest rate in the
State to ? per cent. The legal rate
now is per cent.
Sleep Out Of Doors.
Most of the holiday group failed to
obtain sleeping quarters last night
and, equipped with blankets, slept out
Of doors. Food was to be provided
today at an open-air kitchen.
LANCER was asked following the
meeting last night whether he would
ask impeachment of State officers in
his message to the Legislature.
Il leave that to the Legislature,
which is the only proper tribunal, he
said.
Meanwhile the boom continued here
for the candidacy of Mrs. LANCER on
the Republican ticket in the event
her husband is disqualified as the
nominee in the Fall because of his
conviction.
That matter is in the hands of the
Republican State Central Commit
tee" LANCER said when asked if Mrs.
LANCER will be placed on the ticket in
that event.
Declared Persecution"
LANCER reiterated his charge that
his conviction is persecution by the
Democratic national administration, "
and stated he was lighting for the
farmer"
In discussions Of possible impeach-
ment proceedings, political circles
discussed many peculiar phases that
could arise.
One was that If Olson is impeached
the ONCE Of Governor devolyeS on
Robert Byrne Secretary of State. and
an snti-Lanser man. Byrne. there
fore. was placed next in line for i'm
parchment. if the Legislature shows
an inclination TO act in that manner
III