The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-01
buttons from federal employees.
Mcdonald Solicited Him

DutlonS from federal employees.
Mcdonald Solicited Him
French testified Harold Mcdonald
Leader" solicitor, came to him In the
relief administration supply offices,
about July /, 1888.
He asked me II I'd ever had the
proposition put up to me-" French
explained. Il asked him what pro-
position?' and he said The Leader
He said 1t Is your pledge Of five pei
cent Of your salary toward the Nom
partisan Leader, so that the paper
can be distributed, in order that the
people can learn and know the
truth"
He wanted me to sign the pledge
giving five per cent Of my salary"
French testified but said I wanted
to take it up with Kinzer first"
Mcdonald returned In the afternoon
Of the same day, French testified, but
in the meantime French, according to
his testimony, had conferred with
other employees and with Kinzer.
"Kinzer stated no pressure would
be given from that office" French
related.
When McDonld returned French
and he talked alone. the witness tes-
i titled.
HE gave me the pledge and sign
ed It," French explained. He show
ed me the checks. They were written
for one year-l2 checks-payablc
monthly. Each was for four dollars.
/ c{rnoa tho NC
did you pay any OF them?" Dis
trict Attorney p. w. Lar1ier asked.
Paid Three Installments
Three Of EN-" French replied.
where did you get the money to
make the payments?" Lanier inquir-
ed.
"Out of my salary" French said.
"Out of federal relief employment
money!"
"Yes," French said he received his
salary checks from Kirzer. who sign.
ed them.
French said the checks he gave Nc
Donald were post dated and were
drawn on the Bank of North Dakota,
although he had no bank account.
The first check was dated September
l. 1888. Some Of them he wrote HIM
self, French said, and some were writ
ten by Mcdonald.
did you tell him to bring them?"
Lanier queried.
II did not" answered French. The
witness identified three checks as
those he had paid.
Payment Of the first check was
made to Joseph Kinzer, son Of r. A.
Kinzer, and q defendant. Young
Kinzer was an employc Of, the relief
administration. Payment Of the first
check was made OH the second floor
Of the federal building. French said.
The second check came due October
l, 1888. French testified. and was like
wise paid to the younger Kinzer.
where did you make that pay
ment?" Lanier asked.
II made it in this room" French
answered. Prior to the trial, the
courtroom had been used as an office
for federal emergency relief en-
ployes. One other payment was made
by him to young Kinzer In what Is
now the courtroom in which the trial
is being conducted, French said.
After he had made three payments,
French said he decided to make no
more.
Needed Christmas Money
"Why didn't you pay the rest Of the
checks?" Lanier asked
well, Christmas was coming on
and it was the first Christmas Ia
had in three or four years and !
wanted to make 1t a good one.'
French testified he had been with
out work for three years. He is mar
RED and has wife and child. French
said when he first began to work ne
received $50 monthly, and now re-
ceives Sis. Formerly, he lived at
Beulah, N. D. French said he re-
ceived his job from the elder Kin
ger.
Judge A. M. Christensen, admin
istrator Of the federal relief forces,
issued an order telling employees to
make no political contributions.
French testified. This added to his
determination to make no further
contributions, French said.
"Were you interested IN Inc Lead
er'?" Lanier sought.
II was interested in my job."
French replied, succintly.
George Thorp, defense counsel. be-
gan his cross-examination with the
question:
you're still working there, aren't
your" to which French answered.
'Yes."
Sold One Subscription
did you ever read the newspapers
about these subscriptions" Thorp
asked.
Eyes"
did 1t make you scared?'
ut did"
Because Of what you saw in the
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