The Wrangell sentinel., 1943-03-12
W. p. Sharpe
 TeStifieS At
 Labor Hearing

JUNEAU An audience which oyerflowed into the halls and onto the floor of the Senate Chambers Tuesday night heard the prosecution complete it's side Of the case against former Commissioner Of Labor Michael J. Haas and former em- ployee Senator A. p. Walker.
 The committee making the in- yestigation has recessed now until next Monday evening at o'clock when Haas and Walker will be given the privilege of answering. The lapse of time is for the pur- pose of supplying Haas and Walker with copies of the record and to al- low time for a consideration of these records.
 Edmund J. Krause. who was a candidate for the Territorial House Of Representatives on the Republi- can ticket in the First Division in last years election. was the first witness called last night
 Haas Offered Deal
 He said that he met Haas prior to the last general election after an acquaintance had told him that Haas wanted to see him. He said that he called on Haas at the La bor Department office and that Haas asked him if he wanted to be elected
 Krause said that Haas then told him if he would come out for Haas and other candidates in public. and condemn a certain candidate on the Democratic ticket in public, b e would guarantee him the under ground support Of the Democratic Party
 Krause stated further that Haas. then told him that John Coyich, former inspector for the Depart ment, had conducted a survey in Ketchikan to determine who was the most popular man on the Re- publican ticket and that KrauseI was the man.
 Later, members of the commit lee asked Krause who the Demo- cratic candidate was that Haas had asked Krause to condemn in public. }[rause said that he did not wish To answer that question He was so ordered to answer. At that time, Speaker James Y. Davis of the House spoke up from the floor say-I ing. T have no objection, Mir Chairman. Krause then said that the Democratic candidate referred to by Haas was Davis.
 Another Visit
 krause said that at a later date, last December, shortly before pres ent Commissioner Walter P. sharpeI became the incumbent. he had oc-I easion to visit the Department on a labor matter for a friend. He said that A. P. Walker was then in charge of the office. Krause said that he asked Walker about a gen eral rumor that was going around then that there was no more money left in the Departments funds and that Walker told him there was ..plenty Of money"
 Krause said he then told Walker that he had checked records in the Auditors office ana found that there was only s2, left. He ask ed Walker about this and said Walk CTS answer was that then Haas lied to me
 Krause said he also asked Walk CT about a rumor that Walker had taken the job with the Department in order to campaign. Krause said Walker replied, Sure I did I was broke''
 Sharpe Testifies Again
 Sharpe then took the chair and answered questions concerning the amounts of stationery, envelopes, stencils and postage purchased by the Department prior to his taking office He said that 25,S00 sheets of mimeograph paper was purchas- ed and 5000 are left. He said that 17,250 envelopes were purchased of all kinds, some blank and some with the Departments return ad- dress printed on them. Sharpe said that 7,5O0 of the printed envelopes were left He said that 4,250 blank envelopes were purchased with the Departments funds and none of these were left.
 Four gross of stencils were pur- chased. Sharpe said, and two were left Some of the forms which were lun on these stencils were left in The files. Sharpe said.
 Purchases Before Election
 Sharpe then listed purchases of Tostage stamps and said that heavy purchases were made in February, .farch and April, before the election. JIe said that this also was true of office supplies.
 Attorney General Henry Roden then called Miss Nell McCloskey to the stand She was Secretary for the former Commissioner of Labor and continues in the Capacity of Chief Clerk for Sharpe.
 Correspondence which she admit
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