The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1947-01-03
Senator LANCER Connected With Nazis-

eck's second conviction, he mentioned
this nazi agent only indirectly and not
by name. Not once, however, did he
mention the character or the extent OF
their activities
LANCER ordered a quantity of re-
prints of this speech, which were mail
ed out by many of the defendants
under his frank. In other words, the
taxpayers money was used to distrib-
ute propaganda attacking the govern
ment's case. These franked envelopes
bore, in bold-face type, the legend
1.-THE Washington, d. C. Sedition
Trial SO effective was this speech
regarded by the defendants, that Win
rod issued special plea for funds
based on it -.
Says LANCER Got $751; 900
In Shady Deals
Gust why persons charged with
sedition in wartime-and, in some in
stances, already convicted = should
flock to Senator LANCER and should ap-
parently be so confident of his support
is matter of speculation. The fact is
that they did. Perhaps they were
aware that the North Dakotan has had
a checkered political career. In 1887
and 1888 as governor of his state,
LANCER was paid first $4,000 and
later $56,800 in questionable transac-
lions. The $4,000 came from a close
friend, Thomas V. Sullivan, a Chicago
lawyer who at the time represented,
others, the Great Northern
Railway Co., large corporate tax
payer in North Dakota. Sullivan paid
out this sum partially in 1887 and
partially in August, 1888. Fifteen days
later, the State Board of Equalization
reduced the assessed valuation of the
Great Northern's property in North
Dakota by more than 100000.
LANCER was ex-officio chairman of this
board and voted for the reduction.
Senator Denied All Wrong-Dong
"Sullivan's quid pro quo for his $685.
300 was one-half interest in a stock of
a North Dakota company whose prin-
cipal asset was land in Mexico long
since appropriated by the Mexican
government. Actually, Sullivan receiv-
ed neither a receipt nor stock certi-
iicates for his $4,000. When asked by
he Senate Privileges and Elections
Committee investigating his acts as a
public official whether Sullivan had
received nothing in writing to show
ais half-interest in the stock, LANCER
himself replied Absolutely nothing
"The $56,S0O came from one Gregory
3runk of Des MOines, who, in partner
ship with V. w. Brewer of Mime
lpolis, made a profit Of nearly 100000
n transactions in North Dakota, of
which Lnger, as governor, was eX-offi-
10 a member of the Board of Direc-
ors, to finance their deals. Brunk and !
Brewer arranged with various cOun- |
les in the State to acquire their re-
unding bonds and then dispose of
hem to the State Bank of North Da-
,ota at a tremendous profit. In eX-
hange for his $56,800 Brunk received |
rom Governor LANCER land in North |
Dakota with an equity value of $4,000, |
nd on which the unpaid taxes amount
ID to more than the equity-$6,846.20.
3runk himself told the Senate Com
nittee that when his partner, Brewer,
eard of his deal, he was fair to mid
lin Mortified He added candidly: 4
10 not think any businessman would
pprove any part of it.
"In view of Vierecks record and
lso Of Senator Langer's, submit that I
senator Langer's support of Viereck's
emand for clemency should carry
o weight" IN FACT, $50 Lafayette
It., New York II, N. Y.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES