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Wall Street Plot to Whip Ford Behind Bank Closings In Detroit, Banker Charges
ETROIT June 26. (/P)-A witness' charge that long-standing Wall street plot to "strangle" Henry Ford lay directly behind the closing of two national banks Detroit tonight rested one-man grand jury investigating the city's involved banking affairs. The charge, the most sensational in two weeks of open testimony. made by Herbert R. Detroit detailing his knowlaffairs leading to the closing of the Guardian National up Bank Commerce, which, with the First National did not reopen after the Michigan WITHERING HEAT holiday. street believed it had chance by tying up Ford's deposits in the Michigan banks," declared Wilkin, "to so deplete his working capital that he must deal with them or go broke. think they REGION WIDE realized that here was the time finish what they had started. But they were sadly fooled." Slight Relief Promised in
Previously in his testimony the witness had startled his hearers with the declaration that $4,000,000 removed from the two banks before the statewide holiday was proclaimed Feb. 14. He said two such withdrawals were those of Mrs. James Couzens, wife of the Michigan senator, and the Second National bank of Houston.
Texas.
He also asserted that many checks had been cleared through the Detroit clearing house after the bank holiday had been declared.
Houston, he said, the home of Jesse H. Jones, chairman of the Finance He proceeded in testimony to link the failure of the Guardian National bank, from which he said the money was withdrawn, obtain loan with the Houston withdrawals, saying "when the withdrawals were made, the impression going get the In testimony, Wilkin said he Jones connected with the Houston bank, but while testifying word ceived from Jones himself Washington, and from officials of the Houston bank, that the R. chairman had connections with the Texas institution. Firmly, and with curt answers, Wilkin gave story what termed "the Wall street in questioning by Prosecutor Harry Toy, before Judge Harry B. Keidan, sitting the jury, which is holding public sessions.
Wilkin, remained the stand day, charged that as the Second National bank of Saginaw were undervalued by federal examiners, and charged for the purpose of cooperating with wanted the bank stock price which was not equitable.' Most the Saginaw stock held by the Guardian group. The bank finally was purchased by Perry Shorts, bank of Detroit, and group of ing the price was $400,000. He said their first offer was and, after the group went into they reduced the offer $54,000. The bank's receiver, however, held out for finally accepted $400,000, Wilkin testified.