A two-hour argument centering around the sudden disappearance of books of the Germania Printing Company, Inc., the plant where the organ of the Friends of New Germany, the Deutsche Zeitung, was printed, featured yesterday’s proceedings in the injunction suit brought by leaders of the Friends’ organization against Anton Haegele, who set up a rival Nazi organization. Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Church is hearing the case.
John H. Clark, attorney for Henry Woisin, national treasurer of the Friends who instituted the proceedings, disrupted the harmony of the courtroom when he demanded that Andrew S. Fraser, counsel for Haegele, produce the books of the Germania company. Fraser said he had no such books in his possession.
Undaunted, Clark repeated his demand, and after another refusal appealed to Justice Church to direct Fraser to produce the books.
When recess was called the mystery of the lost books remained unsolved.
On the stand almost all day, Woisin testified that the recording books were in the office of the League, 205 East Eighty-fifth street, until December 10 but had disappeared two days later when the split in the local Nazi group occurred.
Earlier in the day Woisin told of events that led up to the rift and the setting up of the American National Socialist League under the eye of Haegele.
On December 10, he said, a conference at which Dr. Hubert Schnuch, so-called national leader of the Friends, and Haegele were present was held at the home of Schnuch. At that meeting Haegele demanded that Walter Kappe, then editor of the defunct Deutsche Zeitung, be dismissed. Schnuch refused.
At this point Louis Zahne, henchman of Schnuch, asked Haegele whether he would be satisfied if only Kappe would be fired. Haegele demanded that Schnuch resign from his post as head of the League. This Schnuch refused to do and two days later Haegele and his group seceded from the League.
According to Woisin’s testimony, Haegele asked for an investigation of the Nazi paper but did not get one.
Dr. Schnuch testified at the morning session. Another witness was Theodore Strohlen.
Woisin brought the suit against Haegele to restrain him from continuing publication of the Deutscher Beobachter and from retaining control of the Friends’ offices at 226 East Eighty-sixth street. It is understood, however, that although Haegele is in control of the plant Schnuch has the mailing list tucked away.
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