The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-31
Townley's Own Story
Of How N. P. League
Work Was Launched

convinced that something was neces-
sary to remedy conditions under which
the business Of farming is being con-
Quoted in the northwest" Out OF
these many conversations with the
farmers there grew the great idea
the organization Of all the farmers OF
North Dakota
From that small beginning that
idea that grew up in the mind Of one
man-there has grown today's North
Dakota Farmers Nonpartisan Politi-
cal league - with the over whelmins
vision of its leaders who now look
not to the mere control Of the North
Dakota state government. but to the
control of every state government OF
every state in the union. and to the
naming of president of the United
States as means to their detectives.
In Bismarck, during the 1915 session
Of the legislature. Mr.. Townley says
he first met Frank Wood. now vice
president Of the Nonpartisan league
and a member of the famous "bie
Ave-" They talked of plan to
organize the farmers. and it was
agreed. Townley says, that he was to
go to- McHenry county in the summer
Of 1915 to begin the work.
1t was in Bismarck, too, where the
famous Society of Equity meeting was
held. at which Albert e. Bowen, now
prominent league worker, made his
first address, explaining the plan Of a
new political party - a Nonpartisan
uarty-that was to cure the economic
evils of the age.
He Meets Wood.
On March 1, Townley went to Deer
ing. called up Frank Wood by teTe-
phone. and informed him Of his pres
ence in the district
what the devil you doing here?'
Townley quotes Wood as saying to
him over the telephone.
81 had promised Wood would re-
turn in the middle of the summer and
there was. in the dead Of winter. No
was doing there. But Wood hitched
UP his team and drove to town, and
can remember. Just as distinctly as
though it was but yesterday, almost
every detail Of our meeting.
Try II On Neiahhor.
II went out to Woods farm, and we
spent two days talking about the idea
and how to put it into operation. So
we decided. on the second day. to try
it out. We hitched up team of
horses to a sleigh. and drove over to
neighbor farm. Howard Wood ac-
companying me. Frank Wood didn't
take to the idea as rapidly as did his
son. You know. it takes a little longer
to excite an older mainland Howard,
of course. being young, was ready to
jump into the plan with enthusiasm.
I'VE called on Woods neighbor, ex-
plained 1.-The idea of the Nonpartisan
league, and he paid us Sc. That was
the beginning. .-
1--WE came home. thoroughly salts
fled with the venture. The next day
we drove over to another neighbor,
and made another member, getting bis
check for Sc. s .. .-..
ION the third day we saw FIVE or
six farmers and they all signed up.
Frame Program-Name Officers.
"Then we took stock. We decided
that the thing would go. so we formed
the committee. We had to have a
business organization. and we also
framed the program-out there in
Frank Woods home on the prairie.
The program was drawn up on piece
of paper, and we also grouped the ex-
ecutive committee. Naturally. / have
been the leader, I was made president.
Frank Wood didn't want to go on the
committee at first, it being planned to
name Howard Wood, but later Frank
Wood consented to become commit
tee member. The organization plan
was submitted to the several farmers
who were then members of the new
porn league, ana they approved or 1t.
And so, when each member was
signed up, he approved of the organi-
cation. You remember, league mem
bers, that there was clause anent
the organization-and I have a sort
of a notion that each time member
signed that membership list, he cast
vote for me for president / don't
remember any votes being cast against
me, but I am sure had a majority.
There has been a demand, from
time to time, for a new election. Jerry
Bacon wanted an election. o. ]. Sor-
lie wanted an election; DR.. Guild
wanted an election. Anything for an
election.