Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-26
EXPULSION OF La TOILETTE FROM
SENATE DEMANDED BY MINNESOTA
PUBLIC SAFETY BODY AFTER A
HEARING; TOWNLEY ON THE GRID
Car of Nonpartisan League Got Real Griling Yesterday
Says There are 10000 Members in North Dakota
Roster Evidently Has Shrunk.

Chicago, Sept. 26.-The executive
committee of the Chicago branch Of
the National Security league appoint-
ed u subcommittee yesterday to draft
resolutions calling upon congress to
oust senator LaFollette. The draft
was made and will be submitted to the
whole committee later.
St. Paul, Sept. 26.--Expulsion of
Senator Robert NJ. LaFollette, or
Wisconsin,, from the United States
dressed to that body yesterday by the
Minnesota Public Safety commission
Senator LaFollette is accused in the
commission resolution of making an
address of disloyal and seditious ma
ture at a public meeting before a
large audience at the Non-partisan
league conference last Thursday night
in this city.
The commission also referred to
the United States district attorney the
matter Of the conduct of Senator La
Toilette and others at the same meet
Ing, with a request that the parties, If
found to have violated any federal
statutes, be vigorously prosecuted.
The action of the commission came
at the close of an executive session OF
six hours duration, given almost eX-
clusively to consideration of LaFol-
lette's speech and a searching exami-
nation of A. C. Townley. president OF
the Nonpartisan league. The latter
expressed his disappointment at the
statements in which the senator in
dulged and disclaimed responsibility
for permitting the ~utterances.
Governor Burnqpist said later that
the attorneys having advised thai
there was no infraction of state laws,
the commission was compelled to be
content with referring the matter to
federal authorities for action. .
Townley Made Promises.
President Townley and others
connected with the meeting had giver
repeated assurances that the meetlnl
would be confined to discussions OF
economic questions and that war is,
sues would be left untouched saic
the governor. Mr.. Townley said to-
day that when a m was hearc
that Senator LaFollette would change
his subject and talk on war, a dele
cation was sent to wait upon him
and was told that he would talk or
the assigned topics. and on that rep
resentation he was permitted tt
speak. He added that he once inter
rupted the senator to remind him Of
his pledge to refrain from talking
about the war, but to no avail"
Another officer of the commission
repeated that only after positive as
suranc was given that nothing of 6
disloyal or seditious nature would be
permitted was the meeting allowed
to be conducted, and added that thu
commission never felt justified il
hating the proceedings"
President Townley stoutly denied
making any improper remarks ant
offered to supply copies of his speech
to support his statements in reply tt
questions fred at him by all members
Of the commission during his exami
nation.
Quiz Townley at Length.
Appearing at the request Of tn.
commission, and accompanied by hi
attorney, James Manahan, Presiden
Townley was cross-questioned as t.
the purposes and strength Of the Non
taken almost verbatim. Whether al
investigation of the league will be car
ried further, Governor Burnquist sale
tonight, probably will depend on fut
ure developments.
President Townley told the commits
sion that the league, organized il
North Dakota last year, now has NOR,
llldI lVU,UUu IIltIIlpSIS Ol whom dp
proXimately 10000 are in Minnesota
10000 are in North Dakota and a lik,
number in South Dakota, while tn,
remaining 10000 members are scatter
ed over four or five states, %extendin,
south to Oklahoma.
The first purpose of the league, h,
continued, Is to protect the Interest,"
and welfare of the farmers. It i
especially active at this time, he SAIL
~ 1114ral Jtr1, ;~a{~a {;~~ -. L -
farmer who cannot afford to sell hi
wheat at 1920 a bushel when fou.
prices remain or a high level and 9th
err necessities of life and agriculture
pursuits make unreasonable demand
on his resources.
Tried to Arouse Farmers.
Members Of the commission indicat
ed their position to the effect that tn
league leaders should have appeale,
to the commission for the relief de
sired instead Of resorting to the sprea,
Of such propaganda as might refiec
on federal policies designed to the sue
cessful conduct of the war. Presiden
Townley said the league officers be
lieved it necessary to arouse the farm
ers to the conditions and then throug,
their influence to go direct to the ma
tional government for relief.
President Has a Report.
The Public Safety commission meet
ing was behind closed doors at tn
capitol. Secretary H. W. Libby sal
the commission might defer in tn
matter to President Wilson, followin
he report that a personal representa-
tive of President Wilson heard Sena
tor La Follette's speech and lei
Immediately to give his impression
to the president. The Public Safet
commission will await. action by tn
government. said one commissions
This would be advisable in my opinio
for the added reason that the act 9
congress passed June 15, is especial
" adapted to dealing with such case
which are hardly covered by the Mir
nesota laws
The same official said Presider
Lincoln encountered like condition
during the Civil war and because tn
state laws did not meet the situatio
began o%usting congressman who fail
ed to give loyal support.
al embarrassing phase Of TIL
problem according to the commits