Grand Forks herald., 1917-01-25

come convinced that the state-owned
terminal elevator was essential to
their prosperity, and that it had been
withheld from them through the
Vaccinations Of a combination OF
powerful business interests whose
purpose it was to impoverish the pro-
ducers of the northwest to hold them
In condition OF virtual serfdom as
the starved servants Of men rolling
in wealth which they had not pro-
duced. and welding power which they
had no right to enjoy.
That was the mental attitude of
thousands Of North DaNotans in the
spring Of 1915. 1t had it's foundation
in abuses and inequities which could
not be denied, but which could have
been made to yield to the vigorous
application Of Intelligent effort. But
those abuses and ineQuities had been
used by the professional agitator, the
charlatan. the peanut politician. and
the whole miserable crew of those
who seek to exploit their neighbors
for their own gain as the basis OF
appeals to the passions, rather than
the reason of the people, and to dis
content there had been added dis
trust, suspicion and even hatred, and
there had been a wide acceptance of
the doctrine that the farmers of
North Dakota had deliberately been
made the victims of a system of
plunder, that they We're poor, down
trodden and oppressed, that every
mans hand was against them, and
that for their own salvation their
hand must be against every man not
of their own calling. The elements
of revolution were all there in the
chemist who understood the handling
of them to assemble thcm and crystal
ize them into such explosive COM
pounds as he chose to MAKE
In whose brain the organization of
the Nonpartisan league was conceived
has never been publicly established.
1t has been stated that the plan orig
mated with A. c. Townley. and that
after he had brought it to a point
where 1t gave promise of success it
attracted tho attention of socialists
of national prominence and was Civ
en- their aid. 1t also has been stated
that the plan itself originated with
national leaders of the socialist move
ment, and that Mr.. Townley and his
visible associates have merely been
carrying out the plans devised by
| others. Whatever tho facts may be
as to this, it Is undoubtedly true that
formed in person by Mr. Townley in
the western counties of North Da-
kota.
MIR. Townley's career has been
varied and tcmpestuous one. He has
engaged in numerous occupations,
and has operated in several states. A
gigantic farming enterprise which he
undertook at Beach collapsed and left
him stranded. with an immense in
he had been an active member Of
socialist organizations, and a preacher
of the doctrines OF that society. &C
cording to the statements Of other
members he was aggressive and con-
tentious. and his determination to die
tate and dominate In whatever posi-
ton he found himself led to numerous
clashes in the socialist group OF which
he was n member. In the spring OF
1915 he began the orga n!zation of the
society which has since grown to such
remarkable proportions. He pro-
posed to the farmers wnom he ap-
preached that they should organize
for concerted political action for the
promotion of the policies which he
presented in the form "f n program"
and from those who werc willing. he
collected fees for years member
ship. These fees have varied. The
figure, 1t appears. was at first one
dollar month, then a lump sum of
six dollars for the year, and later
nine dollars year, which Is the pres
ent fee. For this the subscriber was
guaranteed years subscription to
Pearson's magazine. the leading So
cialistic organ Of the country, and
years subscription to weekly paper
to be established III this state at
later date. and to serve as the state
! organ Of the, association. This paper,
the NOn-Partisan Leader, has since
been esta blished a. Fargo, is sent to
the members, and is conducted along
the familiar socialistic lines.
The work Of orgn nization expanded.
Mr.. Townley elected himself presi-
dent and chose four others to serve
with him as an executive committee.
General offices werc opened. and soli
citors We're appointed. cacn with an
automobile, and the entire state was
covered. If the prospective member
had money 1t was accepted in pay
ment of dues. If not. notes or checks
were taken. Farmers In good finan-
cial standing who were enthusiastic
over the movement were induced to
sign notes in payment for automo-
biles, and paper of this kind repre-
senting many thousands of dollars, is
said to be af1oat or awaiting payment.
The league has never been organized
in any regular form. There are no
general meetings at which members,
either in person or through their
chosen representatives. may determine
tho po1icioS op6 ,r,'onpe for the man