Grand Forks herald., 1917-02-19

standing at the rear. but none Of
the motion in any manner.
Those against 1t rise and those
standing who are opposed to It. hold
up your hands," said Townley. No.
Ill put that another way. Those
against 1t rise and put up your hands
and those standing put up their
hands,"
Those standing when the first vote
was taken were not asked to raise
their hands If they agreed with Town
ley. That wouldn't do. for, II they
went wrong. they could all be counted
as standing.
But the opposition paid no atten-
ton to Townley. They got up and
left, knowing that the league men
would say 1t was unanimous VIC
tory, which Mr. Brinton so faithfully
did.
During the discussion of the resolu-
ton, some very interesting things
were brought out.
How did you become presidents"
demanded someone.
why. I talked the league over
with few farmers in McHenry coun-
ty and they agreed that it would be
q good thing II we could put it by.
I told them that we'd make it go. So
they agreed on five men (Townley
among them) as an executive COM
mittee. They agreed that should be
president because I was doing the
thing"
Mr.. Sorlie had mentioned the fact
held.
Townley explained that by saying
that when farmer signed his
membership he agreed to me as
president"
How much does the league pay
you?" asked another
'They paid me 800 a month sal
ary and 800 a month expenses at
first. Now I'm getting $500 a month
salary and 5000 a month expenses"
mo wonder you're PRESIDENT"
shouted another
Townley told how "big business''-
an expression which always sounds
good to leaguers-had made a failure
Of him as farmer.
'Then, I joined the socialist party"
he said. because they were the on
ly ones who were doing anything. But
some Of their program was too
mot for you. Townley"' shouted
someone.
II quit them. then" he said.
Then, he told Of organizing tho
league at the Equity convention in
Bismarck two years ago. He and A.
e. Bowen-who ran for governor on
the socialist ticket-started 1t, he ex-
planned.
"If You only wanted one terminal
elevator why didn't you put a limit
on the state deht?" asked Mr.. Sorlie.
why. good God, Sorlie." shouted
Townley, I'VE left that to the senate.
The house did that on purpose. They
sent it to the senate to see II they
wouldn't put limit to it, and they
wouldn't"
A very neat alibi. this man Town
ley has.
THAT wasn't the only Objectionable
thing," said Mr.. sorlie.
why didn't you pass the two-cent
passenger rate bill?" asked Mr.. sorlie.
Because the railroad attorneys,
themselves, told us it was unconstitu-
tional. They said they could knock
it out in any court"
And. because Townley likes the
constitution so we'll. and, because 1t
ls the right thing to listen to lobbyists
ana follow their advice on legislation
which they do not like, Townley call
ed of his 81 representatives.
It was very interesting and excit-
Ing meeting they had at Hatton.
4OWAAoy"tHe puEple-TODGQ, $10-
per-head saviour Of the farmer-was
there in all his insolence. So was ].
M. Brinton, his hired man, ready
made and well-schooled chairman and
explainer So was Elmer Nelson, the
local catspaw. who ran the meeting
like an NJ. A. graduate of Townley'a
School Of Tactics. So was ]. E. Kul-
stad. the socialistic disturber and
demagogue. who did an awful lot for
Grand Forks by leaving the city.
So was M. v. Boldly, secretary of
the Equity Cooperative Exchange.
But Mr.. Boldly said his say in a gem
tleraanly way. He was there to tell
what the Equity society was doirg g,
and he told 1t fairly and sincerely.
There was no abuse. no ridicule, no
bull-dozing in his speech. AS a re-
suit, Mr.. Boldly made good impress
sion and won many friends.
Townley admitted that he had been
a socialist; Brinton. affecting the
flowing tie Of temperamental mon and
socialistic agitators sarcastically ad-
mitted that he was a socialist and