Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-24
AS IT WAS IN 1912

In his recent testimony before the senate COMMITTEES
In Washington Mr.. Townley, on being specifically qeestion-
ed on that point, could recall no connection between So
cailisfn +and. the fNbhpartisan League. when asked about
the socialism. of Gilbert, lie seuersand. others. he pleaded
ignorsncs$in some cases and in Others said that the indi-
vaduals vote the Republican tckethEsssi ss.sTs:
aEs The. Herald ms been Interested in this .csnnectipqnl in
looking over i copy Of the North Dakota Call Of Febru-
airy Is. 1912. which has just come to its attention. The
Call was the. official organ Of the Socialist party in North
Dakota, was published at Devils Lake, and at the, top Of
the editorial column appears the name of Arthur Leseuer
as editor-in-chief. OF course, anyone who knows any
thing Of the history of Mr.. Leseuer knows that he has
been an active and persistent advocate Of socialist prin-
Tciples, and that during his residence in this state lie was
one Of the most prominent members of the Socialist party.
This six-year-old copy Of the party paper, however, fur
nishes convenient documentary evidence. The activity Of
the other men who are now prominent in the Nonparti-
san organization in the Socialist party is also we'll known.
Mr.. rownley himself has registered as a member of tina:
party. /
Aside from the matter of formal membership in an
organization, which may for the time being have been
discontinued by some of these men. it is interesting to
glance over the Socialist party platform which was adopt
ed by the Socialist corvention. the record of which ap-I
pears in this issue of the old Call. The platform declares
in favor Of the state ownership and operation of terminal
elevators. packing plants and cold storage plants at the
principal distributing points within the state; for state
ownership and not operation Of banks, and for state life.
fire, hail. pest and animal insurance Was the inspiration
for the program of the Nonpartisan league derived
from the Socialist party, or was it not?
~ In the legislative program advocated by this organi-
zation which has so many points of similarity with the
present league, we find listed a bill to legalize boycotts
and picketing in connection with strikes, something Of
which many Of our farmers have had interesting expert
ences, even though these things have not been legalized.
Another proposal advocated is for a constitutional
amendment providing for local option by municipalities
regarding the sale Of liquor. Under the circumstances.
therefore. a close working alliance between the Nonpar-
tisan league and the brewing interests need cause no sur
prise. ..-. -
Among the candidates nominated at the convention
reported in the Call was A. E. Bowen. who has always
professed to be a Socialist ever since he professed to be
anything politically, and who has been one of the shining
lights in the Eonpartisan organization. and who was
made clerk Of the state house Of representatives at the
last session by the votes of the Nonpartisan members.
All Of this is not news to North Dakota readers. but
when the facts are SO we'll known and are matters of rec
ord, one getstA clear impression Of the colossal .impudence
OF Mr. Townley in trying to deny or disguise these fhcts
in a public hearing before a committee Of the United
States senate. H""%&es "
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