The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-05-02

IOWnley was given an OppOl
ment of Judge J. r. MCGEE of n
Mes0ta public safety commission
Of the Chamberlain court marti
.. Support for War
aI5Reciting support given to the war
in wheat planting states and Liberty
loan subscriptions by farmers in Min
nesota and North Dakota belonging tC
the league Townley categorically de-
MED the organization was disloyal. He
admitted he was under Indictment, and
said McGee's charges were not the
first made against him and the
leagues members.
I'VE do not want to stand before
the country and the world and be
branded as traitors" he said.
Senator Reed of Missouri, declaring
Townleys hearing IAN unusual pro.
ceeding," said Judge McGee had
stricken from the record statements
referred to by ToWnley as rejecting
upon the loyalty of the leagues men,
bership.
Charge Withdrawn-Untrue
"Our people don't know that the
charge-widely published in our
states-was withdrawn" Townley re-
piled. "Since the charge is with
drawn, ! think it is agreed by Judge
MCGEE and everybody else that it Is
untrue.
"rhis is very serious charge
against a great many people," said
Townley. "The majority Of the voters
and their sympathizers OF North Da-
kOta are members of the league, in.
Guiding the governor and state off,
GERS and the legislature of North Da.
skota. We do not want to be Ostra-
cized. If the charge is true, great
many people in the northwestern
states would be traitors"
Ninety Per Cent Farmers Members
Townley said 80 per cent of North
Dakota farmers belong to the league,
and that about $4,000 each in North
Dakota and Minnesota are members
In both states, he said, there had been
over subscription to Liberty bonds.
Senator Weeks of Massachusetts de-
veloped that the leagues actual dues
are So.
Leagues Loan Subscriptions
'That would make receipts OF at
least 100000 year, he observed.
How much did the league, as an Or
ganization, subscribe to the Loan
Townley replied nothing had been
subscribed to the first and second
loans, but that $4,000 had been taken
in the third.
Judge Wick was selected as the orat-
or for the opening session this morn
ing when word was received by =. M.
Clark. campaign manager OF the LIN
coin Republican League. that Govern
or J. A. Burnquist of Minnesota, who
had promised to be present and speak,
could not fill the engagement owing to
pressure of executive business.
Delegates Enthusiastic.
There was marked enthusiasm a
mong the delegates, many OF whom ar
rived in Minot on Monday. The early
morning trains yesterday Drought
more and last night over two hundred
we're in the city. The League leaders
had not anticipated that so many or
the delegates would be on hand last
evening or some sort OF public rally
would have been planned. 80 .
The meeting this morning was open
to the public but when the conference
onened this afternoon the doors were
closed to all save the delegates. Mr..
Clark stated this morning that should
the business to come before the con-
ference not be finished by tive-thlrty O.
clock this afternoon, the meeting
would adjourn until this evening. so
far as could be learned no one man
has been mentioned for office. From
various parts of the state come dll1er-
ent suggestions and it may take some
time to discuss them all. AS there are
delegates present representing the IN
denendent Political Association or
North Dakota as we'll as the new
North Dakota Farmers League, they
will also be given consideration. It
is the plan to have the conference en-
dorse complete state and congress-
ional ticket and adopt platform
which will be placed before the cleo
tors of North Dakota at the primaries
The interesting feature OF the gain.
erings at various hotels in the city last
evening was the number of farmers
who were present. Farmers were
present from all sections of the state
and so far are easily in the majority
Undoubtedly plans seeking to better
farming conditions in this state will
no included in the platform the con-
terence adopts The new North Da-
kota Farmers League has platform
with which they have appealed to the
farmers in the northwestern part OF
the state and the main points OF their
platform will likely be found in the
nlatform adopted by the conference
The North Dakota Farmers League
representatives stated this morning
that their organization has not endors'
cd a state ticket and they are attend
ing the Lincoln Republican League
conference in the hopes OF joining
hands with that organization ana CIV
ing the opposition on the Repuoncan
ticket a strong front to meet. me
delegates of the Independent Political
association are practically in the
same position. If the conference Sc
lects state ticket and adopts plat.
form which will meet the approval OF
all. unity of effort will mark the cam,
nafen, There is general belie1 IN an
quarters that such unity vii be the
result of the session this afternoon
Oppose Mcdonald.
Among the teachers and edacatUrs
who attended the convention OF the
Northwestern Educational Assoclat,oA
last Thursday, Friday and SATURDAY
nrnn0nnrP0