Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-07-01
ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER

In many quarters there has been a lot Of timidity
with reference to the Nonpartisan league. its membership,
its policies and its leadership. Men who knew that the
tendencies Of the league were dangerous, that its policies
were unsound. and that It's leadership was characterless
were afraid to say SO because Of the fear that they might
lose some trade from league members. Even when,
through the activities Of the league management the
state was being advertised as a disloyal state, these tim
orous ones were not aroused to the seriousness Of the
situation. and they failed to assert themselves in defense
of their opinions as free and independent citizens. Mer-
chants here and there have been afraid that the leaguers
might buy their goods elsewhere. Bankers here and there
have been afraid that the deposits Of league members
would be withdrawn from their institutions. Newspaper
men here and there have feared that they would be boy
cotted by members of the league. that their circulation
would fall off, and that local merchants would be afraid
to advertise in their columns If they told what they knew
to be the truth about Townley and his associates.
1t is not possible to work up much sympathy for those
who have been so feeble. SO lacking in backbone as to
permit the desire to protect their trade to blind them, not
only to the great issues of the day. which ought to appeal
to any man as of supreme importance. but to their own
personal interest. While they have been straddling and
balancing, and trying to placate the Townley machine,
that machine has been industriously going on its way.
working out its own plans, and regarding with contemp-
tuous Indifference the sycophantic behavior of those who
sNSS "S
lacked the courage to stand up on their own hind legs and
fight either for their owl interests or the interests of the
country
The country banker who has walked softly for fear
OF giving offense may be interested in noting at this time
that Mr.. Townley has started a chain Of banks which
are to be operated in his interest. Presently he may be
offered the price which Townley chooses to make for a.
controlling interest in his institution, to be paid in farm
ers' notes for dues, with the alternative Of seeing a rival
bank planted across the street from him.
The country merchant may have heard something
of the chain of stores which has already been started, and
which,. If the movement goes on. will put him out Of
business as surely as the sun will continue to rise.
The, country newspaper man has seen newspaper
after Newspaper gobbled up by the Townaey crowd, and
men who at one time were owners of their own papers,
and free to say what they pleased and what they believed
the interest of their community demanded, have either
gone looking for new jobs or are working now as little
wheels in the Townley machine.
1t is evident that the gum-shoe policy does not pro-
duce results. Those who have followed it are getting
tempt by the bosses whose favor they have sought.
A lot of people have succeeded in getting by without
saying very definitely where they stand on anything. All
that must be stopped. A man must be known as loyal
or disioyal; as for decent government or against it.: as
for dictation by Townley or against it; as for sound BUSH
ness policies or for wildcat financing. He is going to be
asked pointedly by his neighbors to make his position
known on the issues which are of importance today, If
he declare himself on the wrong side he will have a fight
on his hands. If he fails to declare himself it will be
assumed that he is on the wrong side, and he may look
for a fight in that case.