Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-24
TOWNLEY MADE
$925,o0O ON
STORE SCHEME
Consumers United Stores
Co. Discussed by Doyle
in Drake Address.

from which the Townley chain store
tree was sprouted vas exhumed here
Monday night by S. j.. Doyle, speaking
before a Drake audience at h close
of the first week Of his campaign tour
that is taking him into every section
Of the state.
Down at Beach, the former home Of
President A. c. Townley Of the Nom
partisan league, the one-time abode
Of ]. w. Brinton, his personal repre-
sentative, where the Farmers Supply
company Of Beach, N. D., was founded
several years with Mr.. Brinton as
the leading spirit, manager, ETC., was
laid the foundation for the structure
that had netted Mr.. Townley, accord
ing to his own sworn testimony,
100000 nine months ago, and the
proceeds from which are believed to
have been materially increased since
that time.
At Beach, too, according to Mr..
Doyle's statement, the buyers GER
tificate" plan was used, and he read
to the audience a copy of the certifi-
cate employed there.
This is a certificate in a little
concern that Mr.. Brinton f1oated at
Beach, N. D., before he branched out
as manager Of the Consumers United
Stores and I venture the assertion that
he will not attempt to start one Of the
new Townley stores there" said Mr..
Doyle.
"If you are interested in knowing
what became of the farmers money
invested in these certificates of the
Farmers Supply company Of Beach,
N. D., you a write to almost anyone
in Beach or Lone Tree township,
Golden Valley county, and secure a
l;ct ~ - ~ $h0 o4~%sH1~%@ L41I4r1
and l am sure by writing to these
certificate holders you will gather
some information which will be quite
instructive, and If you are contemplat-
ing an investment in&he Townley store
scheme, it will prove profitable for
YOU to make this little Investigation
Dealing with the Consumers United
Stores company, which has sold to
/. several thousand farmers certificates
trading for cash at stores owned by
the company that Mr.. Townley on
trolls through dummy stockholders,
Mr.. Doyle said
We have read and heard a great
deal during the last year about war
profteers. and I agree that n man
who takes advantage of his country's
stress in time of a to secure alb
normal profits on the commodity he
AAdo ~ cCA1, uSSCItcS lI10 COIOGullld-
ton. of all good citizens; and I am
proud Of the record which is being
made by President Wilson and his ad-
m~inistration in the ferreting out and
exposing to public scorn men OF this
caliber in the nation.
"We have, however, an instance in
this state that seems to me to have
made quite a record in the line OF
profiteering. This institution is
known as the Consumers United
Stores company, organized and man.
aged under the direct supervision OF
Mr.. Townley, according to his sworn
statement at Bismarck last February
I mention this not because it is a
matter which especially concerns the
general public, but only insofar as il
indicates the methods pursued by
these self-appointed saviours Of the
farmers of North Dakota
"Mr. Townley testified at his bank.
ruptcy hearing in Bismarck that hi
had collected from the farmers of the
northwest in his various schemes, VI
until tina date, the sum of $500, 900
He also testified hat he had, collected
100000 in the stores scheme alone
At that time there were in operation
in this state only'six or seven Of thes,
consumers stores, with an averag.
stock of not to exceed IS, 900, accord
lnSn TO information IurnlSAed by In
citizens of the communities wher,
these stores were in operation. Thes'
would make a total investment o
$4,000, with $3.50, 600 paid in, or
net profit Of s925,0 600, which is
reasonable profit for pure democrac,
and educational propaganda.
AT the same hearing Mr.. Townle,
was asked, have you any Libert,
bonds? To which he replied: I CUES
the boys in the Office bought me on
500 bond This is just another in
stance of the intense patriotism o
this leader Of democracy who ha,
t~hen-collected three and one-half mil
lion dollars from the farmers Of tn
northwest"
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