The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-05-30
settled il all parties to the war had
gotten together and agreed to settle

Senator Reed:--Of course. II all
the parties to any controversy wanted
to settle it, they could settle anything.
The trouble is there are some stub
born gentlemen over there trying to
settle it with cannon. ,u
Mr.. Townley:-Yes, sir; exactly.
Senator Reed:-I will read another
sentence to see if you agree with
that:
Wealth saw to it that the conditions
practically impossible for US to keep out
Of the war.
Mr.. Townley:-I do not know any
thing about that.
Senator Reed:-I will read another
one:
Wealth was so greedy that 1t had to
build the greater fortunes, even II 1t took
the sacrifice Of millions of lives and en-
tailed suffering Of more than nine-tenths
of the worlds population.
Do you agree to that
Mr.. Townley:-Where is the
wealth? What do you apply?
Senator Reed:-I will read on that
is specific:
1t was the demand Of wealth that we
should prepare a great Navy and great
and economic system not only upon our
selves, but upon all the world, present
and future. 1t requires that we should
impress into the service of war every
available man and woman at nominal
pay for their time.
Do you agree to that?
Mr.. Townley:-I would have to
make study of that?
Senator Reed:-You would have to
make study Of that before you would
be willing to repudiate it?
Mr.. Townley:-Or agree to it.
Senator Reed:-Yes. 1t does not
strike you at once that that state
ment, made under present conditions
in this country, is calculated to give
aid and comfort to the enemy and
weaken us in a time of war? That
does not strike you?
Mr.. Townley:-1t may be now, but
this statement or these statements
were not made at this time.
Senator Reed:-They were made
after the war was begun.
Mr.. Townley:-After we entered
the war?
Senator Reed:-Certainly. They
must have been made after that. It
says:
1t was the demand Of wealth that we
should prepare a great Navy and a great
Army to enforce the existing political
and economic system not only upon our
selves, but upon all the world. present
and future. 1t required that we should
impress into the service Of war every
available man and woman at nominal
pay for their time
Mr.. Townley:-1 do not gather any
thing from that that would indicate at
what time that was written.
Senator Reed:-I will read another
sentence that may help you:
No one can reasonably Justify our en-
try into the war solely because some Of
our citizens were unlawfully murdered.
That would seem to indicate, even
to farmer, that we were in the war
at the time that was written. Do you
agree to that statement?
Mr. Townley:-No, sir.
Senator Weeks:-1 want to ask you
something about consumption. This
is COPY of what is in that book:
It has indeed been humiliating to the
American people to see how the wealth
grabbers. owners of the big press, &C
tually attempt by scurrilous editorials
and specially prepared articles to drive
the people as if they were a lot of cat
tie to buy bonds, subscribe to the Red
Cross, to register for cOnscription and
all the other things.
Do you think that would tend to
prevent the prosecution of this war
effectively?
Mr.. Townley:-I think it is very
foolish and unjustifiable statement to
be made at the present time.
Senator Weeks:-But you support
that man for governor of your State ?
Mr.. Townley:--You are reading
things that l have not read before.
Senator Weeks:--I am assuming
that they are true and were uttered
since the beginning of the war. What
| am trying to do it get at the lead
ers. You have purged everyone else
of any connection with the charge
made by Judge MCGEE. Now, here is
political leader who is saying those
things, and you are the leader of the
organization. Do you approve OF
that?
Mr.. Townley:-I would have to
make study of that. l would have
to understand it.
Senator Weeks:-But you won't say
that you do not approve of that?
Mr.. Townley:-I don't approve OF
the Interpretation that l get from
your reading it It he meaning yor
place upon it.
Senator Weeks:--I do not mean the
interpretation. l mean the words
Wouldn't you agree that this is det
rimental to the activities of the Gov
eminent in prosecuting the war?
Mr.. Townley:-I should say it would
be. ~
The Acting Chairman:-On June II
you are quoted as saying:
Why should we buy liberty bonds
when the Government makes US pay
enormous prices for equipment to rur
our farms? Take the profits Of big
business to pay for the war. Wei
never get anything from the Govern
ment for anything we do in this strug.
gle. Why should we help the Govern.
ment II they won't help us?
Mr.. Townley:-It is absolutely 8
misquotation and misrepresentation
The Acting Chairman:-Did you
have your stenographer with you or
the 18th of June?
Mr.. Townley:I do not know.
,yor,1d hovo n 1ook at tho rOltinp