Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-06-14

st. Paul, Minn., June 14.-F. A.
Teigen Of .Montevideo, Mimi, former
organizer for the Nonpartisan league
and A..C. Townley's confidential agent
before becoming an organizer. testi-
fed Tuesday in the Townley. bank
Ives, referee in bankruptcy, that
Townley told him he owned the Nom
partisan league and was under obliga-
lions to no me-.
Teigen. gave the entire history of
his connection with the league and
Mr.. Townley. dating from October,
1916, to September 20, 1917.
Assets Near $4,000, 600.
He told Of Townley's holdings and
estimated the assets Of these enter
prises will total approximately $2.-
900, 900. He testified that Townley
has collected approximately $4,000
900 from the league and its subsidiary
organizations.
That the league is not operated on
a democratic basis was brought out In
the hearing when Mr.. Teigen testified
that 1.-The Nonpartisan league was con-
ceived, planned and organized as an
absolute autocracy, the power of con-
troll resting with A. G. Townley.
Autocracy Throughout.
All other organizations, whether it
be corporation or voluntary associa-
tons, that have been organized with
the consent and direction Of Mr..
Townley, including the United Con
sumers' Stores company and the diff
.ferent newspaper enterprises in Far
go, Grand Forks and. Minot. and the
cratically dominated through dunn
mics by A. c.. Townley, including the
Western Service bureau, of which
Mr.. Toughton Of North Dakota at one
time was president and general man
ager.
Information From Townley.
Mr.. Teigen testified he procured
this information from association
with Townley, Arthur lie Sueur and
Joseph Gilbert, who are the con-
trolling officers of the N~onpartisan
league; ]. w. Brinton, who is man
ager of the Consumers Stores COM
pany; Mr.. Richau, manager OF the
Western Newspaper bureau; Jack
Hastings, manager Of the financial de-
partment, of the league. and from cor
respondence with the various officials.
Said He owned League.
Francis Murphy, Minot, N. D.. at
torney for the creditors, brought out
plainly that Mr.. Townley had said he
owned the league. After Mr.. Teigen
testified that Townley, told him he
controlled the Nonpartisan Publishing
Murphy dealt with the ownership Of
the league.
"He even asserted he owned the
Nonpartisan league 2" Murphy asked,
Eyes, sir. He said he had organ
lied it and built it himself and that
he was under obligation to nobody"
THAT is what he said p,
''Those are his words. He said, ]
organized it and built it myself and
am under obligations to nobody"
Financially Fixed.
Townley is not dependent on the
Nonpartisan league or its auxiliary
organizations for a livelihood, accord.
ing to Teigen's testimony. b
Ibid Mr.. .Townley ever make any
statement to you in substance like
this: Whether the league stands OF
falls, it makes no difference, for I an
financially fixed?" sat.s.
II believe he has made such a state.
ment to me, but right at this moment
I can't recall the time or place. HI
made such a statement hat as far al
finances are concerned it made nc
difference whether the league were 8
success or failure. He stated that, tt
show he wasn't interested in the fur
ther financial success Of the league
but only in a political success"
1.-The question is: Whether he ever
made a statement to you in substance
whether the league stands or falls, II
makes no difference, for am f1nan.
cially fixed?'"
No Need To Worry.
"He has made the statement In sub.
stance that whether the league was a
failure or success he needn't worry
about his livelihood in'the future"
HE made that statement. did he 2
Eyes, SIR"
From October, 1916, to May IA,
1917, Mr.. Teigen testified, he was en-