The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-11-25

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ones who gave assistance to the
league. 1t had other friends: men
who didn't care to be identified with
the league directly because it would
damage them in their business
standing and business relations.
There were, in fact. quite a number
such friends of the league, and, nat
urally Mr.. Townley, and the league
kept their names secret so as not to
in any manner jeopardize them.
Getting to the $1,000 item, Mr..
Townley explained that it was such
transaction: a loan made by a friend
who didn't care to let 1t be known
that he was so much interested in
the organization. The friend deli
vered the money to, Mr.. Townley,
personally, and he, Mr.. Townley,
turned it over to the league. So as
to protect the friend, the loaner of
the money, the item was entered en-
the accounts as having been a trans
action with Mr.. Townley only. The
friend, the bankrupt testified, was
looking only to Mr.. Townley for re-
payment of the loan, and when the
league came into position to repay
the money, he, Mr.. Townley, re-
ceived the money from the league
and delivered it to the friend.
This $1,000 friend, said Mr.. Town
ley, had exacted from him a promise
that there would be no publicity in
connection with the affair, and he
didn't care to make the name public
because of that fact.
On Mr.. Townley's suggestion that
he be permitted to write the name
Of the friend on a piece of paper, and
pass it to the judge that none other
in the courtroom might learn the
name, Judge Anlidon adopted such
procedure. Sc
The courtroom, though only a few
were present, presented remark
ably tense situation. Absolute quiet
prevailed as the fateful slip of paper
was passed from witness to. Judge.
There passed a brief conference be-
tween the judge and the bankrupt,
following which the name was pass
ed, with all the secrecy that had
prevailed in the original presenta-
ton of the name to the judge, to
the counsel for the trustee, Francis
Murphy.
Mr.. Murphy Immediately made a
demand that the witness be compell-
ed to make reply to the question or
iginally asked, and Judge Amidon
ordered the witness to answer.
The name was
D. C. Coates.
Mr.. Coates, now president Of the
National party, at the time the loan
was made manager of all Nonpartl-
san league publications, and for
many months was actively identified
with the Nonpartisan league propa-
ganda..
What Books Indicate
The Nonpartisan league accounts,
examined by. accountants for three
days last week, indicate that Mr..
Townley has received direct al
lowance, of $500 a month from the
league for personal expenses, for
which he was required to make no
specific accounting; S25 expense
money from the Nonpartisan Pub
fishing company; 5000 "a month sala
ry from the league, and $100 month
salary from the publishing company,
making $500 in salary and $500 in
expense money, a total Of $1,000 a
year.
During the period from the spring
of 1915 to September. 1917, when he
filed his petition in bankruptcy, the
league records disclosed that all
told. Mr.. Townley received approx
imately $4,000 as revealed by his
personal account. This was set apart
airy.
Denies Having Deposit
Mr.. Townley, questioned by Judge
Amidon, denied having any bank de-
posts anywhere in his own name or
denied that he ever told Ferd Tiegan,
OF Mcleod county, Mimi. that he,
Townley, needn't worry. for what
ever happened to the league, he was
himself so fixed that he wouldn't
have to work any more. Mr.. Tiegan,
said the witness, was a former or
ganizer of the league, whom he says
he discharged when Tiegan was in
dicted for disloyalty. Afterwards,
said Townley. Tiegan was fused by
the opposition"
The Organization Plan
Just before Mr.. Townley was ex-
cused from the stand, Judge Anidon
asked him If the Equity society was
a part of the Nonpartisan league, or
it's membership made up a large part
or the league membership. In6 VIII
ness said about 90 per cent of the
Equity members were league mem
bers.
Judge Amidon asked further if
the Equity society wasn't organized
as a corporation, and that 1t was
several times attacked in lawsuits
that nearly destroyed 1t. to which
the witness responded that it was a
fact.
Judge Anidon also asked if 1t was
the experience OF the Equity that in
fuenced Mr. Townley and the league
members to organize their league as
they had to get away from the pos
sibility OF suits, etc. and Mr.. Town
ley again responded in the afirna-
tive, indicating that the point had
been frequently discussed during the
very early stages Of the league ca
reer.
No Connection With Hastings
Mr.. Townley was asked by Attor-
ney Murphy whether or not he had |
any connection or interest with any
Of the interests OF John ,. Hastings |
of Fargo. the bankrupt denying any
such interest.