The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-19
Townley Quoted as Saying
Nonpartisan League Has
No Interest in Stores
COOPERATION IS
HELD BEST WAY
North Dakota Farmers
Union Circularize Mem
bers on Store Plan


Dakota Of the Farmers Educational
& Cooperative Union Of America are
being circularized by the board of di-
rectors of the association, calling at
tention to the chain store plan organ
lied under the direction Of President
A. G. Townley, of the National Nom
partisan Political league, and which
the union directors hold is detri-
mental to the best interests of the
farmers of North Dakota,
Admitting that it is possible for
each holder Of a buying certificate to
save money for himself in patronizing
this chain Of stores, you are only
building up a business for the other
fellow" is the terse warning the
union board of directors sounds to its
own membership, advising that farm
ers, If they go into the merchandise
business, should go into it on the
truly cooperative plan, predicting
that such plan would save a great
deal more than the 10 per cent the
chain store plan inaugurated by Mr..
Townley, and without the tremen-
dous outlay.
Another striking declaration is con-
tanned in the union boards statement:
when it sets forth the position that
Mr.. Townley took in explaining to
the union board the Nonpartisan
leagues interest in the stores.
"a. c. Townley, Of the Nonpar-
tisan league, under whose en-
dorsement the stores are being
started, admits that the stores
are not owned by the NOnpar-
tisan league, and that the league
has no monetary interest in
them" says the union board,
basing that charge upon Mr..
Townley's own statement Of the
store plan in the now famous
all night session held in a Bis
marck hotel, when the union di-
rectors refused to be stampeded
by a show OF league strength,
Mr.s Townley bringing Governor
Frazier and others into the con-
ference to aid him in avoiding
adverse action by the directors.
1t was during the union board con-
ference that Mr.. Townley gave voice
to his famous declaration that the
disposition Of the excess or surplus
store funds was none OF your damn
ed business" as he put it to union
director.
The Boards Statement.
Following is the statement the
union directors have addressed to
their members in North Dakota:
Herewith we present to you the
official proceedings of a special
meeting of the state board of direc-
tors held at Bismarck, on January
1928, 1918. We also present for your
consideration the agreement which
the Consumers United Stores COM
pany is asking the farmers to sign.
Go over this contract thoroughly, and
see for yourselves the enormous
amount Of money each community Of
farmers is required to put up in or
der to start a store, over which they
have absolutely no control.
"A. G. Townley of the Nonpar-
tisan league, under whose en-
dorsement the stores are being
started, admits that the stores
are not owned by the NOnparti-
san league, and that the league
has no monetary interest in them.
In order to start a store at any
given point, not less than $4,000
must be subscribed, in notes or cash
given for the same. By Mr.. Town
ley's own admission, they are using
not to exceed $4,000 in the establish
ment and maintenance OF any one Of
these stores. The balance OF this
money, whatever 1t may be, may be
used in any manner the board Of
directors, which is composed Of three
men, sees fit.
admitting that it is possible
for each holder OF a buying
certificate to save money Tor
himself in patronizing this chain
of stores, you are only building
I'D q business for the other fell
low. Considering this matter
from every angle, and having
discussed it thoroughly, we en-
phatically maintain that by put
ting the same amount OF money
s.aA- Hyavv1 Wa hNVu
of your own, 1t will rapidly develop
into a dividend paying PROPOSE
tion, and save you a great deal
more than 10 per cent OF your
purchases.
I'm the end, every holder OF CO.
operative stock will be bS@@r off
financially than he would be If he
puts his money into a mere buying
certificate and we would therefore
advise all members of the Farmers
union to thoroughly consider the
matter before putting their money
into buying certificates in the Con-
aumers' United Stores company.
''Fraternally yours,
Frank Mehring.
"Wm. IL. Breen,
''W. J. Motley,
''W. j. Smith,
Directors.
Attest: ID. ID. Shipley,
Acting Secretary"
Proceedings Of the Board.
The official minutes OF the board
OF directors at the session are set
forth in the circular as follows:
1.-THE meeting was called to order
at Z p. m. by Pres. r. ]. J. Mont
gomery, with Vice President Geo. w.
Sorber, and Directors w. j. Mozley,
w. ]. Smith, w. Il. Breen and Frank
Mehring present. Director G. l..
Malone was unable to attend,
Moved by Mr.. Motley, seconded
by Mr.. Smith, that the board Of
directors advise "A. G.. Townley, of
the Nonpartisan league. TO appear
before the meeting on the evening of
Jan. Is, at $3.50 o'clock, and give the
board full details and working plan
OF the Consumers United Stores
company, and that we submit to him,
at the close Of the meeting, the stand
that this board takes In regard to
the matter. Motion carried.
"On motion, meeting adjourned to
reconVene at $3.50 p. M, Jan. rs.
Meeting reconVened at $3.50 y. m,
President Montgomery In the chair.
EAT the request of President Mont
pomery, State Organizer ID. IL. Ship
lev announced the purposes OF the
meeting, after which "A. g. ToWnley
was called upon, and explained the
Consumers United Stores proposition
from beginning to end.
After listening to Mr.. Towniey's
explanation, the board of directors
adopted the following resolution
1--WE, the board of directors Of
the North Dakota division of the
Farmers Educational a. Co
operative Union OF America, In
special meeting assembled, after
listening to a full and thorough
explanation Of the organization
and working plan Of the CONSUME