The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-05-30

North Dakota are farmers, and 80 per
cent of the farmers belong to the
league. D.. tt.. l+N. 4
The Acting Chairman:-Then, it
would be safe to say that 80 per cent
of the subscribers were members of
your league.
Mr.. Townley:-I have no doubt
about it.
Senator Weeks:-Has the league
a fund of any kind?
Mr.. Townley:-Most assuredly.
Senator Weeks How much is it?
Mr.. Townley:-It ranges in cash
from $1,000 to $4,000, and sometimes
! $4,000. So
Senator Weeks:-Never more than
that?
Mr.. Townley:-Very seldom.
Senator Weeks:-What are the dues
of the members?
Mr.. Townley:-Eight dollars year.
Senator Weeks:-Is that the max
imum?
Mr.. Townley:-Yes.
Senator Weeks:-How many men,
bers are there in North Dakota?
Mr.. Townley:-About $4,000.
Senator Weeks:-How many in
\ Minnesota
Mr.. Townley:-About the same
| number
Senator Weeks:-That would be
| about 100000 year. Has the league.
! as an organization, subscribed to any
liberty bonds?
Mr.. Townley:-Yes, sir.
Senator Weews:-How many in the
first loan?
Mr.. Townley:-In the first loan,
none-the league.
Senator Weeks:-And the second
loan?
Mr.. Townley:-None.
| Senator Weeks None in the sec
ond loan?
Mr.. Townley No:
Senator Weeks:-How about the
third loan?
Mr.. Townley:-The organization it.
self subscribed for $4,000 in this last
\ liberty-loan drive. ..
Senator New:-Is there an initia-
ton fee
Mr.. Townley:-No, sir; there is a
membership fee.
Senator eed:-To get this question
down to the question Of specific
charges, who made those charges
here against you which you complain
of besides Judge MCGEE?
i Mr.. Townley:-I am complaining OF
no charges made here by anybody but
by Judge MCGEE.
Senator Reed:-You are entering
into a general defense of the organl'
cation and of it's members and the 10y
atty of it's members.
| Let me call the committees atten-
ton to the specific language of Judge
Niece: f8@ a.
Nonpartisan League leaders and or.
Perhaps the general membership OF the
organization, consisting of farmers ar
, misled, but they will see the ,dayligh,
soon. and when they DO they VIZ w., dsPE Se
general masses of the farming com
munity are loyal.
Then he comments upon the Rec
Socialists and upon the I. w. w., and
then he says, "The whole outfit, Rec
Socialists, |. w. WIS, and Nonpartisar
League leaders ought to be in intern
ment camps"
, do not see any charge here in the
statement against the league at all.
Mr.. Townley:-Then comes thu
question as to the loyalty or disloy
alty of the leaders Of the organiza-
ton, whom think the judge still say:
!. should be shot or informed some place
The Acting Chairman:-He did no
say anything about shooting.
Mr.. Notwithstanding then,
then.
/ want to discuss the activity of thi
: organization and these conventions.
+. want to show the direction in which
the minds of the membership wa:
pointed by the resolution, the fran
ing Of which was largely in the hands
of the men at the head OF the organ
ization.
The Acting Chairman:-Would i
not be better to state that resolution
and say that it was adopted by the
proper authorities?
Mr.. Townley:-1 will do that, then
The Acting Chairman:--1 think tina
will be sufficient.
Mr.. Townley:-I am going to reat
a paragraph or two from each resolu
ton, with the committees permits
sion., ,,
The Acting Chairman:-What i
the date of those?
Mr.. Townley: -September 49,. !:
and 20.
e Our war is to extend the political de
t mocracy which we. In the United STATES
enjoy in order that political democrat!
may be safe in our own land, and tina
it may be used to accomplish its HISTORY
+ Observation-Disclosures democracy.
You do not want me to read then
t all? :, :,
> Senator Reed:-You may file then
e all.
E Mr.. Townley:-Yes. Here is an
o other paragraph that ! will read:
Therefore realizing the faess
Y and that it is the duty of every citfzel
to the ad nr Of the = eyer fren
the enemy within and the enemy abroad
We and nd Sasa our in euppor
p to the Government in the solution Q
these problems and do sespsGtf,Tly SUP
the deliberations Of this convention, T.
t the end that our Nation may be enable.
8 and by so doing save millions of lives b!