The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-04-18
FRAZIER AND
MILITARY MAN
IN SQ!UABBLE
Governor Demands Apology for
Alleged Remarks of Col.
McVey at Surrey
INSTRUCTOR QUITS STAFF

Grand Forks. n D., April 1S.-Col.
Charles H. McVey former military
instructor at the University of North
Dakota, has made public letter writ
ten by Gov. Lynn J. Frazier to him
self, and one written by himself in
response thereto, that throw an in
teresting light on the North Dakota
administration views with respect
to the doctrine of Americanism that
stands opposed to 1.-THE propaganda
for the creation of class prejudice
Colonel McVey in his letter to the
governor, written Monday, resigns
from the executives staff, and makes
known his attitude with respect to
the Nonpartisan league propaganda
as carried on by the leaders thereof.
Made Demand on University.
An address delivered at Surrey, N.
D., on March 81, is responsible for
the clash between Colonel McVey
and the state administration, one
angle Of which was the demand made
upon the University Of North Da-
kota, in the name of the state board
of regents, that Colonel McVey be
not permitted to speak in this state
under the auspices of the university.
Totten Takes Hand.
This demand, it appears, grew out
of the activities of George Totten,
member of the board of regents, one
of the organizers of A. c. Townley's
chain of country newspapers, WHO
made a trip to Surrey and investi-
gated the address, some time after
Colonel McVeys appearance there.
Mr. Totten, accompanied by stenog-
rapher, interviewed several Surrey
people, and it was shortly after Tot
tens visit to Surrey that the demand
that Colonel> McVey be taken off the
speaking work was made.
The board of regents had held no
session at which action relative to
the McVey incident could have been
taken, and it is. generally understood
that the demand was made ON the
representations Of Mr.. Totten.
What Actually TRANSFERRED.
The position taken by Governor
Frazier in the matter, and Colonel Nc
Vey's statement of what actually
happened at Surrey, are best set forth
in letters made public here by Colonel
IMcVey yesterday. Colonel McVey
came to the university last fall as
military instructor, resigning recent
~ to 60 to France with the 7. NJ. G..
A. >.-.
The letters he has made public fol.
low: .,.,. <1..
LIKE. April 10, 1918.
Col. Charles H. McVey,
University, North Dakota.
Dear Sir: ..l ..
AZ am in receipt of a communica-
ton in regard to an address that you
are supposed to have given at Surrey,
this state, in which it is said that you
made a bitter attack upon the state
administra and referred to state
officials as "'seditionists, pro-German-
lists and disloyalists.'
/ cannot imagine what reasons
you could have had for making any
such statements, and if it is true that
you did make such statements 1t
seems to me that an apology is due
from you. 1t has been suggested that
take this matter up with the war
department but as l understand that
you have been called to the colors, l
do not intend to take any action that
will embarrass you in your work. If,
however, the statements that have
come to me are true, am very much
disappointed in you as man. Your
brother, DR.. McVey, requested that
you be named as a member Of my
personal staff and it was upon his
recommendation that I made the ap,
-pointment, and am very sorry to
learn that you have proven yourself
unworthy Of the confidence placed in
you. 3sS&s~.% ' '.'.'
1t seems very strange to me that il
you had any criticism to offer re
garding the state administration that
you wouldn't have taken it up direct
ly with me instead of giving vent to
this criticism from a public platform
Yours truly,
Lynn J. Frazier.
In reply Colonel McVey wrote as
follows:
April Is, 1918.
Hon. Lynn 7. Frazier
Office of the Governor,
Bismarck, N. D.