The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean., 1918-06-05
EXTENDING JURISDICTION OF
MILITARY TRIBUNALS.

Wednesday, May 1, 1918.
United States Senate,
Committee on Military Affairs,
Washington, D. G.
The committee met at 1890 o'clock
a. M, pursuant to the call Of the
chairman, in the committee room,
Capital, Senator Charles S. Thomas
presiding:
Present.: Senators Thomas (acting
chairman), Kirby, Reed, McKellar,
Weeks, Wadsworth, Sutherland, New
and Frelinghuysen.
The acting chairman:- Gentlemen,
the meeting Of the committee for this
morning was ordered by the chairman,
who is too i'll to be present.
A majority Of the members of the.
committee knew nothing about the
meeting at the time, and the most of
them were informed of it for the first
time yesterday or the day before yes
terday. In the absence Of the chair
man it has been necessary for us to
ascertain just what the purpose Of the
meeting is and why it was called by
the chairman.
1t seems that during the considera-
tion of bill referred to this commit
tee, which has since been abandoned,
a couple Of gentlemen came before the
committee and made some statements
regarding conditions in the North
west, and as a result of those state
.1nents certain other gentlemen in that
section have asked to be heard. The
two men to whom I refer are Mr..
Bloodgood and Mr.. McGee. - -.f
After comforting upon the situation,
it is the sense Of the committee that
the meeting having been called, and
those desiring to be heard having per-
mitted to make statements. But in
asmuch as but two men were heard
on the. other side We have determined
to the same number of witnesses, and
We will go on with the hearing until
IL o'clock, when a very important ses
sion Of the Senate will make it nee
essary to take recess. Who desires
to be heard?
Senator Weeks Should it not be
understood that the statements are
to be limited to those that were made
derogatory to this organization,
The acting chairman Entirely so.
The statements that are to be made
are to be limited to the actions which
had made this meeting desirable.
We will hear Mr.. Townley.
Mr.. Lawson:-Mr. Chairman,
have telegram here from Senator
Chamberlain.
The Acting Chairman:-The tele-
gram says, "Replying to your request,
will hear one of your representatives
next Wedneday." I think under those
circumstances we will limit the num-
Der to one.
Mr. Lawson:-That applies only to
the st. Paul request.
The Acting Chairman We will
hear one representative, or one speak
er. We will hear Mr.. Townley first,
and then see what else is to be said.
Statement of Mr.. Arthur Charles
Townley, President of the Far..::..e;s:,,;;'
National N0npartisan League.
The witness was duly sworn by the
Acting Chairman.)
MTs 1UW11Sy VI Vic
committee, the matter that want to
discuss
Senator Weeks:-May l suggest,
Mr.. Chairman, that MI. Townley give
his residence and his position or occu-
patton?
The Acting Chairman:-Will you
give your residence and occupation?
Mr.. Townley:-My residence is St.
Paul, MINI. I am the head of the
Farmers National Nonpartisan
League.
The matter that I want to discuss
before this committee is serious
matter wit hthe people Of the North
west, who, in this matter, I represent.
want to thank the committee for
this opportunity, and I want to refer
specifically to some statements made
before this committee which We en-
brace this opportunity to answer.
Judge McGee, when he was before
this committee, made statement
that want to answer. In the course
Of his discussion he said this: "The
Nonpartisan League man is a traitor"
In another part of the discussion l
read this: 'sThe other day We indict-
ed Townley, the head of reasonable
J. nonpartisan league"
Now, Mr.. Chairman
Senator Weeks: Are YOU under in
dictment now?
Mr.. Townley:-1 am.
Senator Weeks:-What is the
charge?