Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-21
YOUMANS AND
LEAGUE BOSS
Do not AGREE
Townley: Reputed to Have
Called on Yournans for
$4,000 to Influence Deci-
: sion by Supreme Court in
Which Younans Was In
terested; League Boss De-
clares He Never Made
Such an Offer.

A break that may have far
reaching effect upon A. G. Town.
ley's political aspirations In
North Dakota has come between
the league president and Grant
s. Younans, well known MinOt
banker. The break became
known today when Townley,
through the columns of his "kept
prees' in Fargo, made public
letter addressed to him by Mr..
YOumans. in which YOumans
told Townlcy that he probably
would nl0kc public . certain
transaction in which Townley is
reputed to have called on You
decision by the North Dakota su.
Nfoumans Wns interested.
y, TOwnley says. in the Fargo
Cpurier-News that he never at
any time made any proposition
to- Youmans, nor was there ever
sny conversation or discussion of
my such proposed offer by You
mans or demand by himself ON
Youmans.
For several years Youmans has
been closely identified with the
Nonpartisan league. He has
been one. of Townley's staunchest
Importers. In MinOt,, he Is head
of bank. that 3shAs about $500
farmer stoclkholders. Associated
with him Il, A6tlAouy Walton,
prominent leAEuer and former
member of the house of repre-
sentatives. Mr. Walton. was elect
ed two years ago on. the eakaguo
ticket and was chairman OF tina;
q! ! coptnittee Sn appEopF1a.
StonS. IAstsfali. he was deleax-
ing the seesion.of the legislature.
ysHe handled practically all Of the
appropriation measures for the
league. Leon Duf0cher. formerly
Of Grand Forks. and another
prominent leakuer. also is con-
i1ected with Mr.. YoumAns bank.
Durocher for q time did organ
tzati0n work and lecturing for the
; Foilwtng is Townley's article
In the Courier.News:
A. c.. Townley. president Of til
league, TODAY made pull
ic threatening letters, written to hil
ind to other leaguers by Grant
Huumans Of Minot. notorious for val
ous bank deals and promotions. 3
in letters to Mr.. Towr
ey, ]. r. Waters, p. NJ. Casey, Jane
and William Lemke, tn
after two attorneys for the leagu
Foumans indicates that unless leagu
will publish q story to the effect tn:
rownley, offered over two years az
10 take $4,000 for securing decisio
rom the North Dakota supren
court.
1t seems that Youmans virtual
made this same threat to Mr.. Towl
ley In a. letter last December 4,
which the league president paid 7
attention at that time. On the col
trary, two weeks ago the North ID,
kota Leader, official league paper
this state, contained a cartoon an
article ridiculing Youmans' for a
to support the league trai
DIS at the state house. and for afte
wards jumping on the league BAN
wagon at q meeting Of farmers
Ainot.
Renews His Threats. 4
As result of the cartoon and art
Gle which put Youmans In q ridicl
lous light he renewed in letters r
ceived from him this week the veil.
threats to publish the stories Of 9
legged trading inStsupreme court d
cisions by the league president.
s''I not only never offered to get al
court decision for lYouma.
In consideration OF money or anythil
else" said Mr.. Townley in. makil
Youmans' letters public. THE Nor
supreme court Is incapable
bsing improperly influenced by q
or anyone else, Furthermore. I tWi
told Youmans togo to blazes VIII,
he himself brAzenly suggested to n
through other parties that ! he
him while his case Againtt form
Governor Hanna and others was b
fore the supreme court. have new
believed that Youmans was a since
man or safe banker. and have I
warned farmers and othe
concerning his banking operation
That Is the reason that he now tri
what amounts7to blackmatl upon n
No man can fight nae, By insinuatil
that he will make pubic Nbels up,
me, and ! am making public 70
mans correspondence to myself q,
other leAguers to show to what CO
t<mptble means men OF his charact
will resort. s%.i i!.its "A, /.
"Not only AS powsrIess- to d
Youmane in any, way while his @
was before the supreme court sal
not only did / tell him 10 IA stro
language. but at one time 4 told hi
that iE he attempted. TO 30 throul
with . certain banEinE Spr0motion I
Ras contemplating I would warm I
pubIic against him and his propp,
bon. which ! conhdered dangerol