The Raymer enterprise., 1919-01-30
T0WNLEY wins
BANKRUPTCY SUIT

given In recent number of the Nom
partisan Leader official organ OF the
party.
Farmers of the Nonpartisan
League have won again. After a
fight extending over more than a
year. during which enemies of The
organized farmers soight 70 sen,re
the funds and publications of The
Nonpartisan league. ard /, eiscredit
president A. c. Townlev through
bankruptcy proceedings. they have
lost at every point.
Federal Judge Charles F. Amidon OF
North Dakota. man who has no
connection with the Nonpartlsan
league. but is an appointment of the
president Of the United States, heard
the bankruptcy case. Judge Amidon
gave the creditors the right to ex-
anime all books and records of the
Nonpartisan league, even when Ii ap-
peared to the Judge that the inves-
ugation was made with political
motives. instead of being an honest
search for funds.
But the evidence that was disclos-
ed by this search has been unanswer-
able. In a decision just issued, set
Ting the case and dismissing A. C..
Townley and his brother c. s. Town
ley, from bankruptcy, Judge Amidon
makes these findings;
That ereitors Of the Townleys have
no right TO any of the funds OF the
Nonpartsan league or to any of its
publications.
That Mr.. Townley has never re-
eeived any money from the Nonpar-
tisan league except his monthly sala-
ry and that he now has no financial
interest in the Legue or any OF its
publications.
That Mr.. Townley has no large
sums OF money on deposit anywhere,
secured from League farmers or 9th
erwise, and that the only amount
which his creditors can claim is
s17S9,
That the books and records OF the
League are honestly kept and show
an honest purpose TO give an ac-
count OF an honest stewardship.
Judge Aniidon tells in detail of the
opportunities given the creditors to
examine all books and records OF the
League. in an effort to show some
hidden treasure" that Mr.. Townley
had stolen from the farmers.
Search Revealed Nothing
"The search" says the decision,
has been pursued not only with the
zeal OF creditors intent upon collect
ing their debts, but that of political
adversaries seeking to discredit
party believed to be dangerous. De
tectives were hired to ingratiate
themselves with the wife OF the
bankrupt AS the result of
months of following pthese clues
by the trustee. the creditors and the
detectives, ooupsel for the trustee
state frankly on the argument at
the recent hearing that no secret de-
posit or specific property held upon
trust had been found. The conclu-
sion Is justified. and the court so
finds the facts TO be, and the reason
why this hidden treasure has not
been found is that il does not exist.
Judge Amidon, at considerable
length, went into the plan by which
the publications of the Nonpartisan
league were handled He compares
the League plan with that adopted
by the Equity during the Lotus
fight and finds that the League farm
ers adopted that was legal avoided
the difficulties which the Equity met.
In concluding his decision Judge
Amion said, referring to the League
and League publications:
Records full and Honestly Kept
"The trustee has been permitted
to go through the record of all these
concerns rs with lighted candle.
He has found no trace OF any grant,
OF any of the funds or property OF
the Nonpartisan league or Its subor-
dinate agencies to Mr.. Townley ex-
cept a salary Of 5000 per month. He
has found no trace Of the use OF any
part OF the funds or properties by
Mr.. Townley for personal purposes
or for any purpose except the accom-
plishment of the objects OF the polit-
zeal party of which he has been lead
er.
'On the contrary. the record shows
clearly and affirmatively that the
Nonpartisan league and its subordi-
nate agencies have never granted to
Mr.. Townley any part OF their funds
or property as his personal estate,
that he has never made any claim
to those funds or properties as be-
longing to himself personally. and
he has never used them for any pnr-