The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-01-10

nad vast sums sequestered, stole,
from the farmers. TownIey deter
mined to end the persecution of tn,
League and to demand showdow,
OF the loose stories of sequesteret
FUNDS and instituted bankruptcy pro
eeedings, filing complete schedule
Of his assets.
/ Francis Murphy of Minot, noted as
bitter League enemy, appeared II
the case as attorney for an oil corr
pany which presented a claim foi
$500. During the year of litigation
which followed thousands of dollars
We're spent~detectives were placed on
the trail of Townley and his wife and
complete investigation was made
OF the books and records of the
League, the Nonpartisan PUBLISHING
company and other subsidiary orga-
nlzations in an effort to find what
Judge Amidon terms this 'hidden
treasure"
In his decision Judge Amidon
stated:
The search has been pursued not
only with the zeal of creditors intent
on collecting their debts, but that OF
political adversaries seeking to dis
credit party believed to be danger
Gus. Detectives were hired to IN
gratiate themselves with the wife of
the bankrupt. AS the result
OF months of following up these clues
by the trustee, the creditors and Their
detectives, counsel for the trustee
stated frankly on the argument at
recent hearing that no secret deposit
or specific property held upon trust
had been found. The conclusion is
justified, and the court so finds the
fact to be, that the reason why this
hidden treasure has not been found
is that it does not exist"
Judge Amidon finds that the entire
property of the League and of the
Nonpartisan Publishing company be
long to the farmers who constitute
the League and this finding definitely
ends any attempt on the part of credi-
tors to obtain any such property.
Speaking of the investigation of the
books and records of the League the
decision says:
"The trustee has been permitted to
go through the record Of all these
concerns as with a lighted candle. He
has found no trace of any grant of
any of the funds or property of the
league or it's subordinate
agencies to Mr.. Townley, except
salary Of $500 per month. On me
contrary, the record shows clearly and
affirmatively that the Nonpartisan
eague and it's subordinate agencies
lave never granted to Mr.. TownIey
my part Of their funds or property rs
lis personal estate, that he has neve,,
made any claim to those funds or
as belonging to himself
personally and he has never used
hem for any purpose except that of a
'olitical leader, devoting them hon
silly to the achievements of the or-
ects Of his party.
"The record is full and has been
onestly kept and it shows an honest
urpose to give an account of an hon
st stewardship"
Judge Amidon, who rendered the
ecision, is presidential appointae +
no nevr heas had any connection
18th the Nonpartisan league, having Z
blamed life appointment to the dis
-ict bench before the League became s
power. B
The net result of the decision is q
lat Mr.. Townley is ordered to pay :
1889, the amount by which his own
,hedule Of assets exceeded the statu- -
Try exemption. The decision speci- 4
eally denies creditors any right to
ny funds or property of the Nom 8
artisan league or any subsidiary o. 8
q