Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-14
No ReUiUal OF
Scandinavian
League Planned
r. o. Thorson and Z. j. .siljan Char
actcFise Story Published Here Yes
terday as "Pipe Dreams"

F. o. Thorson and L. j. Siljan to-
day issued statements in which they
denounced as a 'pipe dream q story
printed in last nights issue Of the
Grand Forks American, purporting t.
nave been telegraphed from Bis
marck, in an attempt to create the
impression that a Scandinavian-Ite-
publican league had been instigated at
the capital,
1t was charged in the dispatch"
that Mr.. Thorson had again been
trying to herd the Norwesians Of the
state" and that Mr.. Siljan. recently
arrived at Bismarck "for the express
purpose Of resurrecting the old strife
along racial lines" The article in
question also set forth that 4 meet
ing was held In Senator Levang's
room where he explained that they
had been called together for the pur-
Pose Of forming a society whose aim it
wegian representation in the house
and the senate" The story alleges
that the plan was to elect only men Of
Norwegian birth or descent from
every Norwegian" district in the
state.
In commenting upon the report. MI.
Thorson who is manager of the Nor
manden, said that it was a complete
surprise to him, and Mr.. Siljan. edi-
tor of the same newspaper, character
lied the story as a pipe dream" with
the added remark that even the data
line is a lie.'
Thorson Would Have Opposed.
Mr.. Thorson's statement issued this
afternoon, reads as follows:
L. The story carried in the American
last night about the resurrection of
the Scandinavian Republican league
was a complete surprise to me. l had
no knowledge that any meeting had
been held. nor that such a thing had
been proposed by anyone If such a
proposition had been brought to me
l would surely have opposed it in
spite OF h fact that when the Scan
dinavian Republican league did exist.
1t was a factor for good. it stood for
clean and progressive politics, and I
have no apologies to make for the ac-
~tivities of that league while, it was in
existence. The policy of the league
was tc advocate such legislation as it
believed would serve the best inter-
ests of all the people in the state. The
league did not promote the interests
OF any candidates before they were
regularly nominated.
S far as the American story goes
1t is an imagination pure and simple,
l have heard of it before read
ing it in the American.
(Signed) P. o. Thorson.
Asked for his version of the report
ed meeting this afternoon, MI. Siljan
said:
Subject Not Even Hinted AT.
TITS a pipe dream. that's all. Even
the date line is a lie. The story was
never sent from Bismarck but orig
mated in the Americans news room.
There was a meeting called in one of
the rooms in Mckenzie hotel, and
Very likely it was Senator Levang's
room, but this meeting was called by
Nonpartisan league members and /
was asked to be present some time
after the meeting had been decided
upon.
II don't think that any one of those
present had a definite idea as to the
purpose of the meeting: if such vas
the case it was not brought out in the
discussion. Short addresses were
given by Rev. John Flint. Of Bis
marck; Insurance Commissioner S. A.
Olsness and A.. J. Hammer, bill clerk
In the house, who also acted as chair
man. l was asked to speak but limit
ed my remarks to a general endorse
ment of what had already been said
by the previous speakers.
MY personal status at the meeting,
as I understand it, was that Of an in
vited guest SO it is not for me to give
out a detailed report of what took
place. but 1 do not think that I COM
nit a breach of confidence when I
venture the opinion that il the meet
ing had been held earlier in the ses-
sion it would have resulted in the
formation of some kind of a social
club. n~on-political in nature and abb
solutely void of conspiratory intents
and purposes, either against the state
government or against the league.
Reported Language Improbable.
If the gentlemen present had hap
pened to think Of the Scandinavian
Republican league they would hardly
have referred to it in the language Of
h American reporter, as some of
them were active members and prac-
tically all Of them still maintain a
feeling of respect for the work done
by this league.
when / say that I do not think
that I ought to give out detailed in
formation as to what. took place at
the meeting, I do not mean by that,
that there vas anything to hide from
the public, but I prefer that the story
come from one of those who arrang-
ed it. If there was any political sig
nifcance to the meeting / failed to
notice it, and I think my friends the
league members in the present legis-
lature will admit that I can "see
things Is quickly as anybody, especi-
a1lv in matters ne~rtajninp IN 1oo oi,a