The Montana nonpartisan., 1919-01-25

"Soon after the movement was
started those who were opposed to it
charged that all persons who Joined
it became jointly and severally liable
as general partners for all its debts
and liabilities. These charges were
supported by the opinions of eminent
lawyers. They caused serious alarm
among the responsible farmers who
had already Joined the League. and
threatened the life of the movement.
It is also true that the Nonpartisan
league was in large measure the out
growth Of an earlier movement known
as the Equity Society and Equity ex-
change, under the leadership of a
man by the name of LOTUS. These
organizations were Incorporated.
They were subjected to great
amount Of litigation which dissatis-
fled stockholders were seduced into
instituting by enemies of the move-
ment and paid for by such enemies.
ITO meet both Of these dam
gers the Nonpartisan league ad-
opted the device of placing its
publishing business in the name
of two trusted organizers by the
name Of Fox and Wood, acting
under the firm name of the Nom
partisan Publishing company.
The business of the
publishing company has not been
conducted for profit. The
business arrangement worked
we'll at the time it was instituted
to accomplish the immediate pur-
pose.
League Success.
"The Nonpartisan league was then
in its infancy and it was uncertain
whether it would succeed or fail. It
had small membership and it's only
assets consisted Of a basketful Of
post-dated checks as Mr.. Townley
testified. It has succeeded and the
arrangements originally adopted
have been continued.
''The question here is whether the
bankrupt, A. c. Townley, is the own
er of these properties, either directly
or indirectly. The evidence upon that
subject, it seems to me, is too plain
for controversy. He is not the own
er and has no interest, either direct
or indirect, in any Of the properties.
''With Lighted Candle'
There has never been any claim
on his part that he is the owner of
the properties. He has never used
them for any purpose except that of
political leader to accomplish the
purposes of his party.
"The trustee has been permitted to
go through the record of all these
concerns as with lighted candle. He
has found no trace of any grant of
any of the funds or property of the
Nonpartisan league or its subordi-
nate agencies to Mr.. Townley, except
a salary of $500 per month. He has
found no trace of any claim by Mr..
Townley Of any right to any part Of
such funds or properties except his
salary. He has found no trace of use
OF any part of the funds or proper
ties by Mr.. Townley for personal pur-
poses or for any purpose except the
accomplishment of the objects of the
political party of which he has been
leader.
Record Shows Honesty.
"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 belong
ing to himself personally and he has
never used them for any purpose ex-
cept that Of a political leader, devot-
ing them honestly to the achieve
ments Of the objects Of his party.
"The record is full, and has been
honestly kept and it shows an honest
purpose to give an account of an
honest stewardship. The conclusion
IS inevitable that the trustee in bank
ruptcy has no right to the funds or
the property of the Nonpartisan lea
que, the Nonpartisan Publishing
company, the Courier-News or any of
the other agencies created for the
purpose of carrying on the political
work of the League.
ut is therefore ordered that the
objections to the petitions Of the
bankrupts their discharge in accord
ance with the practice of the court
and their petitions heretofore filed,
dated December 80, 1918.
"CHARLES F. AMIDON,
Judge"