The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-01-02

dissatisfied stockholders were seduced
into instituting by enemies Of the
movement and paid for by them.
To meet both Of these dangers the
Nonpartisan league adopted 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 Nonpar-
tisan Publishing Co. Mr.. Wood con-
tributed nothing to the partnership,
and the evidence is open to doubt as
to whether Mr.. Fox contributed any,
thing. The testimony is plain that
by far the greater part Of the funds
used belonged to the Nonpartisan
league. Neither Fox nor Wood knew
anything about the publishing bust
ness, and they have really not exercis-
ed dominant control over the bust
ness which has been conducted in their
names. Mr.. Townley and the other
officers, sometimes as the result of
consultations with the members Of the
firm, and sometimes without such con-
sultation, have selected the editors
and managers who have carried on the
publishing business, and have die
tated the editorial and news policy of
the papers. The business of the pub
fishing company has not been con-
Quoted for profit, and has not resulted
in profit. Mr.. Wood testified on the
stand that if there were any profits he
consented that they be used to pro-.
mote the work of the league, and the,
evidence leaves no doubt that the pub
fishing enterprises carried On by
The Nonpartisan Publishing Co. and
the properties acquired in its name,
have all been merely agencies for pro-
noting the political moveuene Of the
league. The business arrangement
worked we'll at the time it was insti-
tuted to accomplish the immediate pur-
pose. The Nonparisan league was
then in its infancy. and it was uneer-
tain whether it would succeed or fail.
1t had small membership, and its
only assets consisted of basketf,,I
of post-dated Checks as Mr.. fownlcy
testified. 1t has succeeded, and the
arrangements originally adopted have
been continued. Messrs. Fox and
Wood, and most of the other persons
connected with the movement, are
without large experience in business
forms. They have been mainly con-
SSAASu Will -Iac POlIIAC0A program.
This is also true of the bankrupt, A.
c. Townley. With the question wheth-
er the organization has been wise
foolish in it's business forms or off
cial condolences this court Of bank
ruptcy has no concern. Both are sub
ject to change by the membership of
the league through it's conventions.
Responsibility in those matters runs
not to the creditors of Mr.. Townley
but to the membership Of tie League.
The publishing business carried on by
The Nonpartisan Publishing Co. and
The Courier-News Co. are each re-
sponsible, first, for the payment of
their expenses, and, second, for the
payment of any debts incurred in
their names. If the court had to de-
eide where the residuary estate. after
UGH payments, rests, as Between the
Nonpartisan Publishing c.. and the.
Nonpartisan league, it might require
more careful examination of the
evidence and investigation e tie law.
My impression is that the legal title
stands in the name Of The Nonparti-
san Publishing Co., simply IS q hold
ing company, but upon trust for the,
benefit of the league. That question,
however, is not before the court. The
question here is whether the bank
rupt, A. c.. Townley, is the owner of
these properties, either directly or in
The evidence upon slat sub
ject. it seems to me, is tee plain for
controversy. He is not the owner and
has no interest, either direct q lndi-
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