The Ordway new era., 1920-10-08

When Townley, the boss politician, /,
realized that he must have \ news
paper organization to support him
and repel his political opponents, he
was forced to follow q program of
deception. For Townley did not pro-
pose to have the members of the
League own the Official" paper of
the organization. He had perfected
the organization. Hc had made him
self president and his salaricd at
torney, William Lemke, vico pres
ident, on the executive committee of
three. 1t was his organization and
he was to be its perpetual "presi-
dent" He never intended that the
Official" paper of the organization
should get into tho hands of the
League members SO that they could
criticize his acts as president" That
might endnnger his power. Ho must
have control of the organization s
paper SO that criticism of Boss Town
ley and his attorney could be abolish
edZand only praise Of the "presi-
dent" and Lemke printed. He did
not build the organization for others.
He built 1t for A. C. Townley-and
for A. C. Townley'5 benefit. He had
become a real boss politician, and he
now moved with the instinct and
cunning of New York Tammany
leader.
Ownership Deception
So when Townley, the boss politi-
clan, established the "Nonpnrt tisan
Leader" at Fargo, North Dakota. in
September, 1915, he formed an indie
pendent company or co-partnership
with Edward Wood, of Deering
North Dakota, and Albert Fox, of
Minneapolis, two Townley employees.
These men acted as trustees for
Townley This was necessary. Town
ley had failed at Beach, North Da-
kota. He had several hundred thou
sand dollars of debt recorded against
him in that county. He could not
establish paper in his own name.
His creditors would seize IL. So Pro-
moter Townley BECAME the employee
of Boss Townley's employees. Clown
ley swore in his bankruptcy proceed
ings that Wood and Fox owned the
Norpartisan Publishing company and
that he was employed by them to
manage IL. Fox and Wood swore they
didn't know anything about tho pub
fishing business and were hired by
Townley as organizers for the League.
In fact. TownIcy owned'it.) He now
tAha thC paptA VI tho VI
ization. He controlled II. He could
now praise himself at will, denounce
his enemies or read out of the organ
ization anyone II he so desired. As
boss politician he had proved his
ability and cunning 10 keep control of
his organization.
Controls Funds
But Townley, the promoter. as We
related in the preceding article, had
other dreams aside from political.
He wanted control of the funds to use
for any purpose he might wish. By
personally owning the Official"
paper of his organization he not only
controlled its policy, but through its
ownership, could levy an assessment
on every member crrolled as sub
scription" to the paper. And con-
trolling the organization he could set
tho price of not only the paper but
the membership dues rs well. and see
that the "subscription" was paid out
of the first money received by the
League. Thus, as we already stated,
the Subscription" Or assessment was
compulsory and the publishing com
pany's income automatic.
Boss Townley's position was now
secure. 1t was his organization. 1t
was his paper. He r:.ised the League
dues and the subscr:pt on price CT the
paper arbitrarily and repeatedly. He
was secure from criticism from his
m embers. No matter how large the
grew no was secure In
his presidency No League mem
ber could talk to another through the
official" paper unless he praised the
political boss and paid tribute to him.
II criticism was directed at him by
members it must come through out
side publications, and. in that event.
the member who showed such dis
respect OF the president" was
promptly branded ; traitor" and
read out Of the organization by the
"official publications" OF the League.
his publishing company having es-
Official" papers in each