The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-10-14

ed the murderers of the ex-service
men, is the farmer-labor candidate
for prosecuting attorney of King
county, and that Vanderveer is
working for the success Of that party.
Thomas referred to Bridges as the
picture bride" farmer candidate who
is enjoying the unearned increment
from farm near Orilla, Wash, that
he leases to Japanese.
He pointed out that the farmer
labor party advocates the public own
ership and operation of every resource
essential to production, except farms
at present, but that it endorses the
soviet government and ideals of Rus
sia, and he declared that as soon as
the $1S graft from the farmers is ex-
hausted the Russian and MARKHAM idea
OF state ownership of farms will be ad-
vocated.
Stallard, in opening for the mega
tive, explained that he spoke as a
friend of the nonpartisan league and
not as its official representative. He
declared that the league has no pur-
pose to graft from the farmer but
that it tends to increase the owner
ship of lands for those who produce.
Stallard then launched into his
tory of Townley's operations in North
Dakota, telling of his visions Of be-
coming a farmer on magnificent
scale and his failure, due, as he said.
to an unexpected dry year. He de-
clared that after Townley had failed
because of the elements he became
convinced that the markets had been
manipulated against him and that
they are manipulated against all
farmers, and it was then that he con-
ceived the idea of organizing the
farmers to dominate the conditions
under which they operate their indus.
try. He admitted that Townley had
started as socialist but that as he
developed his scheme the socialists
abandoned him.
Stalard read copiously from non
partisan book detailing the early
struggles of the party in North Dako
ia and extolling the virtues and ideal.
of Townley. He quoted long extract:
from speeches by the league leader IL
an effort to show that Townley hat
no selfish motives in his work ant
that he received less pay from th'
league than many workers under him
his salary being but $500 month
according to evidence brought out il
court proceedings.
Taking up the disloyalty charge
Stallard read further extracts from
Townley's speeches to show that h
advocated the conscription of wealtl
and not the overthrow of the govern
ment during the war, and that he ha'
been exqnerated by federal judg
and by George Creel, the administra
ton director of publicity during tn
war. He declared that the nonparti
san league had finer record Of con
tributions to liberty loans and wa
! work than any other organization i
the country.
i The. charges against Robert Bride
es, he ignored, merely saying that h
would leave it to Bridges to make hi
own defense, las he is perfectly abl
to do."
!. He defended Townley against th
charge of autocratic methods declal
/ ing that the members of the nonpal
, tisan league had as much to say abor
, his being president of the league
the members of the republican part
, had in the selection of Will Hays IL
: national chairman.
; He pictured the farmers and a
/ producers as the victims of vast II
: terlocking system, international
4 scope, that is seeking to crush and re
e them of all their gains.
: In summing up his argumen
J, Thomas read letter addressed |
e William Yanger, attorney general
: North Dakota, to A. G. Townley ur'
S ing him to have his former associat
2 ]. w. Brinton, arrested for GRIMM
e libel because of signed statement
; Brinton declaring that Townley is di
e honest; that he approved Of misa
preparation and embezzlement OF mo
ey in the league and in the state bal
n of North Dakota, and that he us
e league funds to promote private e
r terprises. Thomas said that the le
: ter had been sent to Townley on Sc
: tember 9 of this year, but that
IS date the league leader had not repli
: thereto, and the Brinton charg
e, stand unchallenged.
l. Stallard followed with his summil
l. up and he met the LANCER letter WI