The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1920-08-27
THE BIG SPLIT
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

- A6s ~
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
The Burleigh County Farmers Press
is controlled by three directors-H.
P. Knappen, J. w. Brinton and G. M.
Brinton. Its editorial policy could
have been changed and could now be
changed at any time by the two last
named directors-if they so desired.
The charge made against me by A. c.
Townley and VIM. Lemke, that I am
traitor to the Nonpatisan League,
falls rather fiat in view Of the fact
that this paper, and the Wells County
Free Press at Fessenden, edited and
managed by c. M. Brinton, have con-
sistently supported the farmers organ
ization at all times and without reser-
vation-and during the time that the
undersigned was strenuously working
and fighting with the League bosses
to put a stop to graft and crookedness
within the League, as evidenced by
my letter to Governor Frazier last
May.
I have no desire to take advantage
of the hundreds Of League farmers In
Burleigh county who have subscribed
for stock in this paper by changing
it's policy or refusing to print anything
which Mr.. Lemke or Mr.. Townley may
have to say about me. In fact, I am
anxious to publish in this paper all and
everything that Townley and Lemke
may have to say. want the farmers
of Burleigh county and North Dakota
and the public to know that Lemke
and .Townley do charge me with being
a traitor, a criminal and man with
out moral character. want them to
tell the whole story-everything they
know bout J. W. 1rinton. Men who
stand for honesty and square dealing
must expect abuse. i have received
into court so that the public may know
the truth. -. .,.
I asio know that the truth will out.
l know that in a short time there will
be a rude awakening as to the true
conditions within the League; that my
charges that Townley and Lemke are
dishonest; that they approved ofimts-
and embezzlement OF
money in the League and In the State
Bank; that they, and not others used
[ League funds epromoteap apeisate, en- en-
that they have committed
forgery by signing other, mems names
to documents to cover up their own
autocratic and criminal actions; that
they charged other men with crime to
protect themselves, will be proven to
the satisfaction Of everyone. L
4 offer to prove the above in any
court Of law. This statement Is Grim
inal libel If not ture-snd | am sub
;ect to criminal arrest | invite Mr..
Towniey or Mr.. Lemke to arrest, 1t
the above statements are false' SO that
| may have an opportunity to demand
a public hearing in court Of law and
summon them and their records 80
that the public may know the truth.
Regardless of their actions, Will
prove my assertions to the League
members Of North Dakota. Then
Townley and Lemke will be ousted
from the affairs Of the Legaue and the
state government-and honest men
whom they have slandered and libeled
will be vindicated. Sts::. =
In the meantime, let Mr.. Lemke and
Mr. TownIey tell their story. Let US
hone they tell It all while they have
the opportunity and the League pub
lications and the League funds at
at their disposal.
Mr.. Knappen, president sof the Bur
leigh County Farmers Press, has In
and authority from the
other two directors Of this paper to
accept and publish everything that
Townley and Lemke may have to
say. (Signed) sa,S Z.
,...: Fl h. # ]. w. Brinton. /
Burleigh County Farmers Press.