The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-01-15

1870 ~ oe%A u Luz NOIIn OdhOLa "
be Controlled by ds'-Organ-
izers Jump the job Because They
Realize that the Townley League
IS Purely a Socialist Organization
Members Write Scathing Letter
to Townley.
No better evidence could be given
of the true meaning and intent of
= Townleyism than is given in the series
of afidavits and letters that are print
ed herewith from organizers and
members of the organization who
have found that Socialism and Red
Card control of the affairs of the
state are the principal objects sought
The first is joint affidavit by
Charles E. Gordon of Kenmare who
was for many months one of the most
trusted and capable organizers in
: North Dakota and who was given
virtual control of large section of
the state in his work and had under
his direction large number of men;
he is joined in this document by two
of his best workers, J. P. Lynch and
L. D. Lynch. The affidavit summar-
ICES more lengthy similar document
by these men and giving the informa-
ton here contained in much more de
tail. The affidavit follows:
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA,
County of Grand Forks, IS:
Being first duly sworn, Charles E.
Gordon, of Kenmare, N. D., and J.
P. Lynch and L. D. Lynch of Devils
Lake, N. D., upon oath do depose and
say that statements given in the fol-
lowing interview with J. D. Bacon of
Grand Forks, North Dakota, are the
truth and nothing but the truth.
Said statements to be made in the
presence of John ]. Harvey of Grand
Forks, North Dakota, and Jessie E.
Brooks of Grand Forks, North Da-
kota.
We have all been employed by the
Non-partisan League, as organizers.
during the summer season of 1917
and up until nearly the first of Dec
ember, and Charles E. Gordon, hav-
ing been the District Manager of the
northwestern district of the State of
North Dakota since about November
1st, 1916.
John P. Lynch, having lived for ten
years prior to 1915, in the same farm
z ing community with F. B. Wood, and
j. N. Hagen, Commissioner of Agri-
Culture and Labor of the State of
North Dakota, and H. B. Wood, |
Speaker of the House of Represent
atives of the State of North Dakota.
Mr.. Howard L. Elliott is the State
Manager for the Nonpartisan League,
and the Consumers United Stores
Company. Charles H. Heck is the |
Assistant or Field Manager for both /
: Institutions, ]. W Brinton being the |
Oneral Manager of the Consumers |
United Stores Company.
When entering the service of the |
League, we were given to understand |
that it was absolutely Non-Partisan, |
and not Socialistic movement and |
purely for the benefit of the farming
community. AS time went on, every
thing seemed to point to the fact that
it was a Socialistic movement, and
that its principal officers and en-
ployees were disloyal, in harmony
with the Peoples Peace Council, and
Socialists of the Max Eastman type.
Mr.. Elliott, after showing creden-
tials signed by A. C.. Townley, to the
effect that he was the State Manager
and personal representative of Mr..
Towniey, that he said to each of US, |
that the Socialists were building the
League organization, and naturally
all remunerative positions would be
filled by Red Card men (meaning
Socialists having the Red Card). 1t
isn't a. matter of getting men into the
organization, but matter of getting
the right kind. What we need is
about fifteen more Art LeSeuer's."
We hold letter from a responsible
farmer who belongs to the League
and holding membership in the Con-
sumers United Stores Company.
claiming that all prominent Offices
are to be held by radical, ranting.
.Sfoaring Reds and that these are the
identical words of their own people.
A short time ago, ]. N. Hagen
stated in the presence of one of these
men, he did not know who was pull
ing the wires for the special session
of the Legislature, but if a special
session was called, they were going
Elliott said, ''You had better look out
for that Safety Commission for it
gives all the power in the world" Mr..
Hagen said he was invited to speak at
Lakota and thought he would give
them his Transcription of Wealth"
speech. And when statement that
about fifteen more Art LeSeuers
were needed to control the South
Dakota Legislature, another Lacquer
spoke up and said, eve need about
fifty LeSeuers right Now"