The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-11
Legion League Calls on Legis-
lature to Hear N. p. l.. Facts.
Both Sides in Townley War Ex-
pect Long Battle.
CARRY DRIVE TO GRASS ROOTS
Every Township in State To Be
Organized Now.
NOnpartisan Forces Also Seat
ter With Same Idea.

Salina, Kan. Jan. 11.-Nonpartisan
league opponents united under the
American Constitutional Defense
League of Kansas today began a
concerted campaign extending into ev-
cry township in the state to defeat
efforts of A. c. Townley and his works
ers to establish the League as a factor
in Kansas politics.
The five hundred former servjcs
men who came here yesterday to per.
rect organized resistance to- the Non.
partisan league invasion returned to
their homes today to meet the League
workers at the grass roots with an
orderly campaign of publicity and
counter propaganda"
Townley's Men Scatter.
Townley's forces, who gathered in
Saiina yesterday for the first public
meeting of the League in the state
since Townley came, scattered to the
rural communities to resume their
m membership solicitation.
NO nlg public meetings are planned
py the Nonpartisan league workers in
the near future and their principal
efforts will be directed to a farm TO
farm canvass for new members.
a. Z. Townley, the League head.
who brought his fight into the omen
dresses outlining the Leagues purpose
In Kansas. expected to leave here to-
today for North Dakota or Minnesota.
During his absence Capt. George n.
Mallon of Minneapolis, will direct
Townley's forces.
Will Be Long Battle.
The League war today. apparently
settled down to a long drawn out hat
Tie. Townley voiced his intention of
no
the farmers of the state want me
here.f
~The. and-1eague leaders. on the other
hand declared they would raise funds
and stay in the fighting until Town
leyism" was uprooted in the state.
Public subscriptions will be raised nv
the defense league and leaders plan
TO put anti-1eague speakers from North
Dakota and Minnesota into the field to
counteract Townley's campaign
In opening their fight, the anti
Townley organization decided today to
seek a joint session of the Kansas leg
islature at which it is planned to have
William LANCER. former attorney gen.
erai OF North Dakota, tell what the
Nonpartisan organization has accom-
plished in that state. LANCER formerly
was member of the league. A repre-
sentative was sent 10. Topeka today to
ask the legislature to hold joint
session.
Has No Legislative Program.
Townley at his meetings yesterday
made it plain to his farmer audiences
that he had no interest in pushing any
legislative program in the state. "I
am here simply as an organizer" he
said. land when the farmers of this
state are organized to protect their in-
terests, shall step out.
I'VE are here to organize the farm
30 I.tt r<4 ta<r e.
tell you what kind of legislation you
should enact after you are organized"
Townley declared. I'VE do not plan
to force on the farmers of Kansas the
program of North Dakota, much as we
believe and take pride in that pro-
gram"
.If the Nonpartisan league becomes
effective in Kansas and secures its own
law making body, it will not be cur
concern to tell you to adopt any OF
the laws which have made North Da-
kota famous. You can make laws OF
your own., if you want to, aitho We
suggest that the laws of the northern
state be adopted since they have been
found to be good. And we plead with
you to stand up and assert your
American citizenship and resist en-
croachments on your rights
SAYS Farming Is Doomed.
I'VE DeDeve tudt IN VI oI6dAi1oS
farmers will secure their rignts anu
will be able to prevent themselves
from being robbed further by the an,
tocratic wealth of the country and Will
have their just representation IN the
.sThe farming industry of the coun-
try Is doomed unless the American
farmers do something for themselves,
Towniey declared. you VIII not get
what is your right until you go out ana
1t.rff Ia
"JJntil you do that Governor Allen. the
politicians. and the big interests VIII
play rings around you
Townley outlined the North Dakota
program of state owned minis ana erg-
yators. and state hail insurance he
Id they had saved the farmers OF
that state millions of dollars The
/ Nonpartisan league is doing very wen
in North Dakota" he said In answer
| to charges that the League has failed