The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-14
ANSWER TO COLONEL HARVEY
Thomas A. Lee and Geo. T. McDer-
mott Point Out n. p. League Acts.


Editor State Journal
Col. A. NJ. Harvey in his letter of
even date in a Topeka paper seems to
rely considerably upon the fact that
the United States supreme court held
the Nonpartisan league laws of North
Dakota to be constitutional. venture
to suggest that this fact has no bear
ing whatsoever upon the merits of the
economic issues involved. One might
as well argue that foolish contract
executed by a spendthrift son selling
his patrimony for a small amount of
ready cash. is a wise contract because
the courts would enforce it. The fact
that the United States supreme court
has held those laws constitutional is
no reply to the arguments that as
practical proposition those laws don't
work, or that the State Bank of North
Dakota held constitutional by that de-
ciSion is in financial difficulties with
numerous other North Dakota banks,
or that taxes on farm lands in North
Dakota have in the last few years in
creased on the average of 500 per cent.
according to the chief justice of that
state.
Since it seems to be in order to
quote decisions of the United States
supreme court, 1 remind the reader
that the same United States supreme
court which held the Nonpartisan
league laws constitutional, also af-
Gilbert. manager of the organization
department of the Nonpartisan league,
who, along with Town1ey, was con-
victed of violation of Minnesota stat
ute making it unlawful to interfere
with or discourage the enlistment Of
men in the United States military or
naval service, and that Gilbert is now
serving his sentence in Jail where one
imagines that Townley will follow him
when his appeal is passed upon in due
course of time.
L don't care to take the time of the
reader with discussion of the grossly
un-American form of government of
the Nonpartisan league, or the fact
that its affairs are administered by an
executive commission of three, which
chooses its successors when the terms
of office of it's members expire, or the
fact that all the money contributed by
the members to form cooperate
stores in each community over $4,000
goes to the same exective commission,
or the fact that the Nonpartisan league
newspapers have openly stated that
the way to replenish the Golfers of
the State Bank of North Dokota (held
constitutionaD was thru the money
raised in Kansas by the Townley fol-
lowers. or finally the fact that during
the world war no Nonpartisan league
organizer in the state raised his voice
for the support of the soldiers in the
eminent in its war measures.
Colonel Harvey asserts that the
legion has allowed itself to be worked
in the fight common among most serv-
ice men and good citizens against
Townley and his followers under the
name of the American Defense League,
but after careful reading of his letter
fail to find any statement of the fact
that thousands of patriotic and loyal
Kansas farmers, distressed by the eco
nomic conditions of today, have been
worked by the wolves who have in
vaded this state from the north and
whose leader have been, if they are
not now, closely associated with the
L. w. w, the Bo1sheviks of America,
who plan to overthrow our govern
ment by dynamite.
ATownleysim is not even honest So
cialisn-it is socialism plus graft.
Two questions must be answered be-
fore you advocate or apologize for the
Nonpartisan league. They are:
/. % Do you believe your thrift
less neighbor should be allowed by law
to take your savings and invest them
in a business you do not want to go in?
CD If so, do you want part of
your savings to be stolen by faker?
If so, join the league or apologize
for it.
THOMAS A. LEE,
GEO McDEP MOTIF