New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-01-10
Nebraska Gives
Nonpartisans
Cold Shoulder
Townley's Automobile Evan
gelists Abandon Prose
lyting Program and Go
On Through to Kansas
Farmers Not Responsive
Legion Endorses Action Of
Salina Post in Warning
Leaguers to Quit the State
specio, Dispatch to The Tribune


OMAHA. Jan. 9.--The Nonpartisan
League has deserted Nebraska and is
moving on Kansas. The flying squad
ron of eighty Nonpartisan organizers
who came from North Dakota to Ne
braska in their automobiles, each bring
ing many assistants. have passed on
through the state. To-day not single
Nonpartisan organizer is to be found in
Nebraska.
The league opened its drive in Ne
braska with 1000 organizers, 100 of
whom were professionals from the
league school. The entire second floor
Of a hotel in Grand Island, the state
headquarters of the league. was en-
gagged for Offices. The largest garage
in the town was rented outright to take
care of the automobile
But the hotel Offices have been re-
leased and the garage has been re-
rented. The league has virtually aban-
dond Nebraska, and all the organizers.
including President A. c. Townley him
self have gone to Kansas.
The leaguers gave no reasons for
abandoning this state, where they claim
a membership of about $4,000.
Leaguers Snnbbed by Farmers
Little is now heard o. the league in
Nebraska. At the annual meetings of
five statewide organizations of farm
ers held last week it was not men,
toned. Several members of the league
attended the meetings, but none of the
policies promulgated by the Nom
partisans were urged.
The success of q new farmers or
ganization. the Nebraska Farm Bureau
Federation, is given as one reason for
the 'desertion of Nebraska by the Nom
partisans. The federation is opposed
TO its members. as a body, mixing in
politics. The bureau and the league
were both organizing in Hall County
at the same time. The bureau re-
corded 900 members in three days. The
number Joining the league is not
known, but was small. Bureau organ
izers say the league organizers were
afraid to meet them and that they
have deserted Nebraska for the time
of the bureaus campaign for member
ship.
Nonpartisan state leaders say the
evacuation of Nebraska is only tenn
porary. They assert conditions in
Kansas are such that the league can
secure members much easier than it
can In Nebraska, and that Tewnley is
devcting his entire strength to Kansas
UcCduse VI tlidt CCHOlClOE. Inc Kansas
situation is due to dissatisfaction with
the industrial court and with Cover
nor Allen, they say.
Farmers Seek Legislation
A mass meeting of farmers called for
January 20 by the league to demand
certain action by the state Legislature.
has not been cancelled, and arrange
nients are going forward.
NEWTON, Jan. 9.-The action Of
salina Post Of the American Legion in
actively opposing the spread Of the
Nonpartisan League movement in Kan
sss was upheld here to-day at a meet
ING Of the executive committee of the
American Legion, Department of Kan
cas-. Resolutions were adopted de-
nouncing A. c. Townley. head of the
league. who has been in Salina holding
meetings. The committee is composed
Of two members of the American
Legion from each Congressional dis
trict in the state.
The resolutions declared that Town
ley stands convicted in one of the
state courts Of Minnesota for acts of
olsioyalty during the war" that his ac
tivlty IN Salina "endangered the peace
OF the community and "therefore we
commend the officers and members of
sa!ina Post for the ORDERLY manner
IN which they are conducting the cam
palgn against Townley and other radi-
cal agitators."