Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1921-07-14
(Liederbach's Answer)

"There has been from first to last
in our discussions" said Chairman
Liederbach, mo difference of
opinion on the question of Totten's
wrong-doing. 1t has been unspar-
ingly condemned by every member
Of the committee. The committee
is united also in it's determination that
no wrong-doer shall be sheltered or
excused at any time, no matter who
he may be. To the best of our ability
we are attempting to safeguard the
funds sent in to us to be used to fight
the l. V. A. recall.
To Protect League
"On the other hand ! think I can
say there. is no disposition on the
part Of any member Of the committee
to exercise any personal vindictive-
ness against Totten. We have ac-
complished the big thing in exposing
his crime and recovering the money
he deposited without authority"
The l. V. A. has gleefully played
up the one discordant note. so far,
which came from the Farmer Labor
State Record at Bismarck. This is
the paper Gummerson formerly edit
ed, and he went from Fargo to Bis
marck the day of his arrest on a
criminal libel charge. The State
Record apparently accepted his state
ment that Totten's alleged embezzle-
ment and forgery were but peccadil-
los, and it supports the idea of state
convention to be held in Bismarck on
July 20.
The Associated Press correspondent
who has come to Fargo particularly
tc cover the case, said in a dispatch
sent out from Fargo last night:
"Walter Maddox, one Of the mi
nority members ard league director
of publications, who mas been in
charge. of the Courier-News, left this
afternoon with Senator W. H. Church
and former Senator D. H. Hamilton
for Valley City, where they will con-
fer with Attorney General William
Lemke tonight. r. H. Walker, the
other minority member Of the COM
mittee who hoped to accompany them,
remained in Fargo.
G. K. Gummerson has returned
from his visit to Bismarck, and the
Associated Press says: "Gummerson
claimed today that he had the support
of some League members in Bismarck.
and that they were starting a drive
at that place to raise fund of $1,000
for his land Totten's defense against
the libel charge. Some money had
already been contributed to the fund,
Gummerson said, but was unable to
give the amount"
"An examination of the accounts of
the state executive committee of the
Nonpartisan league of North Dakota
by number of prominent leaguers
has disclosed no evidence whatever of
mishandling of funds. Those who
helped go over the books of Treasurer
Ole Ka!dor, examining all checks and
stubs, were Howard Wood, lieutenant
governor, and r. T. Muir, of the
board of administration.
"The figures prepared by them
showed that there had been total cash
receipts since March l, when the pres
ent committee took Office, to July of
$45,031 "A, including the $2,172. Al
garnisheed in the Dakota Savings
bank. The statement of the Courier
News on July showed total receipts
Of $5o,093. .76, but this included post
dated checks for new memberships,
and these were not taken into account
by the volunteer auditors.
"Total disbursements were found
to be $36,415. .3e, leaving a cash bal
ance on hand of $s,616.Os. It had
been charged by George A. Totten,
Jr., and C. X. Gummerson, in their
attack on the committee, that all
funds had been disbursed.
Expenditures were divided as fol-,
lows:
Current salaries -. .$5,sss.ss
"Courier-News j. J. .14.413. 90
North Dakota Leader . 3,42a.0O
Expense, partly on old ac-
count ........ i. 5,151.41
"Old notes paid ............ 2,341.35
Natl Nonpartisan League 1870. .12
Salaries, due prior to March 4,374.5s
(From State Record)