Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-02-11
C0URlER-NEWS
REPORTER MUST
FACE PROBERS
House Investigators seel
Substantiation Of Bride
Story
(By stan Consequently

Bismarck. N. b.. Feb. lie. K.
Gummerson. Bismarck correspondent
OF the Fargo N~onpartisan league or
ganization was called before the bar
OF he North Dakota house Of repre-
sentattves yesterday afternoon to ex-
plain who he meant when on Febru-
erv 8: he published an article in the
Cour1er-News: in which he changed
that "emmissaries Of the big bankers
inside and outside the state failed
wednesday, in their attempt to buy off
farmer legislators and state oficials
from continuing the industrial pro-
gram" -,
He has until 3 o'clock this after
noon to decide whether or not he will
answer the questions to be put to him
In which he will be requested to saw
just who made the attempt to buy of
the legislators, what legislators the
and where the attempt at purchase
took place.
Leaguers Opposed Summons
A resolution summoning GUNNER
son before the bar of the house to
answer these questions was passed
yesterday afternoon by the lower
house. over the opposition Of the Nom
partisan league members and Cum
merson was brought before the bar
OF the house by the sergeant at arms.
ne admitted having written the ar
ticle in question.
When asked as to who was referred
to therein. however, he demanded
time to consult an attorney, which was
granted, but later returned and stated
that he had not yet been able to con-
suit counsel. After a warm debate
he was released on his own recogniz-
ance until 3 O'Clock this afternoon,
when he must appear and either an
swer the questions or face a charge
Of contempt Of the house.
Name All OF Persons
The resolution requires the corre-
%spondent to name each and all of the
persons from without the state" de-
scribed as emmissaries Of big bank
ers; to name persons within the state:
to name legislators whom these en-
missaries attempted to buy; to name
state officials whom it was attempted
to bride; to state the consideration,
the place in which bribery was at
tempted. where he got the informa-
ton, if he was not present at the time
of the transaction and to name specf-
ically what big bankers were rem
resented by emmissaries."
Believed Townley Is Meant
AS a matter Of fact the belief has
been more or less general here thai the
article in the Courier-News referred
to the compromise which A. c.. Town
ley is said to have suggested at the,
leaguers' sessions held Saturday and
Sunday.
Reports have been current here
that Townley suggested a compromise
on the basis OF the suggestions made
by the bankers of the state a few
weeks ago. Absolute refusal of these
proposals by the Lemke faction now
in co.rtroI' Of the league affairs is said
TO nave led to q final Inc open break
between Townley and his opponents.
Unoer these circumstances it has
been believed by many that the
Courier-News article was aimed at
ToWnley and was more in Bill Lemke's
campaign against the former car Of
the leaguers.
Both Governor Frazier and Attor-
ney General Lemke issued statements
Wednesday night in which they de-
MED that h proposal for the liquida-
ton of the Bank Of North Dakota had
come from Townley although admit
ting h a such a possibility had been
talked over.
Much Curiosity Over Stand
Under all the circumstances there
is considerable curiosity as to what
Gummerson will do. and say when he
comes before the house today.
the league jamboree. Mr.. Townley
himself arrived in the city again at
noon yesterday.
Phe reason for his coming has not
as yet manifested itself but promin-
ent leaguers declare that if he comes
to further urge compromise, it is a
waste of time on his part, as they in
tend to go through with their program
to the end.
In some quarters, however, it has
been suggested that the desperate ma
ture of the situation both financial and
political has caused another appeal
to be sent to the big chief by some Of
his friends to come to Bismarck, and
make a final effort to find some way