Great Falls tribune., 1921-05-11
Charges N. P.L. Can0ufaqed
Socialism in Kansas Debate
Townley Replies League
Is Opposed by Grain
Gamblers, Bankers,
Insurance Companies.

Salina, Kans., May TO-
Charges that the leaders of the
National Nonpartisan league
were associated with the l. w
W. and the Socialist party and
counter charges that opposition
to the league is fostered by the
grain gamblers, the insur-
ance companies and other busi-
ness interests, were made in a
debate here Tuesday between
William LANCER, former at
torney general of North Da-
kota, league foe, and A. C..
Townley, leader of the LEAGUE.
The question was:
Resolved that the Non partisan
league program as managed by the
Nonpartlsan league has been detrimen-
tai to the people of North Dakota
approximately 1000 persons, large
part OF them farmers, attended the de-
pate, which was held in a pavilion in
local park. Rain began falling short
~ after LANCER opened his argument
ana made it difficult for the audience
TO near the speakers. An admission
Zee was charged, speakers explained.
to defsay expenses.
LANCER. the challenger, devoted
most OF his time to attacks on Town
icy, who. he declared was.'farming the
farmers He declared Townley had
roDoed the farmers Of North Dakota
tnrough the formation of the United
consumers Store company, a co-opera-,
I'VE agency, and that he had half
miiiion dollars in state funds deposit
ed IN the Scandinavian American bank
OF Fargo, which he knew was insolvent
Outlines Leagues Origin.
Iownley. in his reply, outlined the
origin of the league and gave practic-
ally all his time explaining the league |
program in North Dakota. He did not
answer charges that the league man
ayers IN every state are either I. W,
W., or Socialists and said, in future
debates he would reply to some of the
many charges made by his opponent.
In opening LANCER declared he pur-
sued Iownley for two years in an ef-
fort to get him on the same platform
He presented the league leader with
check for 500, which he had Of
.ered in his challenge. LANCER explain
ID it was post dated and could be
.ashed in two years, with the remark
hat that is the kind of checks the
Sonpartisan league put into the North
)akofa bank as security.
The Nonpartisan league leader has
'ome into your state" he told his audi
nee, ito take control of your state
Socialists Behind League.
Declaring that the league was cam
uflaged socialism" he said that
'harles Edward Russell. Eugene Y.
)ebs, Arthur LeSeur, Walter Thomas
ILLS, w. d. Haywood, and Joseph
hilbert. secretary Of the league, who
5 serving Jail sentence in Minnesota.
ad had hand in organizing the lea
ue. Haywood was the editor of the
irst Nonpartisau league paper, LANCER
aid.
A. e. Bowen, one of the original or
anizers of the league. was a Socialist
nd was "One of those who said We
ave to have a new name because So
ialism is not popular LANCER charg-
d. He produced a Photographic copy
registration statement bearing
'ownley's signature and showing thai
le league leader rain North Dakota
ounty on the Socialist ticket.
When Arthur LeSeur was secretary :,
, Townley he was attorney for the !,
w. W.. LANCER said. !
Percentage for Propaganda. |
Taking up the leagues economic pro.
ram in North Dakota. LANCER said
lat every progressive law sponsored
? the league had been voted by the
eople of North Dakota before the lea
le was organized. The proposition
I state owned elevators had been q
iopted before the league came into I
Iistence, he declared. q
LANCER, who had the backing of the L
bipartisan league when he was elect
attorney general. declared he broke il
way from it when he saw that Town y
y was using the league "to feather f
s nest" u
"In return for the 500 which Nort}, a
akota farmers placed in the United Ii
Stores company they were Il
ven the opportunity of buying at the Il
ores and paying cash." LANCER said. \
t required $4,000 to establish each a
,re and out of this amount Townley
,k $4,000 for educational and propa- +
nda purposes" b.
Controls State Press. . h'
with this money, Townley estab- .
he'd in every county in the state and e