The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1921-09-16
,"Why j used to live IN Bismarck
back in 1885,"
And in Paradise, perhaps, ST. Peter
may have to give the key
To some man who lived in Bismarck
back in 1883.

Advices from North Dakota in
dicate that Mr.. John SHELTON Will
liams, former Comptroller Of the
Currency, is the latest. importation
|of the League bosses In their pre-
sent effort to throw out smoke
screen of impr6vised side-issues to
cover the havoc wrought by their
administration OF state affairs.
The man is new one-in North
Dakota-but the reasoning behind
it is old, four years old. It was
conceived by, A. g. Townley when
he first caught the vision Of power.
It has served the cause well ia the
past. No doubt it is felt that it
will work as well in the present.
This time it is a disgruntled banker
politician. Previously we have had
q Socialist from New Zealand, q
worn-out Senator from South Caro-
lima, a sculptor from New York.
Oddities all. And all served to di-
aided in the confusion Of the pre-
sent.
| Let us look at the latest addition,
the banker with grievance.
Mr.. Williams was appointed
Comptroller of the Currency under
President Wilson. Then he was a
good Democrat. But the plums were
falling then. John Baer was De-
mocrat when he was made post
master at Beach. He was a Re-
publican when elected to Congress
from Fargo. Now he is a "friend
of Labor" on Labor's payroll in
Washington. Carl D. Thompson is
another chamelon with coat of
many and fast-changing colors. In
North Dakota last year he was
carl Thompson, Secretary of the
Public Ownership League, Chicago" !"
VA few months later, in Kansas, Ne
braska and Minnesota, he. was a re-
preventative of the Bank of North
Dakota. During the War he was
recorded as the "go-between'' for
the National Socialist Party and the
notorious Peoples Council. Now all
Are emulating Moses-apostles of
i the New Day. All manifest concern
deep concern for the "dear peepul"
for consideration.
But back to the case of Williams,
the latest to be placed upon exhibit.
Mr.. Williams, banker, was appoin-
ted Comptroller of the Currency.
Some people wondered. There was
lots Of wondering about that time.
Then, as time went on, the wonder
passed and Williams, behaving
quietly, was forgotten. But Will
liams himself did not soon forget.
He saw himself upon the thres-
hold. He waited but for the knock
of Opportunity to take off his hat
and enter. 1t was no secret that
he aspired to the Secretaryship of
the Treasury. Perhaps, after that,
to the Presidency.
Then Secretary McAdoo resigned.
Williams prepared to assume the
portfolio but unfortunately other
people did not consider himself
quite so available. The job went to
Congressman Carter Glass.
Mr.. Williams, known as a man of
ordinary ability and boundless am
bition, is said to have manifested
keen disappointment. However he
continued in office.
Then Secretary Glass was sent to
tic Senate and another vacancy ex-
jsted in the Treasury office. Again
P, Williams raised his head and wait
ed expectantly. Woodrow Wilson
however passed him over again, if
indeed he was considered at all, and
the job went tn Mr.. Houston.
During Williams administration
the Office Of Comptroller was al
most legislated out of existence.
There is no such position now at
all. However the job was good for
a salary throughout the Wilson ad-
ministration and John Williams
held on. Then President Wilson
stepped down from his high office
and the paymaster promptly cut MIR.
j Williams from the rolls. It re-
mained for him to either go back
to work or do something that would
bring in the sheckles without work.
ling. Townley was again combing
the horizon for curiosities. His
eagle eye caught the highly avail
able Mr.. Williams. The "Big Boss"
called and the ex-banker promptly
responded.
The recall election is approaching
in North Dakota The administra-
ton Of Lynn J. Frazier is an issue.
Another spellbinder has been inn
ported to talk about something else.