Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-12
KEEP REGULAR
PARTIES SPLIT
TOWNLEY'SPLAN
New National Organization
May. Also Complicate.
State Situation IS, J

Indications are that material chang
es in campaign plans, as compared
with those Of former years. will be
placed before the E~onpartisan League
in North Dakota ard Minnesota when
A. c. Townley again tries t take con-
troll Of the two state organizations,
following his release from the county
jail at Jackson, MIN.
According t 0 apparently inspired
reports from Jackson, Townfey has a
new scheme under which the NonpAr-
tisan League is to give up the prac-
tioe OF nominating its own candidates
for the primary elections, and instead
h endorse those candidates nomi-
mated by the two old-nne parties
which the leaguers may regard as
mos favorable to the league program,
Balance Of Power.
In other wards, if Townley's report
ed plan is adopted an effort will be
made to get the two old parties bid
ding against each other for the sup
port of the league. This would not
only mean that the league would have
a very powerful voice in the councils
OF the county it finally decided 10
favor, but would also tend to sow dis
sension between the two parties and
would make difficult a fusion ticket
such as was adopted by thea Nortl,
Dakota Independents in the fail of
1850. y
Townley, according to reports, will
urge the adoption of this plan on the
league conventions in both North
Dakota and Minnesota, It seems like
ly hat 1t ma be adopted without
much difficulty by the Minnesota or
~ganization. but it may strike 4 very
decided snag in North Dakota.
Lemke May Fight. v
It is very doubtful if the mo COM
promise" bitter end" faction of the
league which is devoted to William
Lemke. the former attorney general,
will submit to this idea of Townley's
without a fight, especially since it is
doubtful if MI Lemk. will submit
to seeing the old leader of the league
resume his place as boss Of the
league without a fight.
National Third Party.
Another possible factor in league af-
fairs in this state during the next year
ID the formation Of a nationa third
party, steps for which have already
been taken in North Dakota by Nell
son A. Mason, who was Ex-Governor
Frazier's secretary, and other league
leaders.
The movement appears to have orig
mated in Nebraska. and stands for
many of the ideas which the Nonpar-
tisan league has advocated on a ma
tional scale. In fact, it appears to
be a more or less camouflaged edition
of the league with a platform de-
manding government ownership Of
the railroads., and similar socialistic
projects on a nationwide scale.
In Nebraska the alliance between
the two organizations is so c'ose that
the league publication has been dis
continued and publication of the
new party substituted. The Nonpar-
tisan League central committee of
Nebraska is also backing the new
! movement.
Senatorial Question.
If the new party gains sufficient Of
a foothold in North Dakota to even
attempt to take part in the campaign
OF 1922. it may cause some very de-
c!ded complications in the fight for
the United States senatorial toga.
In any case it seems pretty certain
that the next year will be an interest
Ing one in Nonpartisan League circles.
Ray at Lemke.
IN line with this plan Of Townley's
for the league to hold the ba ance OF
powers between the regular Democra,
and Republican parties a state.
ment from the majority members OF
the league executive committee fol
North Dakota. in which some sturdy
wallops are taken by implication a,
least at the Lemke element, and es.
P Pfgs a aty the e1-attorney genera
The names of Walter Maddox an
B. H. Walker. the two Lemke mem
bers of the committee. are consp!cu
Gus by their absence.
Bid for Surport.
This statement recon l. pub ish
in the league organ a fargo urg
business men of the state to suDpc
the principles of the %~onparti-a
League, and disclalms any part:cr..a
desire on the part Of the Lacquer
themselves to hold office.
Reading between the lines, this /
taken to mean hat the league will
support any candidate who will agre,
to stand on the platform demanded
by the leaguers rather than put I'll
their own candidates.
nnY