The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-10
TOwnley Plans To Use Whole
Force To Combat Legion.
Expects Campaign In This State
To Last Two Years.
LEGION ACCEPTS CHALLENGE
Defense League Being Organ
lied at Salina Today.
Nonpartisan Chief Tried To
"Freeze Out" His Opponents.

Salina. Kan. Jan. 10.-A. C. Townley
declared today that the offices soon
to be established in Topeka, by the
Nonpartisan league, will not only be
his personal headquarters, but the
headquarters for the whole state and
for the national work of the League as
we'll.
When interviewed, he was not In a
very talkative mood and snapped up
the interviewer at every opportunity
and made his answers short at all
times. To some of the questions ask
cd. he would not even answer.
When asked: How long will you
be with u.s." he stated, Probably for
two years. I'm in this fight TO the
end. He stated his address would be
impromptu, and would talk on straight
issues.
Claims Veterans Support.
He had big bundle of telegrams
| from Nebraska, where some of his men
are working. Among the kilograms
was the report of a big mass meeting
| of farmers and workers. representing
the Central Labor union of Cook Coun-
| ty. Nebraska, congratulating him and
his principles.
Also messages from the world war
veterans, in which they stated that
Townley and his principles are patri-
otfc. and that the real traitor of the
| Is Dig business ana men VINO
stifle free speech.
Battle Lines Drawn.
Battle lines between the American
Legion and the Nonpartisan forces
were drawn tight this morning. Dur
ling the night hundreds OF delegates to
tboth the statewide meeting of the
ILegion and civic bodies and to the Nom
partisan league. meetings began arriv-
ling. Every train this morning is
L hvfr, f,,a
.iautomobiies from nrilesS IN every III
4 rection are being parked in various
parts Of the city,
Town1ey arrived here this morning
| from Dickinson county, from wherc
ne conducted personal campaign for
three days. Farmers in Dickinson and
, Ellsworth counties have taken up the
| fight against Townley. and tomorrow
night have called a meeting at Solo,
mon. Reports from Dickinson and
ELLSWORTH counties state that the
Townley invasion has been unsuccess-
fui, due TO the efforts of farmers who
are holding school house meetings
In both OF these counties, the Farm
ers union, numbering four thousand
members, and the Grange, numbering
l,4OO. are in the fight against the
Lea que. This morning the state ex-
ecutive committee of the American
Legion of Kansas arrived here and
took part in the patriotic gathering
this afternoon.
Disorders Are Feared.
Every available hall in the city was
rented by Townley. One of the own
ers of the second largest theater this
morning gave the Townley manage
ment back the check for rent, and
then turned the hall over to the Ie-
gion without rent.
Mayor Matthews this morning an
nounced that large number of addi-
tional police had been sworn in, and
that the police would attend all of the
meetings While no disorder is an
Llcipated, the mayor proposes to be
ready for any eventually. He has
taken personal charge of the situation.
Fighting in the Open.
Nonpartisan league organizers un-
; der Townley, and former service men
; from every portion of the state who
are opposing Townley's campaign to
bring Kansas farmers into the League
organization brought their fight into
i the open here today in public meet
j., ings.
: Hundreds of farmers from surround
. ing counties interested in the effort to
set up a Nonpartisan league regime in
this state came TO Salina today to hear
1.-THE first public Dronouncements OF Mr..
= tTowney since his organization began
! its invasion of Kansas farm commune
r, ties. Townley announced lie would ad-
dress mass meeting this afternoon
!, land another tonight.
y Organize New League
81 Former service men coming in the
Ell fight by the American Legion officials
who have condemned the attitude of
Townley during the woNd war. held
meetings at another hall to unite in a
Unconstitutional defense league" with
1.-THE avowed purpose of eradicating
i, lTownleyism" from Kansas.
+, The state executive committee of the
fAmcrican league Joined in the contro-
@ yersy today with a resolution com
G mending the activities of the local
American Legion post in its strong OPP
:, position to Townley. The resolution
!, ladopted at Newton yesterday and read
: lat the defense league meeting today
scored Townley for his radical and un-
American views" but declared ''inso-
> far s the economic and political prin-
,sciples of the Nonpartisan League are
involved the department of Kansas
u takes no stand
It recommended that each Ameri
& lcan Legion member "to perform dut,
s. as citizen according TO his own con
4. science and understanding"
If Towniey, silently at work under 6
re storm of protests. said he would giv'
Z; a complete answer to his critics at tn
:; meetings today.
VI Referring to statement given on
: BY Gov Henry J. Alien bitterly attack
ing Townleys record. nd his prinf2
: pIes Townley declared the goverTio
.--- -. e-asd of the political effect o
~ the League movement rather than an,
= l.,mrr;cs. nisrn phase"
Ready to Debate Allen.
I'd Mr. Townley said he was ready L
lie appoint one of the League speakers