Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-23

Nonpartisan league state convention
opened at 2 o'clock this afternoon It
appeared that the first clash between
the opposing factions would be on the
question of whether the convention
sessions should be open or executive.
the ''moderates" were in favor 81 opem
sessions. while A. A., Liederbach and
MS strong supporters were known to
favor a closed door policy.
May Eliminate Both.
illumination of both A.. C. Townley
and A. A. Liederbach as factors in the
domination of the league appeared to
be favored by certain delegates and
is one Of the possible outcomes of the
convention.
1t is pointed out. however, that any
attempt of this kind would result in
favor OF the Townley faction since
Liederbach owes his influence almost
entirely to his position on the state
executive committee, and control Of
the Courier-News,1 1while Townley will
continue to be big influence in
league affairs regardless of whether
or not he holds any office.
Mention Griffith For Governor.
The name of r. b. Griffith of
Grand Forks was mentioned by
several delegates today as O pos
sihlity for the endorsement of
the league for govcr1lor. They
believe that the Grand Forks man
would be strong candidate.
Changes in Alignment.
Certain changes in alignment be-
came evident during the morning and
1t appeared possible that Lied erhach
ana his group might have to fight
hard for the retention Of their power
In the executive committee of the
league and for the control Of the
Courier-News
Complaint Against Liedcrbach.
While the committee plan provid-
Ing for the nomination of q full state
ticket seems to meet with general
favor among the delegates. there is
considerable discomfort over the way
the affairs of the league and especially
the Cour1er-News have been run by
the majority Of the committee, and
pecially against Liederbach person
ally.
This will be made use of to the ut
termost by the Townley faction.
It is probable that the bylaws
under which the executive committee
claims that its members hold office for
two years, and cannot be removed by
.ic present CoHFeH4OH, Will De Calle0
into question, the Townley faction,
represented on the executive commit
tee by Walter Maddox and r.. H.
Walker. claiming that these bylaws
were drawn up by the committee
members themselves and are in no
way binding upon the league.
+ Must Reach Settlement.
1t will be necessary to reach some
settlement, of the differences among
the members Of the league before the
question of candidates for offices is
taken up, and SO far most of the dele
gates seem to be at sea in the matter
except, in connection with the United
States senatorship.
Favor Gronna. -
For this office the members Of the
Liederbach faction generally seem to
favor the nomination Of A. J. Gronna
while Lynn J. Frazier is favored by
their opponents. There is a possibil-
ity that no endorsement for this office
will be made; in which case Gronna's
friends will endeavor to throw the
league vote to him. and hope at the
same time that he will be given per-
centage of the Independent vote which
he could not obtain il formally en-
dorsed by the league. The probabili-
ties are, however. that either Gronna
OI rIAZASE Will Oe eHuOTSeU, Will tine
odds apparently favoring the Lakota
man.
No Analysis Possible.
While there is little talk in regard
to gubernatorial candidates. the
names most frequently mentioned are
r. b. Grif1th and H. H. Aaker OF
Grand Forks, F. w. Cathro OF Bot
tineau. and U. L. Burdick OF Willis
ton. There seems to have been some
increase in Burdick sentiment during
the day. but the whole situation In
regard to the governorship is toe
nebulous at this time to make any
analysis possible.
The same is true Of the other stats
Offices.