Farmers Independent

Governor Refuses Townley Demand to Remove Aides

Townley Is Not Farmer-Laborite, Governor Olson Tells Committee

(Editorial Page 3)

Governor Floyd B. Olson flatly refused to yield to the demands of a group inspired by Arthur C. Townley that the chief executive remove ten state officials because they were not "real" Farmer-Laborites, and, at the same time, issued a scorching attack on the veteran non-partisan league organizer.

Governor Olson, in his letter to E. P. Paquin, chairman of the "committee of 100," which presented the demands on Tuesday of last week, condemned Townley as "a man whom I never have nor do I now consider a farmer-laborite."

"For many years," Governor Olson said, "Townley, as the head of the non-partisan league, bitterly and vigorously opposed the formation of a third party in Minnesota."

"The evidence is conclusive that he organized the Benson meeting; that he dominated it; that he caused these communications and resolutions to be drawn; that he did not permit anyone opposed to his designs to even speak; and that his underlying motive was to become a candidate for governor."

The committee of 100, which claimed it represented farmer-laborites throughout the state, demanded that the governor remove the following officials: N. W. Elsberg, state highway commissioner; Carl Erickson, state purchasing agent; Gil Carmichael, director of the state drivers license bureau; Jean Spielman, state printer; R. A. Trovatten, commissioner of agriculture; L. P. Zimmerman, deputy administrator of the SERA; Theodore Arens, conservator of the rural credit bureau; and, with the exception of Commissioner Frank Yetka, of Carlton, any two members of the state conservation commission.

In refusing to accede to the demands, Governor Olson in his open letter claimed that several of the state officials they wanted ousted were members of the farmer-labor party long before members of the "committee of 100" became affiliated with the party. The governor said the other men never have been affiliated with any political party.

"Some of the men whose removal was requested have been members of the farmer-labor party for many years. The other men have never been affiliated with any political party. They were chosen entirely for their fitness for the particular office. Permit me to assure you that the latter group is in sympathy with the progressive aims and aspirations of the farmer-labor movement."

"Speaking frankly, I believe you have been misled by Mr. A. C. Townley, a man whom I never have nor do I now consider a farmer-laborite. For many years, as the head of the non-partisan league, he bitterly and vigorously opposed the formation of a third party in Minnesota."

"Mr. Townley believed in the political theory of gaining control of the dominant political party in a state. He has said nothing since the time he so bitterly opposed the formation of a third party to indicate he has changed from his original theory. That he has unsuccessfully sought political office through the votes of the farmer-labor party is no indication that he has changed his mind."

One of the St. Paul dailies reported last week that friends of Townley are discussing plans to file an independent ticket for various offices in the November election. The ticket included Townley for governor against Olson and Congressman F. H. Shoemaker for United States senator to oppose Henrik Shipstead.

"This campaign will be just as dirty as the last one," Governor Olson said when asked to comment on Townley's speech, "except that the republicans will have a new set of scandal-mongers, and the first recruit is Mr. Townley."

Governor Olson expressed the opinion that the action of the committee, coming on the eve of an election, will be viewed by many persons as a "deliberate attempt to disrupt and sabotage the farmer-labor movement." He said, however, he did not concur in that opinion.