New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-03
POOLING THE FARMERS.

The New York American. when u
supporting Governor Wilson. but i
not blind 10 the weaknesses Of his 20
sition. gave him some sound advice the
other day. II praised his facility III
speaking extemporaneousiy and the
ease and grace with which ne can silde
over p subject without committing
himself 70 any definite programme or
promise. The Democratic campaign
managers have urged Governor Wilson
To be as e1temporaneouS. fugitive and
evasive as possible. But The Amerl-
can" rightly sees that studied atu-
tude Of vagueness on the Democratlc
candidates part viii be grave point
ica' blunder. II said that Nh. wilson
having practically sidetracked the
Democratic national platform as mot
q programme" ought now 10 foTnulsle
some positive policies Of his own anu
added: What the people expect OF
Woodrow Wilson ar this time i not
so much felicity Of speech as tnouenl-
..fuI. fearless leadership. constructive
craftsmanship and definite pro
"sramme
Governor Wilson has 50 FAR Only
ulaved disingenuously around the edgeS
az the issues in which the public IS IN
tereSted. He lacks either definite IDEAS
or the courage 20 put them into words
Tins in Pennsylvania last week De
limited 10 an assemblage or farmers
that he approved the principle Of the
crotesque Farmers Free List bIA'
nassed by Congress last year IN q spirit
~ trickery and properly vetoed oy
President Taft He criticised tie veto
mn carefully avoided saying that ne
would have signed similar measure
under similar circumstances.
What he also failed 10 tel the Penn
svlvania farmers was that if ne re-
.sretted the vetoinG Of a free llst Dii'
for the benefit Of the farmers. be must
also regret the neglect Of Congress %
mass and Of the President 70 sign a
ee-ies Of other free list bills for the
benefit Of various other classes or pro
ducers and consumers. Mr.. wilson
saws that be is firmly against all class
legislation. II that is 50. he shouiu
want 70 have the things used by the
artisan. the factory hand and the rail-
road enploye put on the free list as
well as those used by the farmer. No
politician who proposes 70 make i'm
norris free solely because they are 70 De
1sed By farmers can logically refuse %
make imports free because they are 10
be used BY other classes OF workers
Rut such a programme points directly
20 free trade all along the line Wny.
men. did not Governor Wilson tel the
PENNSYLVANIA farmers that he was III
'avor OF free trade in all the articles
rbich they raise a. well as in all the
.rticles which they consume Presum-
,blv be is since he holds that tarln
Iuties on agricultural products never
nave benefited the American farmer
md never can benefit him.
The Democratic candidate would
make q more impressive figure II ne
should say frankly that he believes III
throwing down all barriers against
free trade Then the farmers would
know exactly what they would have
10 expect from him, and not be duped
into the assumption that he would try
10 put through a free list for their ex-
elusive benefit while denying equal
treatment u other consumers and pro-
ducers. We don't think that the Gov
ernor will md a very hearty welcome
from the farmers IL he tells them what
his purpose really is-if he acknowl-
edges that his chief reliance for re-
ducing the cost Of living is 70 check
domestic industry. increase non-em-
plovment. force down wages and bring
in lower prices by reducing the gen
eral purchasing power OF the commu-