Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-07-15
HARDING APPROVES
DIRT FARMER" PLAN
And Adds that If Democrats Had
Kept Men of Jim Wilson Type
As Sec. of Agriculture H. c. L.
Would Not Threaten

Marion, Ohio, July Ex-senator Harding
to-day devoted his entire time to confer
ences with Republican and Progressive
leaders as well as agricultural experts
with whom he discussed labor, transporta-
ton. economic and social problems.
In addition. he also replied in a state
ment to the announcement of Governor
Cox, the Democratic presidential nominee,
that If elected a real dirt farmer
would be appointed secretary of agricul-
ture. The senator said il the Republican
policies of practical usefulness under
which that department was originally
created had been carried forward by the
present administration half our problems
OF high cost of living would have been
solved for us in advance"
The principal conference to-day was
with Raymond Robins of Chicago and
Walter f. Drown of Toledo. Ohio. promi-
nent as n Progressive in the 1912 cam
paign. with whom he discussed labor and
economio problems especially. After hav-
ing been closeted with them for four
hours. Robins announced that the
conf"'' had been very satisfactory"
Matt volving the part the Progressive
W ~ NdiIItdiSu, lit Sdll
were - discussed.
On the fundamentals surrounding the
general economic situation existing in
this country and Europe. Mr.. Robins said
ne and the Republican nominee were in
substantial agreement" but added how
ever mat the general views of both on
those matters were generally known.
Mr.. Robins said he had communicated
with some of the labor leaders of the
country in order to learn their views re-
garding the Republican presidential tic
ket. but most Of them wished to read the
senator's speech of acceptance first be-
fore committing themselves. although
some had already done so. He announced.
however, hat he would support Senator
Harding.
While this was understood to have been
the first extended conference at which
the senator had discussed the labor stu
alton at length. it was understood to-
night that other conferences of a similar
nature might be expected to follow. Sem
ator Harding is understood to be in close
touch with labor leaders recognized as
being more conservative stripe and he is
expected to seek their views on the gen.
eral labor subject before discussing that
problem in his speech.
Senator Harding when told tonight that
Governor Clement of Vermont had de-
clined to call a special session of the State
Legislature to consider ratification of the
woman suffrage amendment refused to
comment except to say II had hoped that
he would" No indication was given as
to what his future plans would be rela-
tive to that subject.
In his statement regarding the appoint
ment of a secretary of agriculture. Sena-
for i Jt~~ -o,l - i -
know of the acknowledgment "of at least
one mistake of Democratic administra-
ton"
Il note.' the statement said, that the
Democratic candidate announces, as one
of the first reforms he has in mind. to
appoint a real dirt farmer as secretary
or Agriculture. That is a reform the
Republican party does not need to adopt.
For 16 years, under three Republican ad-
ministrations. we had a real farmer from
a real farm as secretary of agriculture
Uncle jim Wilson Of Iowa, who made
the department the greatest of it's sort
in the world. He ran it for the farmers,
made it an instrument to fight for the
farmers and to serve them in a thousand
ways
When the Democrats came into power
they brought a university president as
secretary of agriculture: and after him
a publisher. The Democratic party GER
tainly needs to be reformed in this re-
gard. The Republican party certainly
does not. AS in the past, the Republican
party will 60 on developing the depart
ment for the service Of real farms and
real farmers.
"The truth is that II the great DEPART
ment OF agriculture that Jim Wilson built
up under Mckinley. Roosevelt and Taft
had been maintained and carried forward
under the old Republican ideals Of prac-
teal usefulness, half our problem Of high
cost OF living would have been solved for
US in advance.
1T is gratifying to see this early recos-
milton OF at least one mistake Of Demo
cratic Administration, and purpose to cor
rect it by returning 10 Republican meth
DDS. A lot OF others will be found that can
be corrected in the same way; and when
the country comes to pass on the pro-
gram, 1t will decide to apply the Repub-
lican method Of correction directly
through a Republican administration
mother caller to-day was Senator Cum
minis OF Iowa, chairman Of the Senate In
terstate Commerce Committee, who dis
cussed the transportation situation with
MIN. In a statement later. the Iowa sem
ator praised the Republican candidate
whom re declared e as progressive as
any man In the country. bar none"
l.. j, Taber of GAINESVILLE. O.. head of
the OHIO State Grange and Judge r. NJ.
Wanamaker OF Akron, o.. candidate for
the United States senatorial nomination
TO succeed Senator Harding also called.
In order to get down to work on his
speech, the senator planned TO go into Sc
clusion Tor the next few days, beginning
tomorrow so that he can complete it this