Albuquerque morning journal., 1920-03-18
CANDIDATES FOR
PRESIDENT MUST
MEASURE UP To
STANDARDS SET
Farmers to Determine Where
White House Aspirants
Stand on Questions A.
feCting Nations Welfare,
DEFINITE AND CLEAR
REPLIES ARE WANTED
By Means of QueStionnaireS
AgriCuIturiStS Hope TO
Learn Much Which viii
Be of Use in Campaign,


Washington, March 17.-Elimi-
nation of the middle man, protec-
tion of the farmer in his right to
organize, appointment of an expert
acceptable to organized agricultur-
lists as secretary of agriculture and
representation for farmers on all
boards and commissions, are the
main planks in the farmers plat
form outlined in the questionnaire
to be submitted to presidential can
didates, according to c. S. Barrett,
president of the national board and
chairman of the committee which
drew. up the document.
Other issues presented included
the free and unquestioned right o;
collective buying, reduction of the
farm tenancy evil Improvement of
farm credit facilities, national con-
serVation and the maintenance OF
free speech, free press and free as
sembly.
The committee already has listed
fourteen active or prospective can
didates to receive the inquiry and
active or receptive, assumes that
status. The list now includes Vice
President Marshall, Senators john
son, PoindeXter. Harding, Lenroot
and owen; Governors Cox, Sproul,
Coolidge and Goodrich, and Her
bert Hoover.
There is no plan for interroga-
tion of presidential candidates but
copies of the QUESTIONABLE will be
placed in the hands of all members
of the organization. Frequent re-
ports will be made on answers re-
ceived from the presidential candi-
dates.
1--WE have started something that
we will stay with to the finish"
Mr. Barrett said This question
naire is a statement of principles,
not a perfunctory inquiry as tol
where candidates stand on n GER
tain question.
at is not an exclusive platform.
1t is large enough to accommodate |
all honest citizens and all who en- |
dorse it's principles are invited to
aid in enacting them into law This
can be done il we have the right
kind of a president and are repre-
sented in congress by the proper
sort of patriotic citizens.
The questionable is in the form |
of q letter asking the recipient TO |
send definite and clear replies
to twelve specific inquiries as to
his views. -,
prosperity on the farm is the
first condition of general prosper
ity," the preamble asserts. Deciihe
of agriculture and always has been
the central danger to civilization.
is declining in America
If the general welfare of our peo-
pie is to be safeguardedt the de-
crease in farm production COM
pared with population and the i'm
pairment of the fertility of our soil
must be stopped.
"In view of the power exercised
bv the president upon both the leg
islative and administrative branch
es of our government we believe
that not only the forty million peo-
ple who live and work on our
farms, but all Americans, desire
and, have the right to know in ad-
vance what they may count upon a
candidate to do after election"
The questions follow:
"Wiu YOU do your best to bring
about such direct dealing between
producer and consumer as VIII Sc
,ure to farmers fair share of the
wealth they create, regulate the
cost of living to the consumer and
limit or destroy the opportunity or
the profiteer?
"Will you do all that in you lies
TO secure to all farmers and con-
sumers the full, free and unques-
TONED right to organize and to
nurchase and sell comparatively?
"Will you see that the farm peo-
pie OF America are represented on
general boards and commissions in
whose membership various inter-
psts are recognized, whether or not
The work is directly concerned
with agricultureY IL
"Will you appoint secretary OF
agriculture who knows actual farm
conditions, who is satisfactory to
he farm organizations of America,
and who will cause to be made
studies of farm pro-
iuction costs at home and abroad,
md publish the uncensored facts?
"Will you take the action neces-
,ary to ascertain and make public
Iii obtainable facts concerning the
great and growing evil of farm
enancy, so that steps may be taken
o check. reduce or end it?
''Will you do your best to secure
improved personal and commodity h
,redit facilities on reasonable terms !
or farmers? Is
"Will you earnestly endeavor to !
ecure cooperative organizations !
# farmers engaged in Interstate
service and supplies !
.aual in all respects to those fur
Iished private enterprises under I
ike circumstances? :
"The railroads having been re- !
urned to their owners. If az the :
nd of two years of further trial of !
,rivate ownership the railroads fail !
0 render reasonably satisfactory
ervice to the people. will you then +,
avor reopening the railroad oues- =
ion?
"Will you use your best efforts =
0 secure payment of the war debt, =
hiefly through highly graduated :
ocome tax or, otherwise, by those !,
est able to pay? 7
"Will you earnestly strive to
phold and enforce the national u
policy, and especially 4
, stop forest devastation, which Il
as already more than doubled the q