Evening star., 1920-07-12
HARDING DISCUSSES
RAILROAD PROBLEM
AND LIVING COSTS
Cummins and Taber Pleased
With His Views on Big
Questions.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

MARION. Oh1o, July l2.-I ne prop
lens of transportation and of agricul-
ture were discussed today by Senator
Harding. the republican nominee. with
Senator Cummins of Iowa, chairman
of the Senate interstate commerce
committee. and L. j. Tabcr of Bornes-
Vile. master of the Ohio State Grange.
Both men, when they left. declared
themselves most favorably impressed
with the grasp Senator Harding has
of these important questions.
Senator Cummins came here last
night from Des Moines at the request
of Senator Harding to talk over rail-
road problems. Mr.. Taber arrived
this morning.
His Outlook All Forward"
Il think that Senator Harding
graSps the real problems that we have
to deal with as well. if not more COM
prehensively than. any other man of
my acquaintance" was the comment
of Senator Cummins. His outlook is
all forward and not backward. with
respect to all the questions that Will
interest us in the next decade or half
decade. he is as progressive as any
man in the country. bar none.
Every day that passes, Senator Cum
Minis continued, furnishes further vim
dlcation of the new railroad law which
has been denounced in the democratic
platform Emphasizing the gravity of
the railroad situation and the need
for wise handling of the railroad
problems, Senator Cummins said:
The inability of the railroads to do
the business of the country is costing
the country every day more than the
German war cost the people any day"
Food Is Held Up.
He referred to the fact that the
moving of enormous amounts of grain
and vast numbers of food animals had
been blocked by lack of adequate rail-
way facilities and service.
Senator Cummins predicted that if
the democrats should be in power aft
er the elections in November they
would not change the railroad law
which they have denounced Senator
Robinson of Arkansas. chairman of
the democratic national convention
ne pointed out, was one of the most
helpful men in the Senate in putting
through the railroad BILL and had him
self drafted the anti-strike clause
with which the bill passed the SEN
ate. Senator Pomerene of Ohio he
said. was also strong supporter of
the anti-strike clause.
Square Deal to Farmers.
Mr.. Taber said: at is inspiring to
find that Senator Harding is keenly
alive to the Importance of q proper
recognition of agriculture and realizes
the necessity of the agriculture prop
eriy functioning if the nation is to
enjoy enduring prosperity..". lie add
ed he felt confident Harding would
give the farmers a square deal, which
has not been accorded them, he said
in recent years. The Ohio State
Grange represents 100000 farmers.
The farmers. on the other hand. he
predicted, would support Harding
Other callers upon Senator Harding
today included Walter f. Brown of
Toledo, former progressive but Hard
ing's floor manager in the convention,
and Raymond Robbins of Chicago.
Tomorrow Senator Harding plans to
go into seclusion to write his address
of acceptance and will hold few con-
ferences, if any, until that document
is concluded. He admitted today he
had been able to write hardly a dozen
pages of the address in long hand SO
far.
Week End of Conferences.
The week end in Marion was signal
lied by important conferences be-
tween Senator Harding and Mai Gen.
Leonard Wood and between the nomi-
nee and Chairman VIII Hays of the
national committee and Harry NJ
Daugherty, his pre- convention man
ager. Gen. Wood pledged his support
of the republican ticket
What part Gen. Wood will play in
the coming campaign is problemat-
ical, other than urging his supporters
Tor the nomination to get busy for
Harding. AS an officer of the ARMY
he might be seriously embarrassed in
Undertaking active work for the re-
his retiring from the Army on his
own request, as he is entitled to do,
has been rumored. In that event his
hands would be free. At the end of
the campaign, if he enters it after
taking such action. he would be in a
position TO undertake any important
private business that might offer or
as has been suggested, he might he
selected as Secretary of War if the
republican ticket is elected.
VIII Hays brought to Senator Hard
ing reports from various states show
ing that the republican outlook was
very bright. "a'
"FrOnt Porch" Plans Di.cv..s
The rumor that the from no.o,,,
campaign of Senator Hardiner 80 ~ -,
be abandoned for a more active sne,t
ing campaign raised its head ~,
the advent of Mr.. ays. But Senstnr
Harding put his foot on this When ba
sald that he was still true to his f,s,
ioNe. MT. nays admitted that some
800 requests for Senator Harding 70
deliver addresses in states fron ~
gon TO Florida had been received ~.
the national committee. But il w..
pointed out that these requests were
only natural. "ei
Some Of the republican leaders have
oeen urging that front norch.,
campalsn ca I i such as Mckinley waeed
d. tff 'ifs nome IN canton: Ohio. presents
a o!Herent aspect in this day. Wben
Mckinney was candidate the str;nt
laW regarding railroad passes vas
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