The Washington times., 1920-10-19
Farmers, In Arms OUer
Refusal of u. S. Credit,
Swell Harding Hosts

failed all along to show an apprecia-
ton OF their troubles and difncul-
ties.
Ii is true there are some strong
movements OF a more or less radical
ownership. But the Nonpartisan
League movement Is one. There
is a considerable amount OF farm
er opposition 10 the new railroad
bill and demand on the part OF much
OF this opposition for Government
ownership. But the Nonpartisan
League is giving It's chief attention
TO the control OF State governments
In order to forward its policy OF
state ownership OF grain. Of elevators
and certain utilities. And the major
ity OF the Nonpartisan League mem
bers Will vote for Harding.
As the Democratic platform sup
ports the new railroad law, Mr.. Cox
Is not In a position TO gain the bene-
mt OF the opposition OF the radical
farmers to the measure. Mr.. Cox
will get some additional votes be-
cause OF the unrest among the farm
ers OF the West, but he will lose
more because OF the feeling OF the
farmers against the Wilson Admin
istration.
DAKOTA STOCK RAIsERs.
Here is the case OF the South Da-
kota livestock raiser and cattle
feeder who has borrowed money on
his herd and now finds the bank serv-
ing notice the loan will have to be
paid In the next thirty or sixty days.
This threatens the livestock man with
disaster. Naturally, he isn't feeling
very kindly to the administration un-
der which such a policy is pursued or
permitted.
This trouble over credits is only one
factor which Is operating In the agri-
cultural States.
Early In the campaign, when the
tarifr was mentioned as factor. a
great many people smiled. Some de-
rided the notion. But the progress of
the campaign has revealed that IL is a
factor. and that it is large one
among the farmers. Practically every
branch of agricultural industry in
California Is demanding protection.
The citrus fruit growers have been
most prominently mentioned, but they
are only one factor. The wool grow
ers, the corn growers. who fear Ar
gentine corn, and wheat growers in
all the leading agricultural States are
talking strongly of the need of pro-
lection.
FARMERS FEAR Low TARIFF.
In substance, they say the American
farmer finds himself with the prices
of lands showed much higher than in
other countries. which are capable of
large agricultural production; with
labor high and scarce, and with all
costs for materials; for seed, for fer
tilizer. high. They say the Ameri-
can farmer, unless protected, will be
. l.,-
from abroad and his business knocked
into a cooked hat.
So, the farmers are insisting that
something be done about 1t. Senator
Harding has come out definitely for
a protective policy and none need be
surprised if this is found after No
vember 2, to have added much to his
strength in a long list of States.
Wheat farmers are finding that Ca
madam wheat, is being shipped into
the American market. The reason the
bottom has dropped out of the prices
of wheat in this country lately Is that
Canadian wheat. from cheaper lands
in the Canadian northwest, has been
coming in. This has stirred up the
wheat farmers, especially the north
western wheat farmers. and they in
sist that II something is not done to
relieve them from this unequal Ca
madam competition they will be
ruined.
What is to become of the American
bread basket is a problem of constant
ly enhanced difficulty. The men and
women on the farms realize it even
more fully than the dwelers in the
urban districts. And Administrations
from this time forth will have to give
nh INT
gent attention. The great body Of
the farming elements, displeased over
the course of this Administration, will
vote to turn the matter over to Mr..
Harding, who, in his Minnesota
speech some time ago, set forth cer-
tain constructive ideas which have
carried an appeal in the agricultural
country and will be a source of great
strength to the new Administration il
they are carried into practical opera
tion.