New-York tribune., 1922-02-26
Says Farmers
OF West Favor
Bonus Passage
Ex-Governor Hadley of Mis-
souri, Explains 1t Is Felt
East Would Have 10 Bear
Most of Needed Taxation
Agrarian Party Possible
Nav Result From Dissatis-
faction Over Low Prices
of Land and of Products

Herbert s. Hsdley, former Governor
q Missouri, who came East for the
trs. time in several years to attend
the conference of The American Bar As
rotations IN Washington, discussed at
.he City Club yesterday general politi-
al and economical conditions from the
sont OF view of the Western farmers.
Mr.. Hadley asserted there was a
widespread dissatisfaction among the
.yrsrian people Of the West because
Oi the low prices of stock, feed, corn,
,tc., snd the depreciation in farm val
ues he said that these conditions were
Iesding to IA agrarian movement which
might result in tho formation of a
third political party. He said, how
eyer, that he did not think it probable
that such a party would materialize,
but chat it would be headed off by the
Increasing prices of stock and wheat.
Be said that conditions in the West
we're similar to those which led to the
formation Of the Populist Party in
1892, when the farmers burned corn as
they are doing now.
Believe in Ford and Edison
The reason for the demand in the
West for fat money, Mr. Hadley said
was the feeling that the big bankers
we're getting too much, and that there
was 10 good reason for the govern
ment to issue bonds, when it could
make money itself. He declared that
the farmers throughout the West
.lo ~,
non: of Henry Ford and Thomas A.
Edison that the gold standard should
be abolished. They believed in Ford
end Edison because Of their big
achievements in business, rsilroading
ard science, and their proposals for
developing scme of the resources of
the country. He said that the farmers
we're inclined co believe that men who
could do these things could solve the
problems of the country better than
Senator's or Representatives at Wash
irgton. Fiat money would put more
money in circulation and bring better
prices for the crops, III the opinion Of
thc farmers.
Mr Hadley. referring to the possible
results of the coming Congre ssional
elections in the West, said that il was
not impossible, though unlikely to hap
pen. that they would change the polit
lcal complexion OF Congress. This was
not likely to happen, however, he SAID,
because conditions were getting better.
The farmers we're not altogether salts
sed with the Republican Admlnistra-
ton, he said. but they were unwilling
to place much confidence in the Demo
Gratis The tendency, he declared, was
always TO blame the party in power,
whether the party was at fault or not.
In Favor of Bonus
The farmers we're generally in favor
OF the soldiers bonus, Mr. Hadley said,
as they felt that most of the required
the West would be benefited by more
money.
Mr.. Hadley declared it was pretty
veil understood in Democratic circles
IN Missouri that Senator James A. Reed
at the elections next fall. The Demo-
Gratis were accusing Senator Reed of
treason to his party, according to the
former Governor, because Of his oppo-
stion to President Wilson, 1t was
likely, he said, that the Democrats
would nominate Judge Cockrell, son
Of former Senator Cockrell Of that
state
MIR Hadley said he was taking no
active interest in politics at the pres
ent time. He is lecturer on law at
the University of Colorado. He was
Governor of Missouri from 1909 to
1918. He was en ardent Progressive
during the late Colonel Roosevelt's
domination of that party.