Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-19
FARM BLOC VICTORY
SEEN IN NEBRASKA.
Nomination Of r. 3. Howell by
Republicans for U. S. Sen
ator Blow to Machine
CANDIDATE IS POPULAR
Bv CLINTON ". GILBERT

CopUv70ht, 17gS, ~ fNoiN be"o' '""'P""N
Washington. July 10. - Il. Il.
Howell, of Omaha. in winning the Re
publican nomination for the Senate in
Nebraska. repeats the victory of Brook
hart in Iowa. The machine in Ne
braska repeated their tactics in Iowa.
putting n number of candidates in the
field 70 divide Howell's support. In
spite Of it all. Howell appears to have
won easily.
The significance Of the result is that
everywhere the farmers are seeking
farm bloc Senators In Nebraska. Iowa.
North Dakota. and to less extent
in Indiana. what we are witnessing
is a spread of the farm bloc movement.
II is Il mistake 10 regard this as
radical movement. The farmers of
Iowa are fundamentally conservative.
They are seeking changes in the rail
road law which will make IL possible
tn give them lower freight rates. But
this Is 81 little radical that the Pres
ident and his Cabinet recently desired
special reductions in rates on farm and
certain other commodities shipped in
bulk. only to find that the railroads
would not make them voluntarily ana
that the Interstate commerC" Commits
sion was barred ny law from making
anything but horizontal cuts in rates.
Interested in Taxes
Besides freight rates they arc in
tercStcd in Federal taxes. For the
first time in the history of the country.
direct Federal taxation has become
important. as n result Of the heavy
cost uf the war. Groups and classes
are beginning TO organize tn $hitt the
burden Of taxation from their own
shoulders. aS much a. possible. I" those
Of other citizens. In this movement
the farmers have the jump on all other
clements in tho community.
But there j. nothing radical or oven
progressive about that. II * Just plain
human nature. II i this instinct 10
make the other fellow pay which Is
responsible for the break ur Of marty
government and for ninc-tenths Of th"
confusion that exists here in Washing
ton Where We once had Il broad haSl'
of union we now have grounds for d.
vision.
\ third interest Of the farmers is an
improved distribution system which
will assure them larger Shar" Of tn"
pric" paid bv the consumer for their
crops. tO-op"rat.v" marketing orgnnl-
cations have uu!ntod the way, but there
is growing M among the farmers n de-
mnnd for government financing Of the
holding of their crops. They are ask
ing for larger share Of tho credit
available for industry in this country.
As We are in the habit OF calling any
thing which as~nilS III" private market
ing and distribution system vt this
country radical. or AT least progressive.
tthi> phase of the farm bloc movement
which is giving us rs Senators Howell.
Brookhart. Frazier and Reveridge. Is
neither radical nor progressive. II is
still vague and inrh0at".
Howell Strong With Farmers
Howell will especially appeal to TN"
Nebraska farmers ~ representing their
dcSir" for better marketing facilities.
II" for some years led the fight in their
interests against the Omaha Grain EX-
change" He has moreover managed
municiral gas. water. ice and electric
plants in Omaha. Government in busi-
ness has no torrorS for him
Senator Hitchcock. who has been ro-
nominated by the Democrats. i the
favurit" of the larger business interests
# tn" Statc. II" has accomplished
the fear Of getting himself elected twice
20 tn" Senate from n Republican State.
He has a large support among th"
more conservative Republicans Of tho
state. Eut III" Bryan followers in
Nebraska oppose him. If, however.
Rryan'> brother. Charles W. Bryan.
proves 10 he the Democratic candidate"
for Goynrnnr. community Of interest
may lead 10 the BryAnites supporting
Hitchcock and the Hitchcock followers
Charles Iiryan. which will make form
Idabl" combination.
Mr.. IIitchrock is one of III" ahlest
Of tn" Democratic Senators. flc is n