The New York herald., 1922-01-30
PEOPLE WANT RELIEF
Divorce of Politics From
Business and Economic
Needs Held Vital.
BONUS AS ELECTION BAIT
Dollar Patriotism and Per
sonal Fortune Seeking Seen
as Insurgent Seeds.
BY LOUIS sEIBoLD.

BY LOUIS sEIBOLD.
Special Dispatch TO THE New York HBRALp.
| New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. Jan. %.
There is almost complete concur
renee of opinion among political leaders
that the recent insurgent demonstra-
tions Of different groups in the coun-
try implies warming that cannot be
| ignored with safety.
The recent gestures of the nom
partisan agricultural bloc in Congress
and the maneuvers of the farmers
conference are considered to have been
beneficial in several ways.
The first is that it has compelled
party and Congressional leaders hold
ing smugly optimistic but fatuous
opinion Of their understanding Of the
needs of the country to admit that
their conclusions have been wrong.
Instead Of being satisfied with the pro-
fessional reading Of popular signs the
agriculturists have made it clear that
not only are they dissatisfied, but dis
gusted with the failure OF their rep
resentatives at Washington to stop
talking and give an exhibition of en-
ergy of a more profitable character.
The second development of agricul-
tural activities as appraised by party
leaders is an illuminating revelation
| nf
"Bo,shevism," "radicalism' and in
surgency" that has been seething to
reach the surface and that has finally
erupted with almost stupefying re.
suits.
| Wiser Leaders Interpretation.
The wiser leaders in both parties in
terrret the rebellious demonstration as
rejecting an extensive popular view
that the Administration and Congress
have subordinated real issues to chase
political rainbows designed to influ-
encc voters to favor individuals rather
than parties.
Republican leaders admit their deep
concern over the impressive warning
sounded by discontented groups OF
voters throughout the country, OF
which the farmer has been the most
energetic and disturbingly vocal. Tho
Democratic captains and subalterns
who are asserting the functions of
vitally needed leader find little more
comfort in the situation than their
rivals mainly because the latter are in
control of the Government.
The fact Is that the fault finding Of
the agricultural and other blocs with
the Harding Administration and the
Republican Congress does not neces-
sarily imply Endorsement Of Demo-
cratic policies--if there are any,
The Congressional agricultural bloc
is truly non partisan; If anything the
Democratic party contributes more
generously to it's numerical str sngth
in the voting line than the Re. .,ubli-
cans. Political students do not inter-
pret the signs Of political upheaval
among voters Of all classes as reflect
ing either approval of one party or
disapproval of the other. They dis
Germ in the hostile manifestations a
deeply rooted belief among the people
that there is entirely too much parti-
san politics in the administration OF
the Government and too little regard
for the economic and social needs.
Singled Ont for Attack.
The Republican party is singled out
as a target for attacks, according tc
the student who looks beneath the
surface for causes rather than effects
merely because the responsibility rests
upon 1t and not on the Democratic
lparty They do not read the signs as
reflecting approval of Democratic poll
cies because there are none. But
they do hold that the leaders Of both
rarties have paid entirely too much
attention to propaganda and too little
to policies.
They mean by this that the people
of the country who are looking to the
Government for the removal of op-
prcssive influences which provoke dis.
content and resentment have not beer
favorably impressed by the progress.
mede in this direction by the Admins.
Il alton and Congress, not only since
the election of Mr.. Harding but be.
fore It,
During the last two years of the
Wilson Administration both partie.
devoted all of their attention to play.
ing for political advantage and gave
little thought to the economic needs o.
the country. The Democrats centeret
J their attention to bring about the rati
fication of the Versailles Treaty; tn,
Republicans to defeat 1t.
Economic conditions had been goins
from bad to worse during the last tive
years OF the Wilson Administration
There was deep resentment amonf
the people and they accepted Oh,
pledges of the Republican party to pro
vide business administration by sep
areting politics from business ant
moving for the Improvement of tn,
latter. The demonstrations of tn,
agricultural and other groups which
,, are beginning to reflect dissatisfaction
with the results proves to experience,
Republican and Democratic leaders
that the pledge has not been kept.
: Republican members of Congress il
| the economic necessities of the country
{ and their failure to observe funda
? mental issues of value to the peopl,
is properly attributed by some leader,
to their anxiety over their own politi
cal fortunes. The Republican Senators
and Representatives. have tried to neu
=