New-York tribune., 1922-01-28
''Old Cuard''
Alive to Peril
In Farm Bloc

Continual from paue en.,
4 formidable third party movement de-
veloping.
Senator Kenyon, chairman Of the
Senate agricultural bloc, to o-day vicor-
ousiy denied reports that the bloc was
cut to make war on the Administration
or on men in Congress who have not
been in sympathy with its aims.
There is no politics in the bloc. As
a matter Of fact the efforts to make it
appear that it is political constitute a
new effort TO destroy it and destroy it's
usefulness" said MIR. Kenyon. "Narious
efforts have been made to Kill 1t and
this is the latest do not know man
in the bloc who is actuatcd by personal
ambition in seeking agricultural legs-
lation. The talk that am moved by
ambition is ridiculous.
Perhaps the best answer can make
to charges that this is political or is
aimed at anyone is found in the fact
that nearly every bill wc have passed
has gone through the Senate by almost
unanimous vote. This packers bill is
an exception, but as to nearly all Of
them it is true"
senator kenyon declared the bloc wa
out to injurc nobody and no class, that
on the other hand the attacks on il had
merely strengthened it and it would
survive under such attacks.
Senator Kenyon as we'll as others in
the bloc, however, leave no doubt that
If they are attacked they do not intend
to turn the other check.
"Old Guard Under Fire
There is a sharp distinction between
what will be done By tho bloc in poll
tics and what will DO done by some
Of the men in it. Undoubtedly, the
progressive Republican Senators in the
bloc will do what tNey have dove be-
fore. oppose the return of "Old Guard"
Republican Senators whom they get tho
opportunity. This would be done
whether the bloc existed or net. 1t
represents the action OF the progress
sive Republican element in tho Senate,
or certain part Of that element,
rather than any action of tho aericul-
tural bloc itself. This has led to great
confusion of thought and information
as TO the bloc's purpose. Such Rcpubli-
CANS rs Kenyon. Borah. Norris and
johnson arc refusing to 90 to the help
in this campaign of certain OF tho Re.
publcans they call rcactionary. To
what extent they will fight them open
~ is q question. 1t is known Senator
Borah has refused TO go into states
where he has been asked to fight "Old
Guard Republicans, holding that he
did not feel justified in taking part in
such primary contests. II is probab bic
this course will be followed for the
VI I,.{ ho
cans.
The whole situation as discussed to-
day by leader of the House bloc, who
is regarded as one Of the more solid or
conservative Of its members, is summed
up by him in these words:
"Some here see in the resolution a
new victory for the farm bloc. 1t is
interpreted by certain more or less
impartial critics as spelling failure for
what to them is nnaneuvcr by the
President to deprecatc the SECTIONAL
isn, strife. particular in the Senate,
between the agrarians and the regu
lars.
"l' this contention is accurate there
fellows the question, How far will they
carry their program?
Primary Fight Improbable
at is absurd to believe that the con-
test in the Republican party will be
carried into the primaries or into the
next national convention. Although
the indications now arc that in the
Senatorial fights. at least, there is to
be some cunning for the seats Of re-
actionaries who have shown unfriend
liucss for the bloc, this form of politi
cal pastime will not take on as strenu
GUS proportions S now seems probab bic.
"The party catastrophe Of 1912 and
the disastrous results OF that famous
bolt are still too fresh in the minds
OF the Middle Western horse sense
fellows. and there is no Roosevelt to
situation.
"The temper Of the bloc is not one
that will be carried into the poIltlcay
arena when the time comes for the
party's contest for control Of the coun-
try.
looked is the method with which the
agricultural conference adopted the
resolution of commendation. As pre-
sentcd to the session, and as approved
BY the assembly Of farm interests. it
was sandwiched in between two cor,-
panion resolutions of praise for tho
Presidents clear visioncd' program and
the efforts Of the American delegation
to the armament conference. This is
an expression Of confidence in the
leadership at both ends OF PcnnsylYa
MIA Avenue.
1.-THE majority Of The bloc, certainly,
is confident of the Presidents sincere
desire to obtain definite accomplish
mcnt through the gathering of the ma
tons producers"
HurricaneW Gather DELAYS
VoudycL n,, Mo;Iou TIL,