The New York herald., 1922-01-26
Opponents Foresee Break
ing Up of Groups Under
Partisan Fire.
LOOK TO KENYON TO LEAD
He Disclaims Intention Now Of
Plotting New Political
Enterprise.
By LOUIS sEIBoLD.
Special Dispatch TO THE NEW York HEsAs.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington ID. c., Jan. c5


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Jan. rs.
The leaders of the two major poIiti-
cal parties have not decided whether
the new agricultural movement liz
merely passing phase of political
emotionalism or definite gesture that
portends a revolution.
The defenders of the agriculture,
project that momentarily points to
combination of agrarisn interests as
sert that something more than ordi.
nary partisan leadership will be neces-
sary to head Off the creation of new
party. The opponents of it predict the
disintegIation of the agricultural
groups even while they admit the pos
sibility of rural dictation for either or
both parties.
The former declare nothing can stop
the expanding force of the agricultural
movement; the latter contend that the
new enterprise can and finally will be
controlled by the old political organiza-
tions. One set of opinions is as good as
another because the agricultural
movement has not yet assumed defi-
mite political form.
Reason for Victories.
Up to date the personal fear of the
politicians in and out Of Congress has
provoked only confusion and has not
established any actual line of demarca-
ton between the economic and political
phases of the agricultural demonstrs-
ton. Victories in Congress have been
won by the agricultural bloc largely
because of the absence OF leadership
in either or both parties, but they have
been sufficiently impressive TO sup
press partisan opposition.
The professional promoters of the
agricultural movement. who are not
losing any time in taking advantage
of the opportunity, assert that one or
two things is going to happen. The
first is that the Harding Administra-
ton will modify its policies TO conform
to the demands Of the more conserva-
tive elements OF the agricultural move
ment This automatically would conf
pei the abandonment of some tradi-
tionaI doctrines Of the regular organ
ization.
The alternative of this condition OF
affairs is the Inauguration OF an In
dependent movement operating on
program calculated 10 attract followers
from both The professional leaders
OF the dirt farmer bloc are ccntering
their fire on the regular organization
with prospective benefits OF a per-
sonal sort in mind. Tney realize they
have succeeded in soaring the Ad-
IL. q Inning
iori,v members of the two Houses OF
Congress and most OF the outside or
state ieaders Recent developments
have proved ii 20 their complete salts
faction.
Cenuipe Insurgcnt Movement.
Thev contend tnat tho demonstra-
ton now being staged by "tillers OF
the soil' is a genuine political insur-
gent movement of greater menace TO
both parties than the upheaval IN tho
Republican party twelve years ago.
which paved the way for the propaga-
ton of progressive principles. They
say that the CHEZ point of difference
between the revolt of 1909 and the
bloc movement of to-day Is that tho
former was fought on fun bellies
and was more political than economic,
whereas "the rebellion OF the farmers
to-day is provoked by lean bellies
Hence they feel Justified In predicting
even greater success than was achieved
in tho twelve year old insurgent move
ment OF bygone days.
The timidity OF the leaders of the
regular parties i'm opposing the amoi-
tions ventures of the radical agricul-
tu-ai groups that demand unprece-
llented privileges and protection at inc
hands OF the Government has done
much to encourage this state OF farmer
mind.
Recent debates in Congress and ex-
r-ession of opinions In the agricul-
tural conference convened by Presi-
dent Harding have shown unmistak-
ably that the farmers purpose to sand
bag the two political parties into Civ
ing TO them what they want There
IL no agreement between the conserva-
lives and radicals represented IN the
farmers conference as to the exact
scope and character of the concessions
10 be demanded.
The radical group. which appears TO
be In the minority. supports the most
cxtravagant claims closely veering on
pronounced paternalism and socialism.
The more conservative bloc wants to
define n general key program that
will insure vitaily needed relief to
agricultural conditions through the
application OF reasonably liberal poll
cies based on sanity and common
scnse.
The radicals assert and the con.