The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-02
PLAY A new GAME
Tom MeNeaPs Supporters Cause
Political Comment.
They Rap Senator Capper But
Rally to His Editor.
IT is 4 BLUSHING CONDITION
The Senator Himself Is Facing
Another Campaign.
Farmer-Labor Vote Between
MeNeal and Fred Knapp.


Politicians and political observers
are finding a lot of things to think
about in the recent farmer-labor
meeting in Topeka. The organization
didn't solve campaign problems in the
least. 1t threw bunch of flowers al
Tom McNears campaign hopes Al
the same time it tied 4 lot OF USED
farm implements and blacksmith tools
to Senator Arthur Capper-McNeaI s
employcr-and adjourned.
There was quite a select COLLECTION
of men and women OF former alsh-
ments in the farm er-labor convention
Some of them displayed aLsusplclon
that the matter might be talked
about and wanted to do all the work
behind closed doors. 1t was the radl-
cal elements of the new and old po-
1itical organizations and most of the
men in the convention brought TO
town fine assortment of platform
p;snks which had been rejected by the
two parties
Most of the first choice sentiment
for governor seemed between McNeal
and Fred ". Knapp. 1t was McNeal
with his publicity advantage and his
sympathetic leaning to most OF the
unusual things the farmer-labor
forces approved that gave him the
advantage in the meeting. Then in
the same session the principal
speaker proceeded to scalp senator
Arthur Capper. who is not only NC
Meals employer, but who always
comes in with a farm vote that breaks
down the adding machines. 1t was
very apparent that none of the speak
ers were active mem bers in any of the
Capper pig or poultry clubs.
Just now, tho, the far reaching ana
forward looking reform organization
is left in an embarrassing position.
Most likely the farmer-labor speakers
didn't take time off to consider results
when they made their lusty speeches
TO-
Capper has failed to interfere in any
manner with McNesTs laudable am
bition to be governor. That situation
prevailed in spite of the fact that Sen
ator Capper himself will be candi-
date two years hence and that both
himself and McNeal are residents of
Topeka McNeaI was merely per-
mitted TO go his own free way ana he
was busily rounding up a following
thru some Of the Capper farm papers
when the farmer-labor crowd came to
town to bestOw added favor on some
one
Play Clever Game.
The radicals didn't give a straight
from the shoulder and out and out en-
dorsement. They propose to play too
clever a political game for that. They
will merely pass the names of their
favorites along at the right time and
go to bed with an abiding faith that
the dear pee-pul won't go wrong when
they get to the polls on primary day.
This may all be very soft for Nc
Neal It merely means he has an
nexed the support OF w. Z. Freeman,
president of the state federation Of
labor who has been Alexander Howat's
chief lieutenant in organized labor
ranks. 1t also gives to McNeal all the
fine cncoura cement which J. O. Stevic,
former manager and director of the
Nonpartisan League in Kansas, can
bring to him. Then-just to help
make il unanimous-Mrs. Caroline
Drennen is listed with the forces. Mrs
Drcnnen is discouraged in her efforts
TO straighten out tho Democrat party
and is looking for a brighter day by
helping the farmer-labor leaders.
But the Joy of McNesl is a one track
affair. The farmer-labor crowd is
picking on Senator Capper- Maybe the
junior Kansas senator will continue to
smile and display his unusual spirit
of humility But in ordinary seven
days in the week politics il isn't such
simple matter to take the harpoons
of your enemy and permit a co-worker
to receive all the cut flowers while
he boosts the cause of the opposition.
Senator Capper is quite fond of the
farm bloc. And it may not be an easy
matter-even for hirn-to be kindly to
people who find fault with IT.