Pueblo chieftain., 1922-01-22
1Rv MARK sr-LLINAND

personnel and its mecha n1sm ninuteiy
and critically, you can approach 1t
with the skepticism born of recollec-
ton of similar movements In the past,
You can talk with the individuals and
the interests who deplore 1t and who
argue that it should be eliminated;
but the end of any such survey OF
the farm bloc is that 1t is without any
doubt the largest single interest IN
American politics, that 1t is likely to
continue to have the balance of power
for a considerable period. and that 1t
Is more likely to grow than to dinin-
ish.
Tho older political leaders IN both
parties who deplore the farm bloc and
who predict its early passing. are mis-
led by one of the most frequent causes
of self deceit, namely, by the length
of their own memories. 1t is true
experiences, but II Is also true that un-
less there is careful examination OF
the analogy between the past ana the
present, experiences can readily throw
you off tho track.
Some OF these older political leaders
have memories that 80 as far back as
the Patrons OF Husbandry; the farmers
alliance; the agricultural wheel. which
started in Prairie county, Arkansas
and spread to power in eight south
western states: the Ancient Order OF
Cleaners, and half a dozen similar or
ganizatIons. Remembering how all OF
these arose. had their day of power,
and declined. the skeptical older poll
'icians say that in due course, the
farm bloc will be as one with these.
1t is undenIably true that the organ
ized farmer In American politics Is
nothing new Politicians and others
with any considerable political expen-
ence remember Newt Gresham's Farm
ers Union, started in Rains County,
Texas of which a contemporary his
torian. whose narrative was auanned
by personal enthusiasm, said. 'an Al
latin army of million men with a
deadly concentration Of purpose that
would brook no denial. came into al
most instant aNistence-
II was of another organization. the
Farmers Alliance. in the elections OF
1890. that a historian OF the time said,
after these elections. forty members
nf the new congress were pledged to
support the demands OF the farmers al
lance. and its leaders were said 10
have selected beforehand the place
which they wished this group 10 occupy
"on either side OF the center aisle In
tho House OF Representatives where
they expected to hold the balance of
power. and to take the place OF the
'c<hter' in the French Assembly"
" that quotation rom a historian
Of 1890 reads much like n present day
newspaper account Of tho farm bloc.
.ttll moro does n quotation from an
account written in 1892. OF "Sockless
Jerry simpsons populists. The author
of this account. by the way. was Nlr.
Hamlin Garland. His words OF 1892
sound n little like something Senator
Tom Heflin. Of Alabama might Use to-
Say about the present farm bloc.
''Thc alliance wedge said Mr.. Car
land, "is a sort OF breakwater between
.he two old parties. Great forces are
moving. The House OF Representatives
IA a smoldering volcano. The Rcprbi-
cans are apprehens!ye. almost desper-
ate. Place holders are beginning 10
trcmble; but IN the midst OF It all. tho
men who are advocating right and
Justice instead Of policy sit ready for
.he discussion and eager FOR the strug
gle"
Now Il - quite true that In the his
tory OF other farm movements now
rast and forgotten. there Is comfort
for those who either wish or argue
passing phase OF American policies.
And n anyone wants TO argue that the
present farm bloc is going TO last long
or and so farther than tho Farmers
Alliance. or the patrons OF husbsndry.
II is necessary TO find fundamental
points OF difference. which favor the
= firm bloc. Before pointing out these
differences. should explain that
have been using the rerm farm bloc"
IN a loose sense. Farm Bloc Is the
term applied to the twenty or thirty
senator's. and the seventy or eighty
members of congress. who are really
the political expression within con-
erc.s of a different ana much larger
thing. The organized force behind the
arm bloc is the American farm bureau
federation. The farm bloc in congress
II really tho political agent OF the
American farm bureau federation The
relation between the two IL in dispu-
tntf
American farm bureau federation that
FIRST supplied stimulus aud leadership
20 the farm bloc in congress: The early
meetings of the farm bloc group were
heid not in the capitol or tho halls OF
congress- but in the Washington head
quarters Of the American farm bureau
federation. I quote from recently fs-
sued history OF the farm bureau fed
eration written by one OF its officials.
Mr.. orville Merton kile: AS n result
Of n scries OF helpful conferences Mt
farm bureau legislative hcaduuartcrs.
several senators. including Kenyon. or
iowa. Republican; Smith of North Car
oIina. Democrat. and Capper. of Kan
sas Republican. took the lead and got
together a band OF twenty-five sena-
tors from tho south and west pledged
70 stand for agricultural lcgfsla ton re-
esrdiess of party lines
In n political sense. therefore. the
American farm bureau federation and
tho farm bloc arc one. Aud in cons'd-
cring the points Of difference. between
this new farm movement and those OF
the past. which seem TO give the pros-
ont farm bloc a promise of greater po-
l'tical longevity. the most important is
the difference In method aud rnechsn-
ism OF organization between this farm
bureau movement and the other move
ments OF the past.
An examination OF the American
farm bureau federation reveals a re
markablv stable aud enduring form Of
organization. Its base rests In an al
most direct sense so far az its orivin
Is concerned at least. on the United
States government itself About ten
years ago. the Department of aRricul-
sure. under Secretary wilson. made the