The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-15
BARRETT SOUNDS
 NOTE OF CAUTION ID MEN ON FARMS
Weeks Statement Advocating Return to Convention SyS- tenn Draws Warning Note
 From Union Head
By HUGH w. ROBERTS Washington Bureau. The Ags-Herald.
 800 Davidson Building

By hGGA w. hObEBNIS
 Washington Bureau, The Age-Heraid,
 500 Davidson Building.
 Washington, July 14.-(Special)- Farmers of the United States. bs- ware!" This cry emanates today from Charles S. Barrett of Georgia, presi- dent of the National Farmers union.
 It is based on the conclusion of MT. Barrett that campaign Is under way having for it's object the aholi- ton of the direct primary system MT. Barrett does not cite proof of his conclusion.
 Here is his statement: There is very decided campaign in progress the object of which is to deny you the right to participate in the selec- tion of men who direct the pubic affairs of this country. The plan to abolish the direct primaries and re- turn to the old convention system means the loss to farmers of the political power which after more than century of struggle they have acquired.
 Not Substnntiated
 Persistent effort of newspaper correspondents in Washington 10 find the basis for the statement of MT. Barrett that actually campaign lbi ln6 duOllltOI LII liic QlioAe pr mary is on, has failed. Prior to the statement of Mir Barrett, special dispatches appeared in tne Hearst chain of newspapers to the same general effect But in these dis patches, no proof was cited, and no public man was quoted as having de- clared in existence a campaign for 2 re-establishment of the old conven- ton system.
 As matter of fact, 1t is the con- cluson of best posted officials and members of Congress that there Is no such campaign underway. Certain "progressves" of the republican party, up for reelection or hopeful of supplanting "reactionaries" in of flee or planning to aid in the over throw of the Harding administration in 1924. do intimate that the fight Is on. The indications. however, are that they are constructing men of straw for the satisfaction of toppling them over again.
 Weeks Draws Attack
 Some weeks ago. the Secretary of War, John w. Weeks, in public ad- dress, advocated return to the con- vention system of electing candidates for office. This induced Senator Capper of Kansas, to demand that NIT w GthS IGllIt IIOiu lhG CdOlnSAs Senator Norris of Nebraska. likewise a progressive" referred to the fact that under the convention system Weeks was electeed to the Senate, and that as soon as he was forced to face the people. the peo- pie retired him. Later Judge Wii- liam s. Kenyon of Iowa, formerly a senator of the progressive" pef- suasion, who now. it is beleived In Washington, aspires to lead farm CTS party to the White House. is- sued a statement to the effect that a movement was under way to abolish the primary system.
 And then the President indicated his intention of doing nothing in the way of rebuking his Secretary of War. It was indirectly declared that the members of the cabinet were at liberty to express their own indi- yidual views and ideas. After brief . discussion in cloak rooms to the ef- feet that the President likewise ad- vocated a return to the convention system, the matter was dropped And then came the Barrett warning to the farmers of the country.
 Barrett Statement
 Continuing, Mir. Barrett says: 'ls is said that the primary system leads to the election of radicals to high office. If the people want to choose progressives that is the sole busi- ness of the people.
 But we are frankly told by those who want to abolish the direct pri- mary that the people are incapable of making intelligent selection. That is an insult to the voters and an af- front to popular government. To abolish the direct primary would be to take a backward step which could not be recovered In half a century. It would put the selfish and preda- tory interests in undisputed charge of the government. It would threaten with destruction the influence If agriculture in the national Congress, and would enfeeble if not destroy the progressive forces of the eoun- try.
 .I would extend the system rather than get rid of 1t. I would re- quire that the nominees for every of flee including the presidency, be selected by the voters of the several parties
 Many Favor Change
 -vWhile there is no evidence Of a movement on foot to abolish the al rect primary, there is no question but there are a great many public men who doubt that the direct prl- mary has elevated politics. has made politics less immoral, or resulted in higher intelligence holding exalted places.
 But these men are saying nothing Secretly they applauded when Weeks spoke. But they do not intend to emulate his example. As matter of fact, the direct primary is like pro- hibition. Despite silent kicks and protests and obvious III effects in- termingled with the good both are permanent fixtures in the law of the land.
 Even were both more vicious than they are. very few men of the mill lions desiring public office. would move against them-publicly-7it Is generally believed in Washington. At the same time, the local conclusion is that no harm could follow wer- the farmers to follow the advice of MT. Barrett and beware.