Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-28
: INITIAL TALK
Continued from Pane One)

and what that action should be. It's
endeavor has been merely to put US
into international organizations OF
which the ultimate. action Is IN
known. or at least, undeclared."
In taking up the bonus and taxa
ton questions, Senator johnson said:
"The responsible heads OF the
dominant political party have for
some years pledged themselves and
their party to the soldiers adjusted
compensation act. You may say 70
is unwise. 1t is emotionaIly and
morally impelling and long ago Il
was decreed by those in command
OF the government to be Just. It
constitutes now in reality o prom
Use. a solemn pledge and we must
keep faith. But brief period ago
1t was insisted we should delay, not
deny 1t because the money was not
forthcoming. The passage of the
act, you may assert to be financially
bad. but our pretexts and delays.
our shiftings and evasions are NOR
ally worse. But we can, reduce taxes
and we will. I hope, reduce them"
Senator johnson early in his ad-
dress said that what I say tonight
Is in no sense a political platform. :"
when agriculture languishes the
nation is Ill. 1t is obvious that the
farmer has been compelled to sell
for less than the cost OF production.
Some would have the American tax
payer generally make up to the
farmer that which is unjust1y taken
from him, first, by the railroad COM
panies, and secondly, by the middle
men. i do not wish to embark the
government on this kind of enter
prise. The initial step il the relief
or the farmer in lower freight rates.
1 would not be unjust to the trans
portation companies but that they
could reduce the rates upon farm
products / have little doubt: and IL
the interstate commerce commission
were to function with the CELEBRITY
and certainty we desire. rates more
IN consonance with present condi.
tons could be accorded"
Senator johnson also advocated
cooperative marketing as q help to
the farmers.
81 would not take the government
either into price fixing or into the
gram business" he said, ''but I
would nave the government edu-.
cate and aid into the forming OF
cooperative associations and Just ex.
actiy as the government has aided
0tner activities 1t could and would,
assume, aid In the same fashion
the farmers in their cooperatiya.
equipment" :
In conclusion Senator johnson,
ton.
There are alternative policies
Inc one. Intervention in Europe to
save Europe, and bring peace and
oruer-ap Intervention dictated nv
conference in which we are but ona
OF many. The other policy IL onr
own, frankly and openly avowed. do.
ing justice to all, wrong to none.
neither asking or receiving benef,ts
OF profits. retaining our independ.
ence OF action, uninfluenced by se :.
cret conference, undirected by q, ma !.
Jority OF foreigners; In short. I an
American policy" -
Governor Len Small Of Illinois was 4!
guest at the meeting but did not, speak.
.ne toastmaster explaining that owing
tne .ateness OF the hour and the
broadcast his address by radio. which
was waiting, there would be no time.
Tor other speakers. ~
FRANK II. Hitchcock. whom SENATOR
Johnson announced yesterday would h.
ms general campaign manager. MA =,
present, as was George Brennan. Den.
ccrat Leader in Illinois.
senator johnson was welcomed n,
Denaif OF Chicago by Francis X. Bush.
saWyer and local campaign manager
LOT Wliilam Q. McAdoo. Senators VIII,
naM %. mckinley and M. b. Hancock
VI tliinois. who were on the program,
were summoned to Washington ana
could not be present. -.
- s = ltre.