Evening star., 1924-08-31
Member of the Associated Press.
Farmers and Party Pledges.

Zen. Dawes, IN speech QellVereQ
Friday night at Lincoln. Nebr.. the
home of his rival for the Office of
Vice President, attacked the aSricul
tural problem in terms that cannot
try food for thought. He analysed
the causes of the agricultural de-
preston in this country and he cx.
pressed the belief that better times
are coming, partly due to the re-
habilitation of Europe. But, he said,
there is no assured ready.made rem.
edy for the ills Of the farmers and
the real remedy, if one be found, is
to be determined by careful, thorough
study.
During the past session of this
Congress il became evident that at
tempts to solve the farmers problems
were inspired by desire for political
advantage. Several solutions were
offered, widely differing in character.
Not one of them was assured of
success if adopted. There was con-
fusion of counsel. Opponents Of each
plan We're accused by its proponents
OF hostility to the real interests of
the farmer. In this situation il was
impossible to get anywhere.
Gen. Dawes said Friday night at
Lincoln that the worst calamity
that could happen TO American agri-
culture at this time is the adoption
IF an unworkable plan" The farm
ers must realize upon fair considera-
ton of the matter that their welfare
IS dependent upon the general well
fare. While they are subject to mis-
fortune and loss through the vagaries
Of weather, they are at the same time
subject to the general economic laws
that affect everybody. When they
lose their crops through flood or
frost or drought, others suffer with
them. When they prosper, through
heavy crops and good markets, others
prosper with them. Any scheme of
aid which is not founded upon the
principle OF general equity is false
and is sure to work to the undoing
"f the farmer in the long run. and
perhaps the short run, by it's unfa.
vorable action upon others.
In one other respect Gen. Dawes
commanded serious attention OF his
agricultural audience when he noted
that the most popular means of bid
ding for votes is by promising the
achievement of all that the voters
most earnestly desire. In the name
Of his party he made but one promise
and that is that by utilizing the best
minds and those by training best
fitted for the task, every energy will
be bent to the study of the problem
OF agriculture Ito the end that
through legislation or other means
its solution may be accomplished.
This is campaigning on an honest
basis. The farmers of this country
deserve to be dealt with honestly by
candidates and their advocates. The
worst service that could be rendered
and prosperity when there can be no
assurance beyond that of the most
sympathetic and thorough considera.
tion that can be given to their prob
lem by those in legislative and execu.
tive authority. If the farmers believe
the pledge Of the Republican party
that it will energetically and sin.
cerely seek the right solution and
put it in force when found, they will
vote, probably, the Republican ticket
in November. If they do not believe
that promise. but believe the more
specific pledges Of the Democrats or
of the Progressives. they will not vote
that ticket. Gen. Dawes has at least
simplified the question by stating it
in its plainest terms.