The Sauk Centre herald., 1924-10-16
WASHINGTON LETTER


vexatious days in Washington with
the struggle for the management OF
the nation at it's height. Everybody
is in a speculative mood but few are
willing to hazard cash bets on the
outcome of the election. Times and
manners have changed. and no amount
of prediction optimism can disguise
the fact that all partisans are deep
ly concerned over the action of the
electorate next month. Many now
conceive extravagant hopes of a two
and four year term in Washington,
knowing full we'll that public opin-
ion is capricious. Unlike the quad
rennial election of 1920, there are
no marked issues, which naturally
complicate the political and economic
situation. Campaign managers fear
lethargy and Indifference as the bal
loting day approaches.
Making a showing of their deter
mination to enforce rectitude in pub
lie affairs, the Congressional COM
mittee is prepared to investigate So
called "slush funds" Of the various
parties. Those close to the financial
authorities of the respective political
organizations are amused at these de-
velopments for it is generally known
that the cry for money finds the cup.
board bare. 1t is a known fact that
some of the leading contestants for
national political honors are paying
their own bills because of the short
age of campaign funds. The major
parties have found it difficult to raise
money by subscriptions because OF
the various interpretations given to
public contributions during election
by Senate committees.
The working forces of the nation
al committees have been reduced to
a minimum and economies never con-
sidered in other election years are
bing enforced by the three parties.
Those who help conduct campaigns
know that the condition of the par
ties exchequers will not permit cash
remuneration but hope that their
zeal will be rewarded in patronage
in the event their party is successful.
The poverty-stricken condition has
frustrated the sanguine expectations
of many party votaries whose in
terest is aroused at the tinkle OF
coins in the cash box.
There is a great hullabaloo about
the Constitution in various political
camps but somehow the reaction has
not been up to anticipated heights.
The present situation was described
many years ago by Lord Macauley
discussing the utilitarian theory of
when he said: "Constitu-
tions are in politics what paper
money is in commerce. They afford
great facilities and conveniences.
The disturbing factor for the cam
paign managers is the undemonstra-
tive attitude of the farmer. His at
titude does not seem to change by
the Establishment of words from Of
fice-seekers. It seems generally
agreed that there will be little or no
farm legislation at the next session
of Congress. The agitation for Fed
eral relief for the farmers, as out
lined lined in the McNary-Haugen
bill at the last session, has receded
with increased prosperity of the farm
ers.
The latest report of the Federal
Reserve Board for October states
thai "the increase in the current in
come cf the farmer arising from the
larger yield and better prices, has
been reflected in improved financial
and business conditions in agricul-
tural districts. I"
The total wheat crop in this coun-
try is about fifty million bushels larg-
er last year but the world crop is con-
siderablv smaller, and this reduced
production has been reflected in
higher prices. At the higher level Of
farm prices and with the total volume
Of crop production as much as last
year, the farmers income for 1924
is expected to be considerably above
that for recent years. The important
factor in increasing the net return
from wheat and cotton, the two prin-
cipal cash crops, has been the great
.er yields per. acre and consequently
smaller unit costs. of production. This
prosperity is reflected in otter lines,
principally business, which depends
upon the farmer for market.
Some Legislators believe that a
small group in Congress w;ll revive
the demand for an agricultural cor
poration. 1t is certain that the meas
ure must be drawn to overcome OBJ
jections to the McNary-H -Hangen bill
creating a $200, 600, 900 corporation
to buy and sell farm producers at ra-
TO prices. The belief is general that
the movement fer Federal relief