The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-06
APOSTLE OF THE DIsGRUNTLED


 APOSTLE OF THE DISGRUNTLED
 Senator LaFollette has accepted the Invitation to run for the presidency on the third-party ticket. The unique part of it is that the invitation was undoubt- edly extended to MT. .LaFollette by MT. LaFollette. Everybody has known from the beginning that it is LaFollette's party, so why shouldn't he invite him self? His statement repudiates the Re- publican party, accuses the Democratic party of equal unfitness, and rejects the, communists. It is indeed difficult to find out just whom LaFollette would ap- prove. Doubtless those who leave all other standards and flock to him will be hailed as the loyal elect; though why those who are disloyal to old allegiances should be acclaimed as loyal to new allegiance involves logic somewhat diff cult for the average mind to follow. Loy- atty rooted in disloyalty is a doubtful product.
 Although equally accusing the two major parties of having failed to carry out their platforms and as being under the control of wealth, it turns out that MT. LaFollette's real grievance is not that the parties failed to carry out their own platforms, but that they failed to carry out the LaFollette program of farm relief. This program consisted mainly in a raid on the federal treasury in the guise of loans, and in fixing the market price of farm products. It means noth- ing to MT. LaFollette that loan which is unsound for financial institution to make is unsound for the government to make. It means nothing to MT. LaFol- lette that several hundred grain banks which over-extended credit to farmers went into dissolution within the past two years. It means nothing to MT. LaFol- lette that those farmers who have joined efficient co-operatives are enjoying bet ter circumstances. It means nothing to MT. LaFollette that the reason why farm prices are not controlled by the farmer is because the farmer has made no se- rious, sound and organized effort to con- trol them. That is, not until recently.
 The whole trouble with the co-opera tives, from MT. LaFollette's viewpoint, is that the credit for their achievements go to the farmers themselves, whereas, by MT. LaFollette's. program, the credit would go to him and his political asso- ciates. It is greatly feared, however, that the farmers are awake to the fact that laws do not put money in their pockets and that the co-operatives do put money in their pockets The Ian guage that money talks is more convinc- ing than the language the politicians talk.
 The senator from Wisconsin also makes the time-honored appeal to class prejudice, and seeks to incite his fol- lowing against big business, which he ac- cuses of running the government. It is no doubt true that the influence of great wealth has been sinister and over-great, particularly in the present administra- ton, but the recourse lies not in putting into power the avowed enemies of big business, whether it is legitimate or not legitimate. The recourse lies in apply ing to the situation those measures of restraint which permit the fullest exer- else of lawful opportunity while prevent ing the encroachment of big business upon the functions of government.
 That result is not the consequence of laws, but of the administration of our affairs by men of capacity, integrity, and freedom from susceptibility to the influence of those who seek self-aggran- dizement at the expense of the public welfare. True progressiveness consists not in platforms nor in codes, but in the enlightenment and vision of those who administer public affairs. It is not believed that MT. LaFollette has dis played either of these qualities to one half the degree he has displayed the at- tributes of ambition, hatred and ire sponsibilty of judgment. If MT. LaFol- lette were real leader of men, capable, sagacious and brave, he would be leader within his own party, instead of seeking to destroy it from both without and within. He would disrupt both par ties and altogether destroy our institu- tions. He is Samson who, blinded by rage and disappointment, would rather perish in the ruins of the temple of gov ernment than live and see it's ministra- tions performed by others.
 FOR ALABAMA COLLEGE
 Next Wednesday occurs the formal