The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-09
Forum Of The People
How Iowa Feels About It

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Enclosed herewith you will find clipping taken from the column called Current Com ment'' in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Evening Gazette. This column is supposed to be written by the editor. This paper is con- trolled by the old irreconciliable gang of Re- publicans. I am a Republican myself and always have been, but most emphatically do not believe in the sort of Republicanism which this paper represents; absolutely con- demns everything which the farmer or other laboring men attempt to do to help them selves, such as the Farmers Union. But they are very friendly towards the Farm Blu reau because that is a so-called farm organi- zation controlled by the Chicago Board of Trade, United States Chamber of Commerce, etc. The same sort of big biz that controls the Gazette
 They also condemn and say everything mean they can find about any man who dares to represent the common people and that will not be bought out by their gang.
 As you can find by looking at the record of the 1922 vote in our state that Brookhart won the election by 100000 majority. The old guard put up frantic effort to keep him out at any cost at the time of our pri- mary election, but failed. Then the old guard held state convention. still trying to hold him down, but he was the choice of the people. Iowa is known as a Republican state, but lots of Democrats voted for him. AS you doubtless know, these conventions are usually not representative of the people, but just few lawyers and special interests rep resentatives. Well, it was just such bunch that controlled our state Republican conven- tion last February.
 To any one that did not know the paper would think it took lots of gall to say that L m A us that know who controls the Gazette are not surprised at them saying anything. They know as we'll as I do that he carried the state by 160,O00 majority, and they are des- perately afraid he will be reelected. And the only thing that will keep him from being elected again this fall will be the possibility of too many voters thinking that of course he will be elected and think it not necessary for them to go and vote. In 1922 Brookhart received 39S,151 votes at our general cleo tion. And still they say that he Represents himself only" I would not know where to go among all my acquaintances to find one person that is not now just as enthusiastically in favor of him as he was two years ago.
 The few verses which I am sending were written just before the 1922 election and read at a state convention of farmers only, 1875 to 1900 farmers present. I was one of them. W&D read. It refers to Brookhsrt:
 If some night I'm rudely wakened
 As I rest from laber hard,
 By 2 pack of cur-dogs fighting
 For bone in my back yard. And in wrath l grab my shotgun,
 Turn it loose out towards the pack. I can tell if hit something
 By the answer that comes back, My neighbor needn't tell me
 That his good dog wasn't there,
 If over by his kennel
 Canine yelpings fill the air.
 If above his loud denials
 Come persistent yaps and yowls. I know it's not for nothing;
 The hit dog always howls
 So when our candidate for senate
 To constituents is true.
 Firing shots in verbal volleys
 At who'd plunder me and you
 If from up towards Cedar Rapids
 Come persistent yaps and yowls
 It's for the same old reason
 The hit dog always howls.
 The composer of these verses had the Ce- dar Rapids Evening Gazetten in mind when he referred to up towards Cedar Rapids. As to the reference made to Coolidge l ex- pect he will win out, but if LaFollette runs he will have a wonderful lot of assistance from Iowa
 ROBERT F. .COPPOCK, Proprietor Quakerknoll Guernsey Farm, West Branch. Iowa. April 4, 1924.
 The clipping referred to in the foregoing letter was in reply to The Age -Herald's edi- torial expression of surprise that Iowa could indorse two men of such opposite and even conflicting characteristics as Messrs, Cool idge and Brookhart-Ed. Age Herald.
 Public Education Needs More Funds To the Editor of The Age-Herald
 Your editorial on "Education in Alabama" is most timely. and a strong presentation of the need of greater taxation for educational purposes in the state. The voters must first be educated as to the need of education. and their willingness to spend a little money in giving proper facilities for getting the educa tion. The newspapers of the state have a wonderful opportunity in helping to mould public opinion and educate the voters hope that you will follow this editorial with others, and that every paper in the state will follow your example
 WILLARD J. WHEELER,
 President Wheeler Business College
 Birmingham Ala,, Aprif7, 1924