The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-14
ALL CANDIDATES TOCENTER FIGHT ON FARM VOTE LaFollette Has Edge In Western Area Where
 Boom Started e. o. P. TO EXPLAIN
 LACK OF RELIEF Alibi To Be Lack Of Agreement In Last Congress
By THOMAS L. STOKES, tBy Leased Wire to Age-Herald.)


 WASHINGT 0N, July 13.-The farmer, who has been sending up roars of dissatisfaction during the last several months, has become the keystone arch of plans for the three presidential campaigns which are now assuming definite shape.
 The farmer has complained him. self into becoming the key of the situation, it is becoming apparent here as the three movements are getting up steam. Campaign man. agers, accordingly, are turning their attention very closely toward that block of agricultural states in the middle and northwest, realizing that final success may lie in just which way the vote there goes.
 In A Different Way
 Each of the two great parties, and the independent movement headed by Senator LaFollette, will approach the situation in different way, because of the circumstances in each case. Here's the way the land lies as regards each ::
 The independent movement headed by LaFollette grew largely out of agricul- tural discontent, and therefore his ma ior campaign will be directed along that line, though his managers, of course, are planning to fight vigorously in every state. LaFollette, also, will cap- italize labor dissatisfaction, which is hooked up with that of the farmers
 The democrats are exceedingly anxious to capture those states The west meant victory in 1916, alone with the solid south. They realize that it may mean victory again this year. ] The republicans are on the defensive in those sections, because they have rGlief which the formers complain has their defense, 1t is learHed, will be along l.these lines:
 The AIibl x Their campaigners will point to the establishment by the republican admin istration of the intermediate credit banks, and of the continuation of aid through the war finance corporation for agricultural and livestock purposes. In answer to the attacks which will be made on the failure of the last con- gress to provide any farm relief, they will contend that farm leaders in both House and Senate were unable to agree on any form of relief, and that two agricultural measures were killed, the Norbeck- k-Burtness bill in the Sem ate and the McNary-Haugen bill in the House, and that all efforts on a com promise measure failed.
 But the republican campaign in those states is not going to be based primarily on answering the attacks of the democrats and progressives. It is going to be forwarded through the or- ganizatiOn which the republicans, as those in power, have built up. Word has gone out already to tighten the lines, and a feyerish campaign is al- ready getting under way.
 Both progressives and democrats are on the offensive, and have likewise, be- gun active work. Theirs will beea cam paign of attack and denunciation.
 Has The Edge
 Of these two, the LaFollette move ment has the edge. It grew up there, it centers there and is attracting wide support there. And it has no apolo- gies to offer.
 l The demOcfaLS nave SngnC nanul. cap in the person of their candidate, John W. Davis, because of his for mer Wall street connections. They offset this by the selection of Charles w. Bryan of Nebraska, as the West Virginians running-mate. Bryan stands high in his state and throughout the agricultural region. He will conduct the fireworks in his home section. Whether he will be able to offset the Wall street tinge of Davis is a point on which there is much disagreement But the democrats will wage vigorous war fare, realizing the stake.
 The progressives will throw their heaviest artillery into this field, and large part of the campaign fund which they will collect from the rank and file under plans just formulated in a conference here. They have every thing to gain. If they capture this block of states, they probably can force the election into the house. Most of their leaders confidently predict this result.