Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-09-04

/ suppose, has had so broad and varied expert
ence in affairs at Washington as former Sem
ator Hoke Smith. AS secretary OF the inte-
rior in the cabinet OF President C1eve-
land he learned the business of the
capitol from the executive point of
view; and as United States Senator
| during most memorable ten years of Ameri-
can history, he learned it in the legislative
! field. More recently, as a leading member
Of the Washington bar, handling cases Of ma
tional Importance, he has observed the situa-
ton from still another angle, and most en-
tightening one. He knows the toll the sac
rifce, the resourcefulness, the determination
and the tact which are essential to success
In the Senate; and knowing, he declares:
Everything considered, his energy, his COM
mIttee assignments In the Senate, and the in
fluence he is capable OF welding conyinces
me that Senator Harris should be retained"
A terse tribute this. but packed with sig
nifcance!
And now consider the meaningful words
Of a Georgian whose life labor is to serve
the interests of the people the soil and
who for eighteen years has been the unani-
mousIy chosen president Of the American
Farmers Union. Knowing we'll whereof he
speaks, Charles S. Barrett asserts: Senator
Harris has voted right and has worked very
hard. He should win, and I hope he will
win. The farmers greatly appreciate his
work In their behalf"
How deserved this testimonial is, glance
at Senator Harris record will reveal. Note,
to begin with, that he is the only member
from the Southeast on the subcommittee of
eight members ~each that have charge of
appropriations for agriculture, good roads,
rural routes, postoffices, and related inter-
ests in which the people of Georgia are large
Iy concerned; and also that he is next to the
ranking Democrat on the all-important ap-
propriations committee. Ut may be observed
in passing that an Independent Washington
paper predicts that he may become chairman
in the event of Democratic majority in the
new Senate, inasmuch as Senator Overman,
now the ranking Democrat on the committee,
Is understood to prefer the Craftsmanship of
the judiciary committee.) Thanks to Sen
ator Harris insight and aertness and to the
regard In which his opinion is held we have
had liberal appropriations for various en-
deavors looking to the control and ultimate
extinction OF the cotton boil weevil, appro-
priations which well may result in the saw
ing of hundreds of millions of dollars to
Georgia agriculture We have had, moreover,
large allotments 'of government funds for
promotion of tobacco growing; for expert
study of divers problems having to do with
the peach, the pecan, and the cane syrup in
dustries; for free market news service to
farmers; and for a new branch office, in
Atlanta, Of the foreign and domestic COM
merce bureau, as a means of finding foreign
markets for the regions agricultural and in
dustrial products These and sundry other
measures which Senator Harris introduced
of his usefulness. Nor should it be forgotten
that he succeeded in putting stop to unjust
determinations by meat-packers' combine
against Georsia-raised hogs; nor that he sue
cessfulIy interviewed to prevent the govern
ments fixing price for cotton, which West
ern Senators proposed should be as low as
fifteen cents, In a period in which cotton
eventually sold for as much as forty-fYe
cents These are but glimpses into his record
Of service to Georgia's basic industry and to
the people behind it; but they show incon-
testably that he has been watchful, that he
has been active, that he has been loyal
In the realm of general legislation Senator
Harris faces forward. His is that true pro-
gressiveness of which John W. Davis has
said, "Au that goes to make better and hap
pier and freer men and women is progress;
all else is reaction" During these last five
and half years as Georgias Senator he has
given himself with Wilderness OF heart and
singleness Of mind to the upbuiding of that
which makes for human betterment, human
happiness, and human freedom. Diligently
and without fanfare of trumpets, he has gone
about the business of his people, counting no
matter too small for his attention If it
touched Georgans interests, and no labor
too arduous If it helped his commonwealth