Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-06

sist it is not, and have so told the
President. It's opponents insist that
IL is price fixing. But the approval
of the bill by the President would be
construed as an effort to appease the
farm vote OF the West. The 1850
100000 revolving fund, set up by the
Government under the terms OF the
bill will be called the price Of pleasing
the farmer. The activities OF former
Gov. Frank o. Lowden OK Illinois and
Vice President Dawes In favor OF the
proposed legislation, will be credited
with having forced the hand OF the
President
There is a tempting side, however,
to the matter. 1t may be argued that
the McNary bill has been materially
changed, and SO made acceptable to
the President. Furthermore, the
President would be in a position to
say that he had waited for three years
upon Congress to enact farm relief
legislation. and that no substitute for
the McNary. T1augen bill had been
forthcoming. It was that or no legis-
lation. And the farmers had siren
uously appealed for this bill.
Would Remove Farm Issue.
If the McNary- Haugen bill becomes
q
gress it removes the farm issue as
such from the campaign of 1928. A
new farm issue could not spring up
in time to affect the preconvention
campaign or the campaign for the
general election. So extensive is the
machinery of the law and so certain
is it that it would be tested in the
courts as to it's constitutionality, that
it is hardly possible that operations
under the bill could go beyond the
first stages next year. Even IL it did
not work, President Coolidge could
pass the buck to the farm leaders
and Senators and Representatives
who insisted upon it's enactment into
law. Under it's provisions, moreover,
are great possibilities for q smooth
running farm machine.
One feature Of the situation may
help to block the passage of the BILL
Neither the Democrats nor the sup
porters of Lowden for President are
anxious to see the farm question re-
moved from the 1928 campaign. The
Democrats see the strife between the
Republicans of the West and the Re-
publicans of the East over farm
legislation as their own best bet. If
the farm problem is shelved, even
temporarily. Mr.. Lowden's heom for
President collapses.
Offsetting the patent political ad-
Vantages to be had in thus ending
the farm issue for the time being are
some liabilities. Three members of
the Presidents cabinet have been
outspoken in their disapproval of the
McNary- Haugen farm relief plan.
They are Secretary Mellon of the
Treasury, Secretary Hoover of the
Department of Commerce and Secre-
n ftdf 81 he
Agriculture. Where are these cab
met officers left. IL the President signs
the bill?
Other Political Factors.
The President must consider also
how much his hold on the conserva-
tive and industrial East will be shaken
If the bill becomes law with his sigma.
ture. There are shrewd politicians
here who believe that he would gain
more by vetoing the bill, on the
ground that the vote OF the big
States of the East will settle the
nomination in conjunction with the
vote OF the South and that the West
cannot possibly name a presidential
candidate alone.
If the President should veto the
bill he will become at once the target
of the supporters of the McNary.
Haugen bill. They will shoot at him
directly. The corn belt would be on
his trail. The personal issue would
be raised ..-.-...--
The very silence of the White House
regarding the McNary bill is indica,
tive of the seriousness with which the
decision the President may have Ia
make is regarded there.
IL the farmers OF the West and the
South accept and welcome the Nc
NaryHaugen bill they will have com
mitted themselves to the theory OF
protection. But as their leaders say
they want to be on an equality with
the manufacturer when II comes tC
selling in q protected market