Evening star., 1928-08-04
The Fee Plan Goes Overheard.

The equalization fee. which caused
President Coolidge to veto the McNary-
Esugen farm bill, has been turned down
bv Gov. Smith The fee plan, accord
;nG to the McNary- -Haugenites during
the last session OF Congress. was the
heart and soul of the farm-aid plan for
which thcy stood. Among those who
were insist Mt upon the equalization fee
or nothing was George N. Peek, chair
man Of the so-called Corn Belt Com
nlittee Of Twenty-Five. A few hours be-
fore CToy. Smith SO coldly turned his
shoulder on the equalization fee, Mr.
Peek. following a conference with Smith,
oeclara; his allegiance to the Demo-
cratic national ticket and promised 10
work for the election of Smith. Prob
ably Gov. Smith was able to convince
NJ. Peek that support of the aqualiza-
ton fee was not. after all. so essential
In "a Democratic candidate SIS IN
Republican candidate.
The governor has backed away from
ths equalization fee, which his cam
psign manager. RaSkob. has declared to
be economically sound. If Mr.. RaSkob
had any idea of handing the farmers
who support the equalization fee plan
encouragement and promises which
might after all. not be fulfilled, Gov.
Smith has vetoed the plan. He must be
given credit for a straightforward denial
that the equalization fee will do.
But Gov. Smith has declared himself
IN favor of having the surplus crop
problem handled and the expense dis
tribu,ed among the producers, This is
Just what the equalization fee plan con-
templated 1t is the only plan SO far
evolved to do just that thing. Gov.
Smith frankly says he has no other
plan. But he adds, optimistically, that
he viii work one out. Yet Gov. Lowden
Of Illinois. after years of study, ex-
claimed recently in Kansas City, II
any one can produce another plan just
as good, for Gods sake, let him Go it.
and I viii support it," Surely, Gov
Smith sounds bit overhopeful in his
declaration that the problem shall be
solved.
IL did not appear to be on the cards
that Gov. Smith would come ous for the
equalization fee, even after Raskob, his
campaign manager. had practically
given his assent to the fee plan. The
Ncw York governor Is sound. politically,
whatever may be his judgment in re-
sard 70 the larm problem and prohibi-
tion. A declaration for the equalization
fee would have lost him strength in the
industrial East and might have gained
him little or no strength in the West.
The Democrats are full of hope. it
appears, when it Genes TO handling the
tao problems in which more OF the
American yoCers are interested today
than any other--tne farm problem and
the liquor problem. Gov, Smith has
turned his back on the equalization fee
In the one instance and, in his telegram
20 the Houston convention, on the sa-
Icon in the other. He has expressed
his confidence that If the Democratic
party Is placed in power, with himself
at the head of the Government, he viii
be able 10 solve the surplus crop prob
lem and give the people alcoholic beV-
eragcs in those States 1Asch are wet, =
although he has no specific plans TO
bring about either OF these enoS. II
there is TO be no saloon, perhaps the
governor has in mind the dispensary
plan now in Use IN parts Of Canada and
twenty-five years ago IN South Caro-
lima. III South Carolina The dispensary
plan corrupted government and vas
nnally cast out. II may yet 90 the same
III Canada.
The voters are waiting tor something
n7Ure definite from Gov. Smith Than
mere promises 70 accomplish. They are
from Missouri" They would like. 100,
a definite statement from the Repub-
Ican nominee for President regarding
agriculture and liquor Both still have
opportunities 70 present their ideas and
concrcte plans in their speeches Of
accepts nce August ! ] and August y.