The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-27
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
BY LUDWFLL DENNY
Copyright. scripps-Howard Newspap,

BY LUDWELL DENNY
Copyright. Scripps- Howard Newspapers,
.TXTASHINGTON, Oct. 27.-Nine
w days before election the long
expected Republican campaign sur
prise makes its appearance-in
somewhat tentative and experimental
form. tt turns out to be a farm
vote appeal by pledge of a special
session Of congress next March to
enact farm belief measures.
This surprise" is not yet exactly
official. At least Hoover has not
yet spoken, and his headquarters
spokesman says the idea is only in
the contemplated" stage.
But Borah has spoken. AS Borah
has been chosen by Hoover as his
leading campaigner, who is reputed
to have done more than all the rest
OF the stump orators to hold the
grain belt in the Republican line,
Borah without doubt is speaking for
the candidate. Indeed, he made his
special session of congress state
ment, Immediately after a long con-
ference with Hoover.
Why shouldn't the candidate
springs his own surprises? The only
apparent answer seems to be that
coming from Borah, it will help
among the restless farmers, without
drawing as much fire from the Dem
ocrats as if made by the candidate.
Presumably, if the test balloon
now sent up by Borah meets favor
able winds, Hoover himself will
make the pledge official when he
delivers his last and only remaining
speech at st. Louis next Friday.
II
IF the Democrats wait until after
4 Hoover's Friday night speech to
counter this new move, the cam
paign will be over. Even now Smith
and his major orators are in the
east, having completed their west
ern tours, and will have no oppor-
tunity to reply to this move on the
spot
Smiths long-distance reply from
the east is expected to be that Hoo
ver's farm legislation program is
inadequate and relatively unimpor-
tant.
Therefore, it is a matter of small
consequence whether Hoover pro-
poses to call special session or
not. While repeating his agree
ment with several of the Hoover
planks, such as better marketing
facilities and a farm board. Al is
expected to ridicule the Borah-
Hoover idea of higher tariff on ag-
ricultural products as farm relief
solution.
Hoover's statement through the
lips of Borah probably is deliber-
ately timed as a counter-move to
the detection Of Senator George w.
Norris Of Nebraska, leader of the
La Toilette progressives.
Norris swing to Smith, partly on
the issue Of farm relief, has been
the worst blow sustained by the Re-
publicans in the west since the
campaign began,
Norris support will be OF great
help to Smith in the already doubt
full states of Nebraska, Missouri,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana and
the DakotaS.
ON the third day after Norris
~ decision, the Republicans are
relieved that apparently none of
the other western progressive or
McNary- Haugen leaders is follow
ing the Nebraskan out of the fold.
Governor Adam McNIullen of Ne
braska, Norris friend, is standing
by Hoover largely on the strength
Of a confidential conversation in
which the candidate said he con-
templated a special session of con-
gress.
Senator Nye of North Dakota,
and Frazier Of South Dakota re-
main on the bandwagon.
Although Friday nights state
ment by Senator La Toilette of
Wisconsin variously is interpreted
by Democrats and Republicans, it
now seems clear he is not going to
campaign for Smith openly like his
friend Norris.
Finally the Republicans are
gratified by reports that the Cali
fornia progressive, Senator Hiram
johnson, is praising Hoover with
greater gusto than in some Of his
earlier speeches.
g q
MEANWHILE, Hoover Is working
4VA on his final ST. Louis speech,
which may incorporate the Borah
statement. That statement follows
in part:
UNLESS the short session takes up
the question and concludes satisfac-
tory legislation upon It, Thoroughly
am in favor of an extra session of
congress. I would like to see the
session called at once, and, first,
pass a tariff bill with a special view
to increasing duties upon farm prod
ucts; second, pass a marketing bill,
establishing a more satisfactory
marketing system so as to enable
the farmers to market their prod
ucts without being to the enormous
expense which is now necessarily
incurred; third, create a farm board
with ample authority and with an
ample revolving fund to assist the
farmer in marketing his surplus in
accordance with sound business
FNHN. l.