The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-16

| YORK state ana probable Demo- 70
cratic candidate will be harder to
beat than any opponent since
Woodrow Wilson at the height of
his power.
Hoover, however, stands a better
chance of preventing the Demo-
Gratis from capturing Washington
than any other Of the avowed o.
dark horse aspirants who might
have been nominated by the, Kan
ssa City convention. it is now gem
orally agreed.
THIS widespread belief is rather
l. surprising-at least to the pub
lic-in view of the statements of
many western and some eastern
politicians before the convention
that Hoover could not be elected be-
cause Of the farm revolt" and
hostility of New York financial in
terests.
That "defeatist' propaganda by
Hoover's competitors for the nom
nation did not differ in kind,
however, but only in intensity from
the customary convention knit
ing of candidates by each other.
Most of this anti-Hoover pro-
paganda was so extreme that it was
discounted-as the convention re-
suits showed-by the overwhelming
majority. Therefore it will tend to
be forgotten and ignored before the
voters go to the polls in November.
But not all of the defeatist pro-
paganda can be undone so easily.
Particularly the shrill cries of the
hostile political bosses day in and
day out that Hoover is I'M American
and pro- British, probably will echo
across the intervening months until
election.
This kind of charge which is
ignored as dirty" and unjust by
informed persons, fingers in the ears
of certain anti-British communities
and classes, and will doubtless con-
tinue to plague the Republican
politicians who now will try to
silence the slur.
DART of the defeatist propaganda
l. against Hoover, however, was
and is sincere.
Opposition Of the farm sections
to the so-called Coolidge Hoover
agricultural policy is genuine and
widespread. Just as there was an
over-emphasis of this fact as q po-
litical factor by Hoover's enemies be-
fore the convention, there is now
apt to be an under estimate of the
significance of this farm discomfort,
Because the farm States we're not
able to unite on another candidate
to stop Hoover, and because the
publicity regarding a 100000 farm
ers' crusade Storming the conven-
ton was defeated by the appearance
here of only 500 does not mean that
the farmers are satisfied. Far
from it.
Hoovers nomination and the COM
promise platform plank on agricul-
ture have enraged many farm lead
ers, and many farmers who were
too busy in the fields to come to
Kansas City to make their protest
heard.
This is a definite menace to Re
publican victory in a few border
States like Missouri and Oklahoma,
and in key" States such as Indiana.
Whether this liability will grow de-
ponds in part on whether Hoover
makes more definite pledges for
farm relief during the campaign
and especially whether he presents
a program NOR effective than the
platform plank.
Hoover has much in his favor II
he sets out to win farm support
with a constructive legislative pledge
and program, because as a result Of
the Kansas City convention the
farmers are now without a national
political leader.
|
HOOVER is aided tremendously
l. Il by the fact that dirt farmers
in many sections are coming to
doubt both the wisdom and sincerity
of the Dawes-Lowden-W Watson sort
of leadership, which made farm
distress a partisan issue for the
profit of those politicians without
getting results for the farmers.
1t was clear before the conven-
ton, and undisputably now, that
the farmers are not set on the Nc
Nary Haugen equalization fee"
which is opposed by Coolidge and
Hoover as fallacious and uncon-
stitutional
The farmers are just as anxious
to take any other kind of panacea
which promised quick and partial
| relief. They demand, and probably
will continue to demand with in
creasing force if. necessary, that
agriculture be protected equally
with industry. But they are not
particular how such parity is
achieved.
Hoover already has proved that
he recognizes the justice and ex-
pediency of needing this farm cry.
He has just accepted as a running
mate the farm politician, Senator
Curtis of Kansas, despite Curtis
sweeping attack on Hoover on the
eve of the convention.
But the farmers say this gesture
will not be enough unless 1t is fol-
lowed by something more definite.