Evening star., 1928-08-03
But Backs Principle of Con-
trolling Sale of Sur
pluSeS.
C0NFESSES HE HAS
NO DEFINITE PLAN
Bares Stand to Press Men After
Farley With Peek-Will Con-
fer With Walsh.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
NEW YORK, August 3.-Gov Smith
put his foot down today on the equali-
Zation fee feature of the McNary- Hau-
gen farm bill, declaring that it was un-
acceptable to him
The Democratic presidential nominee
reiterated that he recognizes the prin-
ciple of controlling the sale of agricul-
tural surpluses, the cost to be borne by
the group benefited. but he has no def
mite plan in mind for carrying out that
principle.
Smith was led into brief discussion
Of his farm relief views today by news
paper men who sought more light on
his statement issued yesterday after his
conference with George N. Peek, Illinois
farm leader, who has swung to his sup
port.
Reads Editorial.
One OF the reporters who visited the
persplr1ng nominee in his fourteenth
floor suite at the Biltmore, asked
whether IN stating control of the sale
OF the agricultural surplus is recog-
n1zed by our platform as an essential
need, the cost to be imposed on the
unit benefited" he had indorsed the
equalization fee proposition, which
President Coolidge contended was un-
constitutional.
THE lead editorial in this mornings
New York World sums up my views cor
rectly." Smith responded. A reporter
furnished him copy and the nominee
read aloud:
I'VE take it that Gov. Smiths decIa-
ration comes down to this:
"'(a) That the Democratic party is
committed to the principle of con-
trolling the sale of agricultural sur
piuses, the cost to be borne by the
group benefited
:tbl That the plan for applying
this principle contained in the McNary-
Haugen bill is not acceptable to him.
10 That he has no plan Of his own
for carrying out that principle
td) That he promises after elec-
ton to work out such PLAN"
Refuses More Comment.
That was all the Democratic candi-
date had TO say on farm relief.
He disclosed that he had invited
Senator Walsh of Montana to confer
with him on the campaign outlook and
the invitation, no date had yet been
fixed for their meeting.
After his return this morning from
an overnight cruise in Long Island
Sound on the yacht of his friend, VIII
liam H. Todd. Smith conferred with
Fred w. Johnson OF Rock Springs, Wyo.,
who will have charge of regional head
quarters at Salt Lake City.
Johnson, in conversation with news
paper men. said farm relief and water
power were greater issues in the mind
also said that Smiths opponents in the
West in their campaign were emphasize
ing his alliance with Tammany Hall.
After spending some time with his
secretary, George Graves. on State
business. the governor went for the
first time to national campaign head
quarters in the General Motors Build
ing,
The Democrats are out to capture
States in the Upper Mississippi Valley.
and with well planned organization
they intend to challenge the Republicans
for every inch Of ground In that farm
ing territory.
As Gov. Smiths followers see it, they
already have made dent IN the lines
of the opposition by enliSting the sup
port of Peek, supporter Of Lowden for
the Republican presidential nomination
and champion Of farm legislation along
the lines of the McNary-Haugen bill.
The Democrats plan regional cam
paign organization, designed 70 bring
Iowa. Wisconsin. the DakotaS, Illinois
and others into line for the Smith,
Robinson ticket Headquarters prob
ably will he in Chicago
Plans to wage q finish fight m the
corn and wheat belt were disclosed YES
terday by Chairman RaSkoh OF the na~
tional committee.
Peek AsSailS Hoover.
Peek. in a statement III which ne as
sailed Herbert Hoover and declaAe6 -
was not necessary to wait for his ae-
ceptanee speech TO establish that he
was no true friend Of the farmer, said
he was convinced Smith II elected,
would solve. the farm problem with
intellectual honesty"
Previously the Democratic presidential
nominee had reaffirmed his intention 70
stand on the Democratic platform, plank
by plank,
He also reiterated that. II chosen
President, he would consult farm lead
erS and economists during the Winter
TO formulate concrete farm relief pro-
gram, and he declared that in dtSre-
garding party lines in seeking advice
he would enlist the aid Of Lowden OF
Illinois
Avoids Equalization Fee,
In the statement which he issued
after his conference with Peek. Gov.
Smith promised 10 discuss the farm
question at length in his acceptance
speech in Albany three weeks hence.
tie Steered clear from the equalization
fee
The plan OF the Democrats 10 wage
battle for the farming States was dis
closed as Gov Smith was spending the
last Of the week in New York After
his conference yesterday with Peek. he
went on cruise into Long Island
Sound