Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15
|ND|ANAFARMER
HEADS BACK SMITH
Federation Throws Support
Behind Democratic
Plank.
Special Dispateh TO The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
INDIANAPOLIS, July i4.-The Of
fetal weight OF the Indiana Federation
of Farm Bureaus, with membership
of $4,000, will be thrown into the bal
ance In favor of the Democratic plank
on agriculture. That means that the
farm bureau leaders will 90 down the
line for Gov Smith, although In order
to preserve the non-partiSan identity
Of the organization they RETAINED from
an outright Endorsement OF the New
York governor.
The question OF whether the board
of directors should openly indorse Gov.
Smith and condemn Hoover for his
week and finally was settled by deci-
sion to hold up the Democratic plank
to the farmers as all that they could
expect in the way Of promised relief.
The farmers. recalling their failure to
make dent on the Kansas City con-
vention, were severely critical OF the
Republican farm plank and openly hos
tile to Hoover.
Smith Wins Favor.
Smith, by the alacrity with which he
responded to a telegram from the farm
bureau asking for his views on agricul-
sion which was further helped when
Hoover took two days before facknowl-
edging receipt of the message. Smith
frankly told the farmers that he would
call their leaders into session as soon
as his election was certain and that ne
would help them In drafting farm
relief measure. Hoover said that he
would discuss the farm question when
he is of7icially notified OF his noniina-
ton
Republicans who have benefited by
the favorable attitude OF the farm bu-
reau in the past are deeply resentful
by w. H. Settle, president OF the fedora
ton. Some are urging the Republican
State committee to openly denounce
him. Settle was known as Republic
can in wells County, where he lived
before becoming head OF the organized
farmers. Four years ago the federation
under his leadership, quietly supported
Calvin Coolidge, and two years ago IL
openly supported Senators Watson and
Robinson because they had voted for
the McNary- Haugen bill. The fedora
ton also aided Senator Watson In his
primary race against Hoover.
Watson Men to Direct.
Hoover's campaign in Indiana will
be fought under the banner OF Senator
Watson and will be directed by Stalwart
Watsonians who are on record IS nav
ing said many direful things about the
Secretary In the recent primary. On
the surface this arrangement looks like
everything is peace and harmony ana
that the Watson and Hoover elements
have subordinated the prejudices en-
gendered by the primary. but under
aa
especially from the Hoover people.
The showdown came when Elsa
Rogers. Republican State chairman
appointed al, executive committee and
then chose an executive committee OF
seven which win comprise the actual
board OF strategy. The main commit
ice Is composed of 80 men and women,
all of whom are avowed Watson sup
porters with the exception OF Two
Hoover men, Oscar Foellinger OF Fort
Wayne, the Secretary's state primary
campaign manager, and Eli Seeblrt, iof-
merry mayor OF South Bend. Foelnnger.
however. finds himself the lone Hoover
man on the subcommittee.
There WAS irony In Toellingers COM
ment when he said that he was sure
the State committee and the executive
| committee would make an honest ana
sincere effort IN carry Indiana for Mr..
| Hoover some of the Hoover people.
however, we've more vociferous IN charg-
| ing that the Watson element had de-
| liberately crowded the Hoover leaders
out OF the picture, Demands were
| made that F0eilineer be made chair
man of the executive committee. but
1 that place went IN Allan G. MesalcK OF
Marion, who supported Watson In the
! primary.
Back OF the move was the determine
ton OF tgie Watson leaders TO prevent
the Hoover people from capturing the
state organization. They feared, and
there was ample foundation for the fear.
that II the Hoover chieftair got foot
hold, they would take over the ma
chinery and ki.x the Watson followers
out intb the cold, The Hooverites pri-
vately express the fear that the Wat.
s0niank win not give their best service
10 the ticket, but the Watson LEADERS
deny that and insist they with 90 down
the line for the entire ticket.
HAROLD G. FEIdHTNEH.