Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-01
That Troublesome Fee Question,

That Troublesome Fee Question,
Really the Democratic organization
ought to set together and decide upon
q formula regarding the equalization
fee of the McNary- Haugen bill for the
relief Of aericulmrs It is at present
In 4 state Of Aux on this suo'sct, and
In this condition if fails to make dis
tinct impression upon the public MIND
on what may prove to BE- an important,
n not deciding, feature Of tbs CAM
paisn. Shortly after his appointment
as chairman OF the national committee
Mr.. Raskoh expressed himself to a farm
organization leader who sought him for
comfort and assurance that in his
Judgment the equalization fee vas
sound economically A few days later
Gov. Smith. not vet delivered OF his
speech OF acceptance and therefore i'll
q somewhat reticent mood, when con-
suited By the same farm leader. de-
clared that control Of the sale Of the
AGRICULTURAL surplus is recognized by
our platform as an essential need, the
cost to be imposed on the unit bene-
fted' Asked later whether this EXPIRES
sion involved an Endorsement OF the
equalization fee principle, he responded
by referring to an editorial printed that
DAY in the New York World which ex-
pressed the belief that Gov. Smiths
statement was clear indication that
the plan for the control Of the sale Of
agricultural SURPRISES contained in the
McNary- Haugen bill--in short. the
equalization fee plan-wss not sc
eeptable to him. This, said the governor.
''sur,nle0 I'D his views correctly
This statement by the candidate put
the national chairman in rather
awkward position, from which be
aought 20 escape by saying that his
own words had not been correctly re-
ported IN regard to the equalization
fee. For a time nothing more was said
by either candidate or chairman on
the subject-for print-snd the latter
refrained from any specific mention Of
the fee question in his speech OF ac-
ceptance last week. But now Chairman
Raskob is touring the West in the in
terest of party oreaniza ton and, being
In that region of acute farm issues, he
has lust STATED that Gov. Smiths posi-
ton on the subject OF the equalization
fee has been misunderstood. eontendjng
that the candidate has never denounced
this plan for farm relief. that he has
MAYER mats statement either way
regarding the fee MIR Rsskob does not
attempt to interpret the governors
declaration en- the subiect through bis
references to and complete adoption OF
til: analysis Of his position eoilorislly
EXPRESSED by thu New York World.
which declared that the equalization
fee vas mot acceptable" to him.
Thursday al Little Rock Senator
Robinson, in his spssch Of acceptance
as vice presidential candidate, referred
TO ths sue ect In guarded terms, saying
thai while the equalization ice pro-
vlde6 for in the Mchary- haugen bill is
not expressly approved, the Democratic
platform ooes recognize the principle
Of distributing the cost OF operations
with respect 10 surplus crop over the
marketed units whose producers are
benefited thereby" he w~nt Iurther
and said Il a more equitable and
effective plan than That comprised b.
the equalization ice is discovered, IL
should Dc ao0pte1.
Thus STANDS I'll cGse The ma tional
chairman approves lhs fee plan me
candidate ior President b. direct ana
virtually explicit reference 20 The
editorial expression Of partisan Oh gan
rejects it, The chairman, two weeks
later asserts thai the candidate hes
been n.4unoerslooJ on the suoicct. Inc
candida e for iice rTesluenl says
formally bhat while tne tee plan is not
expreSl.y approved by tne Parry pat
term, il recognize tn general principle
II would eeen tnat ~ Inc cifcaln-
stances conference should De nelp by
the best minis Of Inc organization anu
some statement OF the parLys anu the
candidate position on this decidedly
important question formulated upon
which all can stand without flnesse Or
evasion Or misunderstanding.