Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-10
DEMOCRATIC FARM
PLANS WATCHED
Presidential Campaign to Be
Fought Out on General Lines
in Absence of Definite Bill.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The exchanges OF messages between
Gov. Smith and the various farm lead
ers are being watched here, not for
some intimation of approval for the
McNary- Haugen bill and equalization
fee which the Republican leadership
has turned down, but for some afirna-
tive indication OF what the Democratic
plan Of agricultural reform Is likely
TO be.
Both sides. have discarded the Me-
Nary Haugen plan and the equaliza-
ton fee. Even the farm groups are not
insisting on IL now. The truth Is they
felt that the fight against the alleged
unconstitutionality of the equalization
fee was too big job to carry on when
the same object might be attained in
another way.
So. II Gov. Smith fails to come out
for the McNary- Haugen plan, 1t Is not
because he has too much regard for the
feelings OF the conservative Eastern
business men, with whom his campaign
managers are trying nowadays to curry
favor on the ground that the Demo-
cratic platform Is safe for business, =
but because an entirely new idea has
been advanced by the agricultural
groups themselves Also, Senator Nc.
Nary. author of the bill that bears his
name, has discarded it and joined the
Hoover forces.
win Fight on Principle.
The new idea, which In some resnect,
Is more revolutionary than the McNary.
Haugen plan, is provided for In princi.
pie In the Democratic platform. but IN.
I'll Congress meets again a bill definitely
embodying the ideas OF the platform vii
not be available for consideration. In
other words. the presidential Campaign
WI be found on the principle OF farm
! relief rather than a particular formula
A circumstance that conforms more
readily to the offensive than the de.
iensive type OF campaign. The Repub.
lcans are going TO be attacked In tn,
West for failing 10 pass the McNarv.
naugen plan, while the Democrats viii
point to their own support of 1t.
AS Tor the future. however, the two
nominees will be required to state thei,
respective plans for farm relief In gen
erai terms. Gov. Smith has already
Sald ne will call conference in1nne0i.
aeeIy alter election and before his In
| auguration. -
Meanwhile the Democratic nominee,
speech OF acceptance will outline IN
m riule oennite form exactly what the
1Aeu VA IdTu1 TelleH Will be.
Involves Taxing Powers.
The platform commits Gov. Smith n
plan OF distributing the cost of thu
marketing OF the surplus so that IN,
wnoie cost Is borne by the farmers
WINE THIS is analogous to the eouaIiza
.ion zee. the general impression lis tina,
~ Will De In the form OF an excise tax
Inc plan looks to the taxing power 81
the Constitution rather than To IN,
commerce clause. In any event :
method OF handling the surplus thronol
government cooperation In expected h
De set forth by Gov Smith. some con
! crete plan will also come fron, secre.
taIy hoover In his speech of acceptance
tnen u Will be for the farm leader
10 determine which OF the two sneeche
! oners program that Is A better s,,b
sutute Tor the McNary- Haugen pian
hIter the speeches OF accentance In
dehnite commitments from farm eroup
may be expected.
The Republicans are confident tina
secretary Hoover will 90 far enough
IN the amplification of the platform
10 prevent serious revolt In the marty
while the Democrats believe the Snaitl
speech OF acceptance will gather enough
votes In doubtful states 10 be directi
neipfui 10 his candidacy. The speeche
OF acceptance this year will be alntos
ss important II not more so than tn
platforms themselves.