The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-24
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press stan Correspondent
fCoDvright. 1891 by United Press1


OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. "a
Governor William H. Murray-Al-
falfa Bill as he likes to be known
is riding revolt in the plains states
to challenge the political forces of
the industrial and financial east.
Yet, in some beliefs, he is about
as radical as Calvin Coolidge.
A movement to make Murray the
Democratic presidential nominee is
gathering strength. Thousands of
the Governors followers among the
poverty-stricken farmers have faith
he will perform the miracle. It is
this faith, like that which gave Will
liam j. Bryan his power, that makes
Murray potential national force.
He wouldn't, he says, be Vice
President, if he were elected. He is
out for Bigger game.
This unkempt, gaunt, almost I'M
believable figure, champion of the
underdog, as disheveled in ap-
pearance as one of Coxey's army,
suddenly was returned to leadership
by hard times. He was elected Gov
ernor by one of the largest ma
jorities ever received in Oklahoma.
He is Oklahoma's Gandhi He in
tends to lead an agrarian fight over
the Democratic platform. He has
frightened business men in this
section because he has some daring,
ruthless streaks.
Platform Not Radical
Yet when Murray climbs down
from his soapbox long enough to
discuss national policies, he does
turn out in some respects to be just
about as radical as Coolidge.
He proposes transfer of control
of the federal reserve system from
bankers to business, manufacturers,
agricultural producers, and other
actual users of money. He would
develop more liberal banking or
ganization for handling agricultural
credits.
He would give greater govern
ment assistance to promoting two
way foreign trade particularly with
Latin-America, base the tariff on
the difference in cost of production
at home and abroad with safe
guarding duties on all raw material
such as oil and cotton.
He would encourage an American
merchant fleet, give it adequate pro-
lection, build the Nicaraguan canal
as quickly as possible to cut five
days from the route to the Orient.
He would be prepared to go to BIZ
metalism should England do so to
protect American commerce.
He would extend more aid t. rail-
roads to avert government vner-
ship, for he is opposed to g ern-
ment ownership except where we're
is no alternative.
Opposes Speculation
He would increase taxes on higher
incomes, reorganize federal boards
and commissions to reduce dupli-
cation, extend the practice of form
ing state compacts with partici-
patton Of the federal government as
was done in the Boulder dam prof.
ect.
He would restrict exchanges to
the actual functions of a market
place, eliminating speculative tranc-
actions.
That, in brief, is his program.
Bryan probably would have brushed
it aside as too conservative.
Il don't believe in government
ownership though I wouldn't hest
tate to resort to it when needed
Murray told the United Press. I'VE
should try to aid people by indi-
rect methods unless we are going
into state socialism which calls for
direct methods. If we are going
to let people run their own affairs
then the government has got to let
them do it with what aid it can
give"
Down here in Oklahoma's small
towns, Murray climbs up on box
or a Ford truck, his overcoat
fastened with a safety pin, un-
shaven, wearing a shirt that un-
doubtedly had been worn the day
before. He is duplicate, except for
what is inside of his head, OF dozens
of men standing in every audience
he addresses.