Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-07
The Political Mill
BY C.. Could Lincoln.

IA OH nSAAoA COO AA 1s4AooOuII 10 u 1HIIlCkS
organization came out strongly for tn,
equalization fee" Of the old McNary-
Haugen farm relief bill. His address,
was a plea for more and better aic
for the farmers of the country and 9
criticism of the Federal Farm Board
set up during the present administra-
ton. Missouri Is old equalization fee
stamping ground. The State was pretty
strongly for the nomination of Frank
o. Lowden, former Governor of Illinois
at the time of the Republican National
Convention in 1928. Lowden had one
plank in his platform for the nomina-
tion-the equalization fee-which he
would not relinquish.
The address OF the Pennsylvania
Governor came as near being a polit-
ical campaign platform as 1t could
without bearing the label. The Gov
ernor did not overlook labor not by
II the farmers and labor got together
they could run the country, or at least
the Government of the country. Their
interests, he said, could run along to-
gether. He did not advocate a third
party. Minnesota already has Farm
er-Labor party, which has elected a
Governor, a Senator and a member OF
the House of Representatives. Mr.
Pinchot is still a Republican. He may
even seek the Republican presidential
nomination next year. His old chief,
sought to take the presidential nomina-
ton from the late William Howard
Taft, and, failing that, ran as an in
dependent candidate. II Mr.. Pinchot
makes a bid for the Republican presi-
Dental nomination and does not get
1t, will he bolt the party II the G. o. P.
renominates President Hoover as 1t re-
nominated the late President Taft in
1912?
The administration forces DO not be-
lieve that Mr.. Pinchot or any one else
can take the nomination next year from
President Hoover. Nevertheless. they
are not overlooking the possibility Of
an effort on the part Of the Pennsyl-
Vania Governor to win the presidential
preferential primary States In the West
In the primary elections for delegates to
the Republican National Convention next
year. Sometimes 1t takes the turn of
only few pebbles to start an avalanche.
II Mr.. Pinchot could win In the pri-
marieS in one of the Western States
one OF the Dakotas. for example, where
the 1nSurgent Republicans are strong
such victory against the President
might shake the confidence Of the ad-
m1nistration forces and give other posi-
BILE presidential nominees and their
friends the courage to go forward with
preconVention campaigns. The visit of
the Pennsylvania Governor to Missouri
at this time, and his declaration in
favor OF the equalization fee, which Mr..
Hoover has always opposed, Is considered
by no means without significance by
political observers. Mr.. Pinchot has
shown himself in the past a political
opportunist. ready to take advantage OF
whatever situations turn up. If there
was any doubt before that he had his
weather eye out for presidential nomi-
nation, his visit TO Missouri has pretty
well dispelled that doubt.
Despite the fact that the Democrats
today are talking as though the next
presidential election would be a walk
over for them, there are plenty of Re-
publicanS and independents who are
not willing to concede them q victory.
Republicans have seen the Democrats
make so many political plumbers in
presidential years in the past that they
are waiting now for such break Also,
SAAS ASCP0bAASoAlo DOAlO OuI LIlaI UIle
country normally is strongly Republi-
can and even though normal times are
not here, the Democrats start a fight
with a big Republican lead to overcome.
Furthermore, the Republicans intend
to convince the country, II they can
that 1t would be bad plan to change
horses in the midst of the present
emergency and that the Democratic
party has nothing constructive to offer,
any way, II it should be put in power.
The Republicans deny fatty that there
Is anything to the talk that any Demo-
crat who Is nominated for President
next year can win. They insist that
a good deal is going to depend upon
the candidate put forward by the
Democrats.
Senator "Jim" Watson Of Indiana.
Republican leader Of the Senate. has
returned to Washington from Indiana in
a more optimistic frame of mind over
Republican chances next year. In his
opinion, the farmers out In the Hoosier
State are getting along pretty well this
year, with fine crops and plenty to eat,
even though the prices Of farm produce
are down. Indeed, the big crops in
many OF the States have encouraged the
considerably Even out In
been criticized not only because Of the
wheat prices. but because of the oil sit
uation, there Is chance that Repub-
llcan prospects will pick up next year.
1t Is estimated that the wheat farmers
OF Kansas have not sold more than a
third OF this years crop and have 81
FAR stored the rest. With q shortage
in Canada and other countries the
prices Of wheat may advance materially
this Fall and Winter. and If they do
the Kansas farmers, 1t Is said, are likely
to benefit greatly. Also the home State
OF Carrie Nation and her Ratchet is
not likely TO look with great approval
on wet Democratic nominee for Presi-
dent, not after he has been nominated.
The return Of Senator Harry p
HAYES from the Philippines. for which
he Is striving to bring about independ-
ence legislation before he leaves the
Senate. calls attention to the fact that
Missouri must pick his successor in the
upper house of Congress next year. SEN
ator Halves has definitely taken him
self out Of the race for the nomination
and election. Former Senator James
A. Reed. who took himself voluntarily
out Of the Senate race three years ago
and strove nightly for the Democratic
presidential nomination. shows no in
clination to make a bid for the sena-
torial nomination next year. Indeed.
he still has his mind on the presi-
dental nomination and may have the
Endorsement of the Missouri Democ-
racy at the next national convention.
Col. Bennett Clark, son of the late
Speaker Champ Clark, is an avowed
candidate for the Democratic nomina-
ton for the Senate, however, and Is
campaigning right now.
\ X
The Republicans elected q successor
to Senator Reed in the Senate, Senator
Patterson, in 1928 Just whom they
will nominate for the Halves seat next
year is still problematical. Suggestions
have been made that perhaps Dwight
Davis, Governor General of the Philip
..Is,ss Mill .ssic.ss liz ,as.ssss.A 8