Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-19
FARMERS PUZZLE
POLITICAL LEADERS
Perennial Revolt Is Missing
Despite Sharp Fall in
Price Level.
Cnocial nisnatch tn The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO, June 18.-The Republic
can Party convention already Is history.
The Democratic convention is about to
assemble, and still there is no sign Of
the perennial farm revolt that each
campaign year hobs up to bother poll
ticians.
This fact is all the more strange in
view of the distress that has struck ag-
ricultural areas. Wheat on Friday sold
at the lowest level of the season, not far
from the bottom prices for all time.
Corn is in new low ground for any pc
Rod since 1897 and oats are not far
above their long time minimum levels.
Yet none of the factions in the fight
for agricultural relief got what it want
ed from the Republicans. There Is no
assurance that the Democrats will offer
more. And thus far there is less evil
dence of radical agitation in farm bolt
areas than for any time since 1920.
Both Pleas Rejected.
The private grain trade asked for
abolition of the Farm Board and its
agencies 1t received praise for the
board and its activities. Farm organiZa-
lions asked for either the equalization
fee, the export debenture or the allot-
ment plan for controlling agricultural
SURPRISES. They were given none OF
these things.
Republicans offered higher tariffs on
farm products, more aid for co-opera-
tive marketing groups and support for
plans to balance production with de-
mand provided those plans are eco
nomically sound and enthusiastically
workable without burdensome bureau
cracy."
can platform. after saying mat tne
agency was compelled to meet unusual
problems in its first years OF operation,
asserted that, nevertheless, the board
has many achievements of merit to It's
credit. It has increased the member
ship of cooperative farm marketing
associations to coordinate efforts OF
the local associations. BY cooperation
with other Federal agencies, 1t has made
available to farm marketing assocla-
lions a large volume Of credit which, IN
the emergency would not have other
wise been available. Larger quantities
of farm products have been handled
co-operat lively than ever before in the
history of the cooperative movement.
Grain crops have been sold by the
farmer through his association directly
upon the world market"
Grain Traders Howl.
This boost for the Farm Board Is not
expected to strengthen the Republican
party with the organized grain trace,
which is crying loudly and long Tor
abolition of the agency. And 1t Is belng
questioned whether failure to promise
any of the measures which organized
farmers have been demanding for near
II 10 wears will influence the farm
vote. There is evidence that the farmer
himself never has been particularly en-
thlSiaStic over the remedies advanced
to sol-e his troubles.
The question in the minds OF po-
litical leaders of both parties today is
whether the silence in farm districts
this year means trouble. where in pre-
vious years the loud cries Of distress
turned out to be mere cries OF VOL
when there wasn't any wolf.
Parties wonder whether farmers are
waiting to Smite officeholderS in NO
vember. or whether they are giving the
politicians the benefit of doubt and not
blaming them for their economic trou-
bles. But 30-cent wheat at harvest
time. and the promise of 20-cent corn
in November, is none too pleasing to
the candidate for office.
Middle Western farmers are tradi- |
tionallv Republican. There is concern |
in that party over whether they might |
swing this year to an acceptance OF the |
policies of another party.
Copyright, 1922