Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1935-05-23
FARMERS MOBILIZE
ANOTHER GROUP FORMING
BLocS CONTROL VOTES
SEEK SELFISH AIMS
PRESIDENT GUARDS PUBLIC
STERILIZATION IMPORTANT
U. S. READY TO COOPERATE
OUR NEUTRAL POLICY
A CRIME INSTITUTE

Jul NEOiHAI POLICY
A CRIME INSTITUTE
The farmers who gathered IL
Washington to express approval O
the farm program Of the Administra
ton insist thai their pilgrimage b.
bus, automobile and train from man,
sections OF the country was a spon
taneOus uprising to defend theil
rights AT any rate, the nation wit
messed the beginning OF an agricul
tural lobby that Is destined to be
come stronger and more effective II
the future.
Without regard to any opinion thai
one may have of the AAA, 1t is easy
to e that agriculturalists, receiv
ing benefits from the government
will be reluctant to forego these pay
ments. They will probably fight fol
them with the same determination
that manufacturers have fought fol
tariff favors and upon the same
grOunds|self-interest.
While 1t Is not the intention OF the
writer or the function of this column
to take sides" in discussing political
Developments the public might as
well understand the trend that is ap.
parent In politics. For years, there
has been In existence a powerful lob
by working In the interest of big
business and solely dedicated to its
advantage. The veterans OF former
wars have for years taken advantage
Of effective organizations to promote
Legislation to secure benefits de-
signed solely for them and the treat
ment accorded war veterans OF this
country testifies very eloQuently to
the power OF this group.
The power OF the Prohibitionist
group, for a time more effectively
used than that of the liquor forces,
was organized for the purpose of in
fluencing legislation by mass pres
sure upon Congress, and it is be-
lieved that Father Coughlin, Of De-
trOit, hopes to develop a similar
power over legislation in the inter
est OF the proposals that he favors.
OF course, everyone knows Of the
effectiveness Of the pressure that
organized Labor, representing a min
GRITTY Of w0rkmen, can exert upon
occasion. Inevitably, the farmers will
follow the example of other groups
and strive to emulate their sue
cesses.
In this connection, n might as
well realize that any lbelligerent
minority, well organized and supplied
with some "sinews of war" can in
timidate members of congress. AS
every congressman knows reelection
to office Is dependent upon a slender
balance OF favor with the electorate.
and the hostility Of even a small but
determined minority group often
turns the tide against an incumbent.
Under these circumstances, 1t is
easy to understand why the congress
men are influenced by the demands
made by these organizations when
they happen to be strong in the pre-
cincts where they must secure votes
to continue in public office.
The only effective opposition that
can confront the demands of these
groups or thwart their political
threat must come from the Presi-
dent of the United States. AS 1t has
been pointed out by Mr.. Roosevelt
and practically all OF his predeces-
Sor In office, the Chief Executive Is
the only representative of the ma
ton as a whole, obligated by law to
regard the interests OF the entire
people and to act with sole regard to
the general welfare of the United
States. Naturally, there have been
instances where presidents ha We
failed to meet this responsibility and
as q result, selfish or sectional In
tereets have been advanced at the
expense OF the welfare of the entire
nation.
The Presidents veto OF the Pat
man Bonus bill, In spite OF its vic
tories in the House and Senate, Is
am illustration OF a President acting
as he thinks, In the interest OF the
nation as q whole and in opposition
to the power Of a special group. This
truth should be realized by all those
interested In the success OF the
American government, whether mi
agrees with the position taken by
the Chief Executive or with those
who think that the soldiers should
be paid at once.
That the bonus will remain an Is
sue In our pOlit'es until 1t Is paid Is
not doubted. The pressure that can
be exerted against Legislators will be
applied relentlessly and, In time,
the necessary two-thirds will be
found to ride roughshod over presi-
Dental opposition. In discussing this
question and in pointing out the
methods Of minority groups to ee-
cure action favorable to their own
programs and particularly in u OBJ
servation on the bonus issue, the
reader should note that the same
question has been presented to pres
idents of both parties, with identical
action being taken by them.
The average reader probably thinks
that the sterilization OF world cur
rencies Is not very important, but
when INK considers the Importance