POLITICS IN AMERICA.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15999, 30 May 1924, Page 7

POLITICS IN AMERICA.

LAFOLLETTE FOR PRESIDENCY. POSITION OF THE FARMER. PRESSURE ON LEGISLATORS. (Australian end N.Z. Cable Assn.) WASHINGTON, May -20. I Senator R. M. LafollcHo lias virfually announced that lie will stand for the Presidency as an independent candidate unless Hie approaching Democratic and Republican Conventions demonstrate that they con and will purge themselves of evil influences. Mr Lafolletle denounced the Communists, and charges them with trying to control the Farmer-Labour Progressive Convention, to meet at St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 17. With the adjournment of Congress scheduled for June 7, in order lo permit the members to attend the Republican Convention, the Senate Farm bloc to-day made it clear Ilia!, Hie session cannot end without agricultural legislation. The wheat-growing areas are avowedly bankrupt, and the land values are disappearing under taxation, and I he heavy mortgages held by the banks are causing many of these institutions to fail, because Hie mortgages are “ frozen assets.” Congress has discussed various measures io aid the farmers, but none has been adopted. Members fear to return to their constituencies without according to agriculture some practical aid. Senator Frank R. Gooding called at White House and informed the President, Mr Calvin Coolidge, that something must be done. He said he hope! a compromise measure would be rushed through in Hie next ten days. The Republican leaders fear a defeat at the polls in November unless the crucial central and north-western Slates can be placated.