Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1920 — FARMERS START DRIVE TO QUERY ALL CANDIDATES [ARTICLE]

FARMERS START DRIVE TO QUERY ALL CANDIDATES

Washington, March 17.—William J. Bryan received today the first copy of the questionnaire prepared by a committee of the national board of farm organizations for presentation to all presidential candidates in order to place them on record on matters of interest to farmers. In accepting the questionnaire Mr. Bryan said he was not at this time a candidate, but would study the series of inquiries and give the farm board his opinion upon them. ; Mr. Bryan declared himself as heartily in accord with the principle of requiring candidates to put themselves unequivocally on record before entering upon their campaigns. He did not accept the questionnaire as a candidate, he told the delegation which presented it, because "I would not want to be placed in the position of being a candidate when lam not a candidate. But if I should be a candidate you will know soon enough.” Elimination of the middleman, protection of the farmer in his right to organize, appointment of -an expert acceptable to organized agriculturists ad secretary of agriculture and representation for farmers on all boards and commissions in the membership of which various interests are recognized, are the main planks in the farmer’ platform .outlined in the questionnaire, according to C. 8. Barrett, president of the national board and chairman of the commission which drew up the document. Other issues presented include the free aqd unquestioned right of collective buying, reduction of the farm tenancy evil, improvement of "free speech, free press and free assembly.”