14 JULY 1928, Page 3

Mr. Al .Smith, the Democratic candidate for the United States

Presidency, has made his first political statement since the Houston Convention. He expressed his concern for the future of farming and promised to honour the pledges of the Democratic Party. He added that if he were elected President he would not neglect the dead period between his election and his inaugura- tion, but would set to work at once to consult with the farmers in order that a scheme might be ready directly Congress opened under his Presidency. This is indeed carrying war into the enemies' camp in a hurry. The farmers are notoriously disgruntled against the Repub- licans. Did not President Coolidge veto the farmers' demands ? If Mr. Smith can win the farmers' vote he will sensibly decrease the odds against his election.

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