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2) Strengthen constitutional tariff protection on farm products. Farmers. Not the least part of the outcry against the veto of S. 3555 came from people who failed to distinguish between tariff protection on products made for domestic use, such as Industry enjoys, and artificial price inflation on domestic products which are exported. The sharpness, approaching bitterness, of the President's language, so aroused many people that they failed to attach significance to the President's declaration for "a strong protective tariff on farm products." That was a new note for President Coolidge to strike as clearly as he did, but judging from public comment, it went unnoticed. The President's signing of the Jones-White bill, establishing a near-subsidy for the shipping business, on the same day the farmers were denied "Salvation," heightened the impression that there had been unfair discrimination between Agriculture and Industry.
The attitude of Congress was one of dudgeonous resentment, but sufficient Senators led by party-faithful Republican-Leader Curtis, reversed their votes and sustained the veto.
The veto message took aback President S. H. Thompson of the American Farm Bureau Federation. He said: "Millions of American citizens are disappointed in this act of Mr. Coolidge. The effort to get economic justice for agriculture will be continued with increasing energy. . . ."
In the so-called Corn Belt, the Des Moines Register said: "Probably never in our 150 years of Congressional Govern-ment has the deliberate act of two Congresses been dismissed with such utter want of appreciation. . . . Mussolini has not said anything about Parliamentary Government in Europe that this message does not say by implication of Congressional Government with us."
In Nebraska, the Omaha Bee-News was more moderate and merely called on Congress to "call Mr. Coolidge's bluff" by passing a bill without the equalization fee. But Governor Adam McMullen issued a proclamation :
"The time has come for action by the farmers themselves. . . ." he proclaimed.
"Let 100,000 farmers confront that convention (at Kansas City) and as American freemen demand economic justice.
"Let 100,000 farmers face their delegates and challenge their opposition.
"Let 100,000 farmers march through the streets of the city that has grown into a great industrial centre through the toil of men and women who have struggled against odds to wrest a bare existence from the soil.
"Farmers, arise as crusaders of old! Defend your families, property and freedom. Go to Kansas City. . . . Go yourself and meet your neighbors there. Form a living petition of 100,000 souls and demand your rights!"
Subsequently, Governor McMullen talked about the "Farmers' Army" and "a second caravan of the Covered Wagon." At Springfield, Ill., several hundred farmers flocked to the State arsenal for a caucus. Another flock met at Galesburg, Ill. President Earl C. Smith of the Illinois Agricultural Association telegraphed the