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Farmers' Votes. But the issues for the farmers were bigger than the small crowds would indicate. One of the four powerful U. S. farm organizations is the Farmers' Educational and Co-operative Union of America,* formally allied with John Lewis' Labor's Non-Partisan League. Its dynamo and chairman of its legislative committee is able Myron Thatcher, most frequent White House caller of all U. S. farm leaders, close ally of Henry Wallace in carrying out the Administration's farm program. Last month Farm Leader Thatcher reported to Farmers' Union members on five conferences he had held with then Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace, on one lengthy conference alone with President Roosevelt.
The President, said Mr. Thatcher, "is very worn and tired, and to me, he looked sorely beset. He seriously discussed, at great length, how Mr. Wallace was chosen for Vice President through a process of elimination and. in all of that analysis, it was evident to me that he is deeply conscious that he may not live or it may be necessary for him to resign if he is reelected. . . .
"I am positive that if he is re-elected and the war situation gives him an opportunity to get out, he will resign. I make this statement because he emphasized the qualities of Mr. Henry Wallace as one who is a thorough New Dealer, who has unquestioned integrity, fidelity to the common people of this country and the cause of democracy, and who also has one of the best minds and the clearest concepts of world problems of any in his group."
As Henry Wallace began his campaign in the farm belt, the Sioux City Tribune republished Farm Leader Thatcher's report, commented, "Well, of course, that's one man's impression, but ... it is well for voters to consider that possibility and to ask themselves whether they want Henry A. Wallace for President."
Farmers' Answers. There were no outward signs last week to indicate what their answers would be. Farm life over the U. S. slowed down for a week of going to fairs and preparing for winter; Midwest harvests were in, except for corn; light snowfall had already whitened the mountains of Colorado, where stockmen were celebrating a good year. In Minnesota the days were mellow and there was an evening haze; schools were open and school children rode in bright yellow school busses or trudged down country roads. At their fairs and festivals—Sauerkraut Day at Springfield, Turkey Day at Worthington, Rutabaga Festival, Potato Day, Egg Festival, Come & Get It Pancake Day-farmers talked about the queer weather that gave them a dry July and a rainy August. Or they were starting the fall plowing that left the plowed-up loam, chocolate or ebony black against the green countryside, looking almost edible in its richness.