14i THE AGRICULTURAL BLOC 



foundations of American agriculture, long re- 

 garded as the impregnable base of America's 

 prosperity. 



The movement wa& not primarily political 

 nor social, but economic with social and political 

 reactions. Even fundamental economic prin- 

 ciples of long standing have been freely ques- 

 tioned and the entire basis of our industrial 

 organization subjected to renewed criticism. 

 "When any great movement of this character 

 occurs it is reflected immediately in the thought 

 of large groups of people w^ho discover them- 

 selves in a new set of circumstances which they 

 have not before experienced, which cause them 

 to question all established institutions and 

 frequently to produce new and radical depar- 

 ture from principles that have been tried and 

 proven true through history. Under the stress 

 of sacrifice and pain men are driven to radical 

 extremes. The result is great discontent, 

 intolerance for established law and order, dis- 

 dain for the tried rules of orderly industry, 

 and a general economic upheavel that affects 

 all industries. 



At such a time sane and cool-headed states- 

 men stand fast against the waves on the surface 

 of the storm of criticism and endeaver to seek 



