The Iola register., 1890-02-07
RELIEF FOR THE FARMERS.

144A6x kVAS AAAS e@~e~-.-~
Topeka Capital.
The Capital is glad to note the ef-
forts of Congressman Funston and
Perkins In the direction of bringing
relief to to the agricultural interests OF
the west, by making thorough in.
ouiry into the causes which are pro-
ducing the present depression in the
prices of all farm products.
Congressman Perkins recently intro
duced a trust rili in the house, similar
to that introduced in the Senate by
Senator John Sherman, Of Ohio. IL
deals with the various trusts organiz-
ed for the purpose Of placing price on
the farmers products, and II 1t be-
comes law will correct the most gi-
gantic evil the people have had to con-
tend with for a generation.
But a measure which will go to the
root of the evil is the bill introduced
by Congressman Funston. which pro-
vides for the appointment ofa commits
sion by the president to epend several
months in an investigation into the
causes which produce the present
stagnation in agricultural interests.
Governor Humphrey has given this
matter a great deal Of thought and
eonsidera ton. He has endeavored
as far as bis limited time from official
duties would permit, to ascertain
what was the best means Of reaching
a solution of this vexing problem. Ac-
cordingly he wrote the following let
ter to Congressman Funston:
TOPEKA, JANUARY 16.
Hon II Funston, Washington.
MY DEAR SIR: You are aware, OF course, OF
the encouragement among Kansas farmers, re-
sultipg from ruiDously low prices OF wheat.
only ia Kansas but in this part or the. west gen.
erailv. Whatever may be the cause OF this de-
preston in agriculture, the farmers naturally
ascribe il to some condition and arbitrary
manipulation of things. through combines and
monopolies, which they naturally suppose can
be remedied and relieved by legislation.
= ,.,..,o. :. di,u.u,, and
that we are inclined to look too much to legis-
lation as q remedy for everything; yet, 1t does
seem that Congress might tackle the trust
question with good results, and do some :other
things which would go long way to satisfy
the feelings of which speuk, including liberal
silver coinage and pensions. The pending In.
yestigation into the beef combine and It's re-
lstion to the present depressed condition OF the
cattle industry will, hope. prove beneficial.
1t seems, from what l can learn. that this
question of things is not peculiar to Kansas,
but prevails throughout the entire agricultural
region of the west aud, furthermore, it seems
that q sort of dry rot, or decay has settled
upon agriculture in the central and middle
states. even in Ohio and pennsyivanisa. ~ ymha a. rood
thing, coming from your committee, or fro
you personally, as representative OF agricul-
ture, to suggest joint committee OF the two
houses to spend six months, IL necessary, in
vestig ating and ipquiring into the present con-
ditiop of agriculture throughout the union. in
cluding stock and other kindred interests, the
q view to finding out and suggesting what is
the matter with the agriculture, which seems
TO be the sick man in our industrial Affairs;
the subject of labor, engaged:in the skilled in
industries of the country Of course, this is
merely a haphazzard suggestion, and still
nothing can be more important than to ascer-
tain, If possible, and suggest some remedy for
the existing encouragement which seems to
run through agriculture oil over the country:
know you will pardon the suggestion which l
make to you because of your being at the head
of the agricultural committee in the house. and
because every man, worhan and child, in Kan
sas, in fact, the whole prosperity of the State
uepenus 80 exclusively uI'on Jul eeoch anu OBJ
ricultural affairs.
notice number of antitrust bills in the
Senate, one by Senator sherman, which seems
TO be pretty good and eincerely hope that the
Senate will get to the consideration Of some
such measures, exhibiting an earnest purpose,
at least, to do whatever may be done by legis-
lature to cure the general distress. Yours very
truly, LYMAN y. HUMPHREY.
In his reply under date of January
90, Congressman Funston says:
''I fully appreciate all you say about the de-
pressed condition of agriculture and the i'm
portapce OF doing everything possible for re-
lief Instead OF Joint committee, ae you sug-
gest. what would you think Of commission 70
be appointed by the President? That has been
in my mind for some time-somethin ing like the
tariff commission of lSS2?
number Of antitrust bills have been intro
duced and will have full consideration, but we
need facts which can only be secured by q care
full inqairy and investigation. Your letter
gives me encouragement to go on in the line of
thought in which have spent great deal OF
time.p
Such an investigation as is propos-
ed by Congressman Funston's bill
will go to the bottom of this paramount
question. The Capital hopes he will
push the matter, and that the Kansas
delegation will join him in pressing
the importance of this measure upon
Congress to the end that the burdens
and depression which have settled
upon agriculture may be removed.
n