The Washington herald., 1907-01-26
DEFEND FREE SEEDS
SOutherners Criticise Action
of Committee.
PEOPLES FRIENDS ACTIVE
Plan for Distribution of Rare Bulbs,
&c, WOuId Only ARGrandfze Bu-
FeRucrRcy, says CandIer-Farmers
Wen Represented on Agriculture
Committee, Replies Scott.

A lively discussion was had in the House
yesterday over the proposition of tho
Committee on Agriculture TO do away
with the free distribution of garden seeds
The agriculture appropriation BIN, carry
ing s. 125. 40. was under consideration il
general debate. While the bill contains
no provision for free seeds as In the past,
there is an item for the same amount as
is expended this year. to be expended in
the dissemination Of rare bulbs, seeds,
vines, and plants
The debate yesterday showed that the
vote on eliminating the provision for
free garden seeds will be close. The South
lined up almost to a man against the pro-
posed change. Charges Of seedmen main
tanning a lobby at Washington we're made,
but members If the Agriculture Commit
tee replied that this was q right the seed
men possessed and reference was made
to Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson as be-
ing an attorney-at-large in Washington in
the interest Of the farmer. 4 vote will be
taken on the bin to-day Southern mem
bers, and those from agricultural sections
generally. contend that It will result in
the reinsertion Of the provision for free
seeds by a larger majority than that of
last year.
Mr.. Gambler Animated.
In the course of the debate Mr.. Cand-
Ter. of Mississippi. made an animated ap-
peal for the Congressional free-seed dis
tTibution" He said that the long -estab-
Hshed appropriation had been lost in the
Committee on Agriculture by n tie vote.
and Mr. Wadsworth. OF New York. chair
man Of the committee, said the new pro-
vision had been modified 10y vote OF S
10 g.
Mr.. Gambler complained that the pro-
posed new plan, If carried out. would tend
to further aggrandize bureaucracy in the
government. and deprive Representative
OF the right and power TO control or d.
rect the distribution Of seeds
God bless the peoples Representa-
tives" said Mr.. Clayton. Of Alabama.
We are going to have those seeds"
Mr.. Hepburn asked If the language Of
the provision In the bill was not suscepti-
bic Of "a construction which would re-
quire the Agricultural Department 20 give
the seeds to seedsnen only, and Mr..
Gambler replied in the affirmative
Branching off to the cotton question. Mr..
Gambler said he hoped the Southern farm
eTs would stand together, shoulder 20
shoulder. to maintain the price Of that
staple. You may vote 10 establish the
gold standard, he added but the thing
that maintains IL IS the cotton crop. which
brings the foreigners gold to our shores.
Not Justified, Says scott.
The recommendation Of the Agricul-
ture Committee was defended by Mr.
Scott, of Kansas, a member, who said
the majority believed that the old free
seed distribution was not justified by any
sound principle Of government.
Answering the question DO the farm
ers have a lobby in Washington Mr..
Scott said: The farmers are abundantly
well represented here. A majority OF the
Agriculture Committee are practical
farmers. and every year We have before
Us the Secretary Of Agriculture who, /
may say, IS the attorney - large for all
the farmers OF the United States"
Mr.. Zcnor, OF Indiana. said that having
voted to increase their own salaries. if
Congressman cut out the free-seed distri-
button many members would be afraid TO
go home in March.
The committee rose. and at 5.15 o'clock
the House adjourned until to-day Be
fore the debate on the seed matter com
menoed, the House passed 395 priyc t. pen
sion bills