Willmar tribune., 1919-09-24

state ownership and democratic opera
ton OF natural resources, Mr.. Hamp-
ton continues:
'The natural resources of America,
basic raw material for all industries,
are largely monopolized in private
ownership, while the United States
congress is attempting practically to
give away its resources yet remaining
under public ownership" "a reference
to the Infamous oil and mineral leas-
ing bill recently passed by the senate.)
A Strange Farmer.
There is new assistant secretary
Of agriculture in Mr. Houston's pri.
vate cabinet and If any farmer In the
United States knows more about him
than the department of agriculture has
so far been disposed to make public
they know more than any of the
farmer representatives now in Wash
ington.
The name of the gentleman is James
R. Riggs, and he succeeds the lament
ed Clarence Ousley, who recently
graduated from the department of agri-
culture to the post of first vice presi-
dent of the Navy league and editor Of
its publication, Sea Power" From
this lofty position Mr. Ousley is now
urging the United States to build the
biggest navy in the world and damn
the expense
The Office OF information of the de-
partment of agriculture tells the world
that Mr.. Riggs 'is a farmer by hered-
1ty,' as proof of which it states that
his grandfather Hezekiah Riggs, was
born on farm in Doudoun county, Va,
in 1891. A few significant hints about
the present Mr.. Riggs are, however,
allowed to escape. For instance, the
department admits:
while devoting his energies pri-
marily to farming operations, Mr.
Riggs has found time both for other
business enterprises and for public af-
fairs. For number of years he was
active In the development of the COAL
Oil and gas industries of his Sec
ton. For II years he was president
of trust company. Since 1912 he has
been engaged in the manufacture Of
drain tile
The Drouth Aid Bill.
Secretary of Agriculture Houston
has definitely and finally refused to
give any support whatsoever to the
Sinclair drouth relief bill.
At a conference between Houston
| and the NOnpartisan congressman this
week the secretary of agriculture re-
iterated his "sympathy" with the prob
lens OF the drouth-stricken farmers Of
the Northwest, but asserted that It
was not for him to attempt to influence
congress in this matter Without the
Endorsement of the secretary of agri-
| culture the Sinclair bill, carrying an
appropriation of SIS 100000 to be loaned
for seed grain and feed purchase, will
not be favorably reported from the ap-
preparations committee.
Former Congressman Lever, now q
member of the federal farm loan
board, who is an enthusiastic support
er of the Sinclair bill, accompanied
| the North Dakota congressman on his
visit to Houston.
| In the course of his conversation
with Sinclair and Lever, Secretary
Houston observed that hasty visit
he made to Montana a year ago this
month had shaken his faith in the
farming possibilities OF that state.
This Is but one of a number of recent
statements indicating that the depart
ment OF agriculture would prefer to
have many northwestern farmers go
out OF business rather than give them
aid in solving their problems.
Railroad Sabotage.
Due to urgent representations made
to the railroad administration by Rep
resentative Baer Of North Dakota,
there Is now some assurance that suf-
! hclent cars for grain and other food
product shipments will be henceforth
available in the Northwest. The car
service section of the railroad admin
| 1stration has promised Mr. Baer that
all available "empties" will be rushed
to shipment centers OF North Dakota
without delay.
There is evidence that the recent
abnormal car shortage in the North
west Is not altogether due to natural
causes. There are number of power.
ful forces that will stop at nothing to
discredit government operation of the
railroads, and the favorable reception
given to the Plumb plan, providing
permanent government ownership of
the roads, in Nonpartisan territory has
awakened much anxiety in these quar-
ters. Steps seeking to discredit gov
ernment operation. as part of the
propaganda to have the roads returned
to their private owners, are now to
be taken in the Northwest, it is un.