The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1919-12-26

farms and had not stepped Into any
state 10 legislate as 10 the use OF farm
lands. still congress had provided In
formation, had disseminated instruc-
tons, had distributed seeds. and had
supported In every manner which was
deemed wise. the great national inter
est OF agriculture. He told how the
government had sought to protect agri-
culture from great pests such as the
gypsy moth, the brown-tail moth. the
boil weevil. or even the grasshopper--
all for the general welfare
he showed how the government had
provided for the distribution OF seeds
Of new aud useful varieties and how II
had provided for the Introduction and
protection OF insectiyorous birds and
how II had provided also for the estab-
lishment and maintenance Of labora-
tories for experiments In agricultural
chemistry. He told how later the bu-
reau Of animal husbandry was estab-
lished 20 study and TO disseminate In
formation as 10 the proper breeding
and as 20 the diseases OF domestic ami
mails. He told later Of how the
weather bureau was taken away from
the army and put In charge OF the de-
partment OF agriculture so that the
farmers and all interested In the pro-
duction and distribution OF food might
have comprehensive Information as TO
rainfall and weather representations.
Protecting NatIon's Food Supply.
From all this he reasoned that the
government recognised II as a proper
function OF government TO encourage,
aid and protect agriculture, and he
held that II was the duty OF the gov
ernment to guard against any shortage
In the food supply OF the nation. There
fore, he said. when this great under
lying industry stood In need OF funds
for operation or for development. It
was clearly the duty Of the govern
ment and clearly within Its rightful
powers to provide the means by which
the necessary funds could be placed at
the disposal Of those engaged IN the
cultivation Of the soil.
-Here is q great activity" he said.
which has received financial support
from the foundation Of the govern
ment.
"Our position is that the federal gov
ernment was competent IN the applica-
ton Of money and investment OF
moneys In the stock OF the federal
land banks. TO organize these banks
and to invest moneys In their stock. 10
borrow money. and 20 loan money for
these purposes. and TO provide for the
Issue OF bonds for these purposes. Be
ing competent 10 do this. the govern
ment could organize whatever agencies
ws-e necessary and convenient and
could authorize them 10 borrow TO do
this thing for the government"
Bonds Had 10 BE Exempt
Mr. Hughes contended that as con-
gress could create the land banks as
corporations and clothe them with
power TO lend money and to issue
bonds, the government could. OF course.
protect these corporations and these
bonds issued by them from discussion
or impairment by any action. He said
/ that "as the power 20 tax was the
power 10 destroy" the government OF
course. had the right to exempt these
bonds from taxation. And this rule.
he said. had particular force In this
case, as the bonds OF these banks had
TO be sold In competition with other
tax-exempt securities. and that with
out their being tax exempt money
could pot be secured for the farmers
at low rates OF interest. To help the
farmer the rate had 20 be row, and to
get the low rate the bonds had 10 be
exempt from taxes.