The Tomahawk., 1919-09-04
SINCLAIR PLANS AID
FOROR0UTH FARMER.
North Dakota League Congress-
man Urges $5,O00,000
Appropriation.
FEED AND SEED ARE NEEDED
Crop Failures in Several large eec-
tions Threaten Next Years Farm
Production Unless Special Aid
l. Is Provided. -. /.

=. -"
Washington, D. c.-special aid
to farmers who have suffered from
drouth during the present crop
season Ia planned In a bill intro.
duced by Congressman J. II. Sin.
clair, the new Nonpartisan league
member from North Dakota.
The new farmer congressman
would have the federal govern
ment appropriate the sum Of S.
100000 to advance feed and seed
to farmers who have lost their
crops and other feeds throuoh h
dro2th conditions. Montana, parts
Of Wyoming, and western North
Dakota have suffered heavily, and
there arc drouth sections in sev-
eral ot1e: states.
Principal opposition to the measures
comes from the machine republicans
who are anxious to make a showing
Of so-called economy for political pur-
poses. For this reason the bill was
referred 70 the Deficiency committee
instead Of the Agricultural committee
where It really belongs. <
Not New Principle.
The present drouth conditions are
not nearly so serious as those in 1917
when Congressman John M. Baer made
his fight for aid to the amount of
$50.000.00O, but they are serious
enough to demand. attention If con-:
gress wants to keep up agricultural
production and thus keep down the
cost of living. Baer succeeded in get
ting his principle recognized in spite
Of opposition from the Secretary of
Agriculture and an appropriation of
one-tepth of the sum asked.
Western North Dakota has compar-
atively little need of, the federal aid
because the farmers government there
already has relief machinery at work,
but the other states have nothing.
The state owned bank of North d.
kota has placed as much of it's public
funds as possible with the banks in
the drcuth areas. It is ready to dis
count loans made to farmers so that
banks will not have to refuse loans
from lack Of funds. Also the state
two years ago empowered counties to
bond themselves for feed and seed
loans to needy farmers.
Full Text Of eilI.
The full text of the Sinclai;: bill
reads as follows:
BE it enacted by the senate aid
house OF representatives Of the Unit
I'd States of America, in congress as
sembled, that the secretary of agri-
culture is hereby authorized, for the
crop of 1920 TO- make advances of
loans to farmers and stockmen in the
drouth-stricken areas of the United
States, where he shall find special
need for such assistance exists, for
the purchase of wheat, oats and bar
ley for seed purposes, and of feed for
livestock, or, when necessary; to pro-
cure such feed and seed and sell same
to such farmers.
'Such advances, loans or sales shall
be made upon such terms and condi-
tons and subject to such regulations
as the secretary OF agriculture shall
prescribe, including an agreement by
each farmer to use the seed and feed
thus obtained by him for the produc-
ton of grain. A first lien on the crop
to be produced from seed obtained
through a loan, advance or sale made
under this section shall, in the dis
cretion Of the secretary of agriculture,
be deemed sufficient security therefor.
THE total amount Of such advances,
loans or sales to any one farmer or
stockman shall not exceed the sum Of
$500. All such advances or loans shall
be made through such agencies as the
secretary OF agriculture shall desig.
nate. For carrying out the purposes
Of this section there is hereby appro-
priated, Out Of any moneys in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated,
the sum OF 100000, available i'm
mediately."
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