The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-12-03
GOVERNORS SEEK
AID FOR FARMERS
WILL PROBE CONDITIONS THAT
FACE AMERICAN PRODUCER;
PLAN ADJUSTMENT.

Harrisburg-(By A. P)-Govern-
ors and governors representing
more than half the states of the union
voted at their annual conference to-
day to begin an inquiry into what was
variously called the "acute," alarm
ing" and "tragic" situation facing
farmers of the country with view
to recommending federal legislation
to assist them.
The object of the state executive,
which is said to be without parallel in
the hostOry of American government,
is for the organization of governors
to suggest to congress and actively
advocate passage of legislation neces-
sary to refund the debts of farmers
who are pinched by falling markets
with heavy stocks of surplus products
on hand SO as to give them year or
more in which to recoup losses and
wait for strengthening market. 1t
is proposed to do this through extern
sion of adaptation of the federal re-
serve system. A second proposal also
scheduled to receive consideration by
the committee is also by Governor
Harding, that foreign trade corpora
tion be formed to finance purchased
of American farm products by foreign
countries unable, through present lack |
Of funds, to come into the American
market
Acting on Governor Harding's sug-
gestions Governor Beckett introduced
a resolutions provided for appointment
of the committee to act under in
structions of the conference and take
the propositions up with congress di-
rect This motion received a second,
and was about to be voted upon when
it was objected that the constitution OF
the governors conference forbade for
NAL resolutions or action of that sort.
At this, Governor Sproul of Pennsyl-
vania pointed out that no such formal
action was necessary, and at the call
of Governor Lamberger of Utah, who
presided, vote was taken on the sug-
gestion to appoint the committee in
formally. Appreciation of the govern
ors was overwhelming.
Apprehension regarding agricultur-
al and industrial conditions through
out the country characterized most of
the expressions by speakers ADDRESSING
the governors today.
Several states, represented by their
chief executives or governors-elect,
were reported in condition verging
On the extremely critical, while
spokesmen for most of the others as
,ented to the general proposition hat
here is genuine cause for alarm IN
he outlook
Conditions in Iowa, Governor Hard
ng said, menace the very existence
# The agricultural industry.
He urged on every state official The
leee ssity of emergency legislation to
,1.tect farmers from impending ru n.
Few people, he said, realize the ex-
el t tn which they are dependent upon
he farmers. Most cities, he declared,s
re within ty-eight hours of the
armers Most cities, he declared are
acing conditions under which they /
vill be unable to supply cities with
ecessities of life. /
President Can Do Nothing
Sioux Falls, S. D.-President Will
on, replying to a message from Sen
tor Ed. S. johnson of South Dakota,
| which the senator urged immediate
nancial relief for the farmers and
vestock producers of the northwest,
oday sent the following telegram, re-
eived here this afternoon:
"Your message refers to unsat1s-
actory conditions unfortunately re- Il
1lting from the fall of prices. l re- +
ret to find that legislation has not
rovided me with powers which will Il
: -serviceab1e in the matter. h
"WOODROW WILSON," Is