The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-06-04
Mr.. Fordney and the Tariff.
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except as a representative of the stats
of Michigan in Congress. have no
interest in the political ambitions of
any person in the Seventh district
who might aspire to Mr.. Fordney's
position. AS long as Mr.. Fordney
gives a good account of himself as a
representative we are in favor of re-
tanning him, but when the time arrives
that he cannot give good account
of his official acts, we are in favor of
electing another to take his place.
The issue in the case under discus
sion is not in my judgment, "Shall we
or shall we not retain Mr.. Fordney as
representative from this district" as
you seem to think, but ,"Has Mr..
Fordney as representative from this
district" as you seem to thing, but,
"Has Mr.. Fordney done everything
within his power to secure special
tariff on beans" If that can be an
swered in the affirmative, then so far
as we are concerned, your own ques-
ton can be similarly answered. But
up to the present time neither Mr..
Fordney nor his good friends have
given a satisfactory answer to that
question. We, meaning the Business
Farmer, and the bean growers of
Michigan, are entitled to that infor-
nation. True, Mr.. Fordney says
that the Republicans from the city
districts are against the bill, and Con-
gresham Osborne, (who by the way
is not a member of the Ways and
Means Committee and probably does
not know as much about the treat
ment accorded the bean tariff bill as
Congressman Garner, who is a men,
Der of the Committee); compliments
Mr.. Fordney for the assistance he has
given; but even there statements do
not clearly explain why Mr.. Fordney's
influence is great enough to secure
favorable action in his committee up
on other tariff bills, but not on the
bean tariff bill. Will you, as a per-
sonal and political friend of Mr.. Ford
ney, attempt to answer that question?
We concede the position of influence
which MI. Fordney holds. Were his
influence any the less, the mystery
surrounding his inability to perform
this most needed and favorable for
the bean growers of his district, would
not be so perplexing. 1t is because
Mr.. Fordney HAS influence to vir-
tually dictate the fate of tariff legis-
lation that makes his detection so in
comprehensive. What is the value of
a congressman's influence if he does
not use it to the advantage of his state
and district, as well as his nation.
Why should the voters of Mr.. Ford
ney's district continue him in Con-
gress, even though he may be the
most influential man in congress, if
he does not employ that influence
when it is most needed by his consti-
tuents. These are sensible, practical
questions, Mr.. Mccall, which should
have an answer and which cannot be
put aside by the excuse that they are
prompted by partisan motives.
So far as we are concerned these |
statements will close our side of this |
controversy. We have acted fairly,
honorably and honestly toward Mr.. |
Fordney. Every opportunity has been
given to him to reply to the criticisms
raised by the bean growers of his dis
trict, but he has ignored them. The
opportunity is still open. The need
for a special bean tariff law is still
urgent. Will he make good on his
promise to get this bill out of his COM
mittee, or will he give us some con-
crete evidence that he cannot do so |
The verdict, both as regards Mr..
position as well as the DO
sition that has been taken by the Bus
mess Farmer, am perfectly willing
to leave with our three thousand sub
scribers in Gratiot country
Very truly yours,
FOREST LORD,