The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-12-02

were kept immune. He said that 1t
would be possible to achieve the same
immunity from politics for the Federal
Reserve Board. and that one way OF
achieving 1t he could himself attend 10
by making the first appointments men
of such high reputation that they "oulo
create for the office a dignity above re-
proach and of such high character that
no one could cOerce them.
The resistance which this Federal
Reserve Board and Secretary Houston
Of the treasury, both appointed by MT.
Wilson, made TO clamor from poll
tiCians Of the presidents own party,
who in sunre' cases made their plea In
formal delegations led by senators from
Democratic states. is one or the very
large entries to be set down on the
credit side Of Mr.. Wilson'S administra-
ton. If it is followed as precedent
by future presidents and future Reserve
boards. President Wilson. in this case,
along with some other more obvious
cases. will be entitled TO credit for CIV
ing 10 one of the country'S institutions
permanent impetus in the right direc-
ton.
Whether the demands made on the
treasury were proper or improper,
whether the refusal was wise or UNI
wise from the point Of view OF sound
does not matter. There will he plenty
of occaS ions to discuss that later on
for the clamor for treasury aid
continues. and the larger aspects OF
this kind of thing will be the burden
Of our domestic politics for years 10
/ happen to think that the refusal
was sound. and that no assent could
farmers and others for treasury aid
prices without violation OF both eco
Monies and morals. This belief was
shared by many Of the very .politi-
they said frankly that they did not
believe in what their constituents were
asking. but that they had TO 60 through
the motions for political reasons.
farmers. Just after Secretary Houston
issued this formal statement giving
his reasons for his refusal 10 do what
certain cotton raiSerS had demanded
he should do. the following letter was
written To him by a cotton farmer who
lives near the little town OF Forney.
Tex:
MIR. Secretary: I beg just one min
ute OF your time to express to you
my appreciation of your Answer TO
the Farmers as per inClused clipping.
Il am Il farmer--hare never been
anything else--nOr have | any inter-
est an anything else. l came here from
Appomatox and rode the old horse that
Gen. Grant. in the kindness Of his heart.
gave me. With Scooter plough, |
opened 4 furrOw. and my vile SoWeo
the seed. with the spring winds whip
ping her skirts. We made crop ana
have been at II ever since.
This yehr we Il always include
my children) have gathered over one
thousand bales of cotton. think !
know something of this business.
think | know all the ups and downs
Of farming. and I want TO say to you
this: ! had rather sell my cotton at
cents. rs | have often done. than to
have my government bankrupt by any
such foolish schemes.
THE trouble with the farmers Is
mainly cNtravaEance; can live on
what some of my neighhors pay for
gasoline W, only need to cut down
expenses and ~ work and not 10
depend so much on having 1t done.
Sincerely"
l tried to persuade Secretary iIous-
ton to let me print the name of thus
farmer who is so sound in mouis.
economics. and sentiment. Secretary
Houston did not feel nj liberty TO do
this But the ncighbors Of this farmer
in Forncy. Ten. ought to have no d'f-
ficulty in recognizing him. and some
one ought to see TO II that he gets
more than local glory.
Copyright, 1920. by y. \. Evening los''
Inc,