Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-10-25
FARMERS WILL
ASK WILSON To
GUST HOUSTON
Issue to Be Forced and
Cabinet Split is
Possible.
MEREDITH ARRAYED
WITH FARMERS
Secretary of Agriculture and Treas
ury Head Disagree Over Question
of Extension of Credit. to Asrieui-
turists-President Expected to Up
hold Houston, One Of His Cabinet
Favorites, as Against Meredith.
[By e. g. Dougherty.]


Washington, Oct. 25.-Secretary OF
Agriculture Meredith. espousing the
cause of the American farmer, and
Secretary of the Treasury Houston
who apparently is unconvinced tha,
the farmer needs more credit, are
to be the center of an interesting con-
troversy in the Presidents official
family as one of the outcomes Of o
big meeting of farmers organizations
to be held here next Thursday.
The scalp of Secretary Houston is
to be the target the farmers repre-
sentatives will shoot at over the
question OF more liberal farm credits
1t was said today at the headquarters
of the national board Of farm organi-
zations that last weeks protest meet
ing, following which the federal re-
serve board and Secretary Houston
turned down the request of the far
mers, will rank as sideshow in
comparison with next weeks meeting
of farmers representatives. Every
organization Of tillers of the soil will
be represented and all delegates will
be In war paint for q real war dance
The organized farmers propose tc
force the adrninisIral ton to a show
down. Unless the treasury depart
ment yields at least to some degree
the program now proposed is to de-
mand of President Wilson that he
remove Secretary Houston as an enc
my of the farmer. The Georgia Sec
tion Of the cotton growers organiza-
tion already has requested Houston's
resignation. Similar opposition is eX-
pected to be taken by other organi-
cations Of producers.
Meredith Forced to Take Sids.
The speech Of Secretary Of Agri-
culture Meredith before the Ameri-
can Bankers Association here last
week has encouraged the farm or
ganization officials who have de-
clared war on Secretary Houston.
Forced to take sides by an appeal di-
rect to the president, it is believed
Secretary Meredith will agree with
the farmers that they are entitled to
more consideration from the federal
reserve board and Houston.
Secretary Meredith told the bank
ers that the farmers must be able to
borrow more money. But farmers and
bankers agree that the banks can do
little in the way of relief so long as
the present policy is maintained by
the federal reserve board. Therefore,
the farmers argue, Secretary Mere
dith certainly will stand with them
If they force the administration into
a corner.
Wilson to Stand by Houston.
None Of those back of the move
ment against Secretary Houston,
however, believe that the president
will pay any attention to demand
for his removal. The president is a
great admirer Of the secretary Of the
treasury. In the past he has stood
by his appointees under fire and
there is no reason to believe he will
not do so In the case Of Mr. Hous-
ton.
In fact the president transferred
Mr.. Houston from the department of
agriculture to the treasury depart
ment when the former secretary Of
agriculture was being severely criti-
cised. When Houston was removed
from agriculture and placed at the
head Of the treasury. the formers,
while not entirely satisfied, were ap-
peased because Mr.. Meredith, a man
in sympathy with their problems, was
made the new secretary OF agricul-
ture. At that time, however, the ques-
ton of credits was not such live
one. and there was no fear that Mr..
Houston as head Of the federal treas
ury would cause them so much grief
as he has turned out to do.