The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-09
FARM FEDERATION
 URGES ENACTMENT
 MUCH LEGISLATION
Body Also Expresses 0pposi- ton to "DefIation Policy" of Treasury Department and
 Federal Reserve Board
By Associated Press

By Associated Press
 Indianapolis, December s.-Enact- ment of a legislative programme, in- cluding changes in the tariff, the in- come tax, the Esch- -Cummins transpor- new measures was asked of Congress today by resolutions adopted at .he annual convention of the American Farm Bureau federation. President elect Harding also was requested to appoint a secretary of agriculture who has practical understanding of all phases of farming. Among the poli- cies enunciated by the resolutions was the federation's opposition to strikes and lockouts.
 Further, the resolutions declared the federation's opposition to what it said seemed to be the policy of the treasury department and the federal reserve board for deflation, and the request was made that bankers and merchants extend farmers obligations to secure Immediate relief from the present eco- homie crisis" confronting the farmers. In this connection. the resolutions said;
 We are opposed to the policy of drastic and precipitate deflation, mich seems to have been instituted by cur federal reserve board and our treasury department, and look upon 1t as Ian gerous to the best interests of the en- tire nation during the present crisis. Reasonable contraction was nee sssary but drastic deflation as now praettced has caused widespread disaster.
 ASK BANKS COOPERATION
 We request the sincere cooperation Of all banking institutions in our ef- fort to get immediate relief from tile present economic crisis by the exten- sion and renewal of farmers obliga- tions in order that there may be order ly marketing of this years crops"
 The adoption of the resolution which was announced was by unanimous vote, preceding the closing session to- night, at which officers were elected Announcement also was made tonight of the appointment of a committee to meet with bankers, merchants and pub lie officials at Chicago Friday to con- slider the organization of a S1OO, ,000, 900 export trade corporation und er the Edge act.
 During discussion of the resolutions, 10. H. Cunningham of Ames, Iowa, chairman of the resolutions committee, said that the export corporation was not indorsed by the committee beca,lse it will be private institution, in which connection he also stated that the resolutions similarly were silent as to joint stock land banks
 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
 The legislative programme asked of Congress immediate enactment of a new tariff law, simplification of the income tax law with a provision pre- venting treasury officials from making interpretative rulings as to the laws applications; law assuring farmers cf unrestricted right to bargain collec- lively; federal control of all interstate agencies dealing in grain products and meat; enactment of the truth in fabrics bill; legislative prohibition of short selling in agricultural products, and amendment of transportation act so as to preserve state regulation of intra- state commerce and car movement. The resolutions also declared opposition to any daylight saving law.
 In the declaration of priciples of the federation the resolutions included re- quests and, demands upon several fed eral agencies. as well as the reference to strikes and lockouts. Sympathy was expressed for the laborings man, but the resolutions said, i've are unalterably opposed to organized strikes and sym pathetic lockouts which. interfere with the orderly conduct of business"
 The department of justice was asked to delay approval of any plan for dis posing of the stockyards owned by the Chicago packers until federation com mttee might consider all proposed plans. The federal trade commission was asked to stop the practice If the steel industry passing prices on, Pitts burg quotations plus freight rates. The interstate commerce commission was asked to give preferential freight rates on agricultural fertilizer.
 Protest also was voiced by the -eso- lutions against guaranteeing a fixed return to public utilities and railroads on cost plus basis" in which it was asserted that the interstate commerce commission fixed the valuation of the railroads of the country at $5,000, poo, : '600 more than their commercial alue, causing s'an unjust imposition on the American people,"
 Construction of the great lakes to- the -deep-sea deep waterways also was favored by the resolutions.