Evening star., 1921-06-05
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.


ing to a greater extent In the
national Congress Of the
United States than ever before. in the
present effort to save something out
Of the reconstruction and readjust-
ment following tho war. The solidi-
fication of the various groups OF SEN
ators and representatives represent
ing this or that interest has brought
about the use Of a term which hither-
to has been largely confined to the
parliamentary bodies of European ma
tions-the "bloc." Today 1t is a fire.
quently used expression when refer
tural bloc, the anti-Japanese bloc. etc
Party leaders are viewing this
formation of hlocs representing vari-
Gus interests with no little amaze
ment and considerable disgust. 1t is
said. Not unlikely the republican
leadership is more disconnected by
this tendency than the democratic,
owing to the fact that the republicans
hold an overwhelming majority in
both houses and tho responsibility
falls upon them for legislation.
Akricultural Bloc Formidable.
The agricultural bloc has per-
fected an organization that makes it
especially formidable. In this bloc are
republicans. near republicans and
democrats, all aligned to fight for
legislation which they believe will be
in the interests of the farmer. 1t has
drawn the south and the west close
together. leaving the New England
and middle Atlantic states-the manu-
featuring states-to fight for them
selves
It may be mentioned in this connec-
ton that members Of Congress who
have given the matter consideration
foresee q struggle from now on be-
tween the agricultural sections of the
bulk Of the manufactured articles. It
is inevitable that there should be a
clash Of interests. they say. since the
worker in the factory must buy what
the farmer produces. and. on the other
hand. the farmer must buy what the
factory worker makes.
Demand Voice IN Tariff.
In the past. when it came to enact
ing tariff laws, the farmers. or rather
their representatives in Congress,
have pleaded in vain for more ample
= protection upon their products and
for lower rates Of tariff on the arti-
cles which they must buy. There
seems little doubt that the man
ufacturing Interests have had the
best Of 1t. But the farmers intend to
SEQ that this is changed from now on.
For instance. the recently enacted
emergency tariff bill was designed
particularly to aid tho farmerA And
when 1t comes to the enactment of
the permanent tariff law, the same
strong group in Congress will be
found supporting high duties on farm
products and the lowest possible du-
ties on the goods the farmer has to
purchase. On the other hand, men
who hail from manufacturing centers
may be expected to take up the cud-
gels for the men and women who
have to buy food and buy it as cheap
ly as they can
Incidentally, this effort to obtain
better results for the farmer is
breaking up the democratic align
ment On the question of protective
tariff. Southern democrats from ag-
ricultural sections have refused to
be bound by tho party policy Of tariff
became apparent republican protec-
tionists rejoiced- But in view of the
close cooperation now developing
between the agricultural south and
the agricultural west those republic
can high protectionists are not now
so strongly convinced but what they
have aided and abetted an alignment
that will give them trouble In the
future when they ask for cheap food
and high tariffs on manufactured
articles.
westernefs Wen Organized.
The agricultural bloc is by no
means the only one.
The senators and representatives
from the Pacific coast states have
formed an anti-Japanese immigration
bloc that is organized efficiently,
with an executive committee headed
by Senator Hiram Johnson of Cali
fornia. At present this particular
bloc is going through a period of
"watchful waiting" but it is expect
ed that if anything comes before the
country or the Pacific coast states in
which the Japanese question is in
volved this organization in Congress
will become very active.
While there has been no definitely
organized labor bloc in either the Senate
or the House. there is no doubt
that strong groups of labor supporters
are to be found. In fact. they demon
strate their power whenever any legis-
.lation comes up in which labor is inter-
ested, either as the party to be bene-
fitted or the party which might be hurt
by the proposed legislation.
The disarmament bloc. the men who
are demanding that steps be taken
without further delay to bring about
some international agreement for a re-
tluction in ornaments, with a conse-
.guent lessening Of tax burdens upon the
peoples of this and other nations. is
becoming more and more effective and
more and more solidly knit. Opposed to
them are the men who believe that the
only insurance against war and for the
preservation of peace is TO be found in
q big army and navy. 's.sr'
Trying to Break Up Bloc.
1t may be mentioned in this connec-