The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1921-09-13
ACRAR|AN BLOC !
IN THE SENATE
NON.PARTiSAN GROUP IN UPPER
HOUSE IS HELPING RESTORE
PROSPERITY 70 FARMERS.
KENYON is THEIR CHAIRMAN
Senator From Iowa Tells How Agricui-
tural Interests, Hardest Hit by the
War, Are in Great Need of Leeis-
iative Aid.
By EDWARD q. CLARK.

BY EDWARD B. CLARK.
Washington.-The American farmer
is having his day in the legislative
halls of the National capitol. Never
before has the voice of the agricul-
turist been so potent when it comes
to lawmaking. Why?
Because a group Of senators, with
out regard to party affiliations, who
hail from agricultural states banded
themselves together at the outset Of
the new congress fo- Tire purpose of
'aiding the farmer" The farmer had
been harder hit by the after-the-war
REIMBURSEMENT Of prices than any other
group or class in the country. %.,,@s
This group got together-each SEN
! ator intent upon doing the best for
the farming element-and determined,
first, upon an organization or: coali-
! ton, and, second, upon program Of
farm legislation. William Squire Ken
yon of Iowa was chosen chairman of
the meetings Of the agricultural
group.
Senator Kenyon is one Of the most
modest men in congress. He invari-
ably endeavors to put the soft pedal
upon any publicity about himself, and
when correspondent went to him in
search Of an interview regarding the
now famous agricultural bloc" Of the
senate, the first injunction laid upon
him by Senator Kenyon was that he
should not be set down as the head"
of the organization.
Bloc Without a Head.
"A number Of the senators, intent
upon aiding the farmer, have organ
lied this bloc as it has come to be
called" said Senator Kenyon. 1--WE
all of us have the interests of the ag-
ricultural class at heart-none more
so than any one of the others.
II noticed that one Of the newspa-
pers recently asked. who is this agri-
cultural blochead?'" said the senator.
with twinkle in his eye. LAS a
matter of fact, the bloc has no head"
Long before the organization of the
present bloc in the senate, Senator
Kenyon was engaged actively in leg
islative work to help the farmers.
He comes from one of the great farm
ing states Of the country, and one
of his great pleasures IS to get bacl;
home to the farmers picnics'
where he can talk to the people and
get their angle. He is farm owner
himself, though he says distinctly
that he does not wish to pose as a
farmer. He is a lawyer. But he lived
on a farm when he was boy, and
worked on farm. ::
''What was the need of the farmer
bloc ?"35r = :s.$s.,s
That's Il fair, enough question" re-
piled Senator Kenyon. "The farmers
of the country were in desperate con-
ditlon-they still are. They had suf-
fered more acutely than any other
body, due to the dehation after the
war. They are the backbone of the
country. They produce the food which
the whole country must have. 1t
was imperative that something be done
for them.
AT first there was an inclination In
some quarters to treat the farmer
group lightly. But senators from the
East now realize, that much depends
upon restoring prosperity to the farm
crs.' - W l$E ssSsf%
The farmer bloc @has never. had
more thnn % senators at it's meetings.
Senator Kenyon said. But it has
worked together so effectually that 1t
has forced measures for farm aid out
into the senate. and once these meas
Ures we're before the senate other SEN
ators have, perforce,H joined in their
support Its power was demonstrated
| in the session before the adjournment
for recess -. 81 ~ -..
Six Arllnetons Abroad.
Plans for care and maintenance
of the four cemeteries In France,
and one each in Belgium and
England, in which it is proposed to
concentrate all American war dead in
Europe, have been presented to Pres
ldent Harding by Charles Moore,
| chairman of the fine arts commission.
| The President is said to have ex-
pressed satisfaction with the plans ap.
proved by the commission, which were
drawn up after committee, headed
by Mr.. Moore, had visited the GENE
teries for, American dead in Europe
Mr.. Moore said he was entirely sat
isfied" with his visit to tho President
The six cemeteries jim which even
| tually all American war dead are to
be concentrated will all be similar in
design TO arlington, Mr.. Moore said
Unless we make them all little AR.
lingtons no one will know years hence
that American soldiers fought in
| France" he added. I
- Commissions Suggestions. q
The report approved by the com.
mission provides for three standard
principles in the American cemeteries
| in Europe and England. These are
small headstones, green grass and
shade trees in the cemeteries. awe
! are also asking for additional land
about these cemeteries at cost OF