South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-19
ACTIVITIES AMONG THE FARMERS
JamesIE
Edited by James Hines.
How Agricultural Bloc" Was
Formed to Protect the Farmer
Senator Tells Inside History

be discussed and that no question OF
legislation should be considered
from a political point OF view
IL was stated that the objects were
not 10 control or dictate to the SEN
ate. but TO see TO Il that the great
west. the agriculturists OF that sec
ton received a square deal The
members pledged themselves TO fight
for the interests OF the agricultural
west without penalizing the east or
any other section.
Tariff was not considered. because.
although an economic question. il is
saturated with politics The west
and one-half OF the south il for
reasonable protection. and the sena-
tors at the first meeting decided
10 let the tariff alone, permitting
each member 70 vote as he pleased.
Held Open Meetings.
When the press revealed the first
secret meeting and dubbed the or
sanization the agricultural bloc. -
the members said they might just
as well meet in the capitol and have
open meetings This they did. in
Vting such men as Sec'y Mellon,
Sec'y Hover. Barney Baruch and
many others 10 attend and talk
over matters"
Soon the agricultural bloc" be-
came a fixed institution, meeting
every Saturday night and rejecting
the sentiments Of the people in a
dozen or more western and southern
states. largely agricultural. The
! senator emphasized, that II was not
a movement hostile 70 the east, al
! though some Of our states are jealous
| OF the long-standing predominance
Of the east in matters Of legislation. "
! These senators demand a flair deal
I for their constituents. 1t was point
/ ed out, that the movement is abso-
] lutely politician Confirming
\ the assertion, the senator declared
/ that a recent meeting was attended
/ by nine democrats and FIVE republi-
cans. with several republicans alb
: sent. The strength OF the bloc" is
/ about 20; sometimes 21 votes. These
senators call themselves progress
sive." as distinguished from "re-ac-
/ tionary' the same align
ment which appears on the political
/ horizon in 1911 and 1912.
The first opportunity for a test OF
strength came when the revenue tax
bill was reported TO the senate The
main point OF contention was over
the reduction Of the excess profits
taxes the ira importation taxes com
ing next in Importance. The agri-
cultural "bloc" opposed a reduction
OF the excess profit taxes, since they
tend 20 maintain high freight rates
for the farmer
Political Effect Discussed.
Possible effect Of the bloc" on
the next congressional election is al
ready causing wide speculation. II
/ presents a rather embarrassing and
complicated situation, said the sena-
tor member. involving leadership in
the senate and party divisions The
/ former. IL is believed. will take care
Of itself provided leadership is sub
/ ordinate 10 principles. The latter
however. IL was pointed out, is a
| matter which the majority party car
alone determine. Division is the one
and only thing the majority leaders
fear ii Is said and the course Of the
agricultural block I'm the senate
It's attitude on important questions
and the skill with which the old
4 line leadrs meet the situation vii.
determine the future Of the domin-
ant party and the political complex
ion OF the next house of representa-
tives. it is conceded by political
wiseaCres