Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-13
General Dawes Cuts
Seed Distribution;
Opposition Expected
The Atlanta Journal News Bureau,
623 Riggs Building.
BY THEODORE TILLER

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-Briga-
der General Dawes, now director of
the budget, who came into additional
fame some months ago when he
"cussed out" an investigating COM
nlittee of the house that was prob.
ing the conduct of the war, has
taken another stab at the average
member of congress. The budget
he sends to congress carries not a
cent for the distribution of free gar
den seed" That members of con-
gress from the rural districts will
quickly entrench against General
Dawes is certain.
Slashing through the departmental
estimates and welding his carving
knife mercilessly, Director Dawes
shipped off the item of $360,000 for
free seed distribution. 1t is only
proper to say that his financial sur
gerry had the approval of Secretary
Wallace. The bureau of plant in
dustry, perhaps from force of habit,
included it in the estimates of the
department of agriculture, but it did
not get by the final arbiterS of the
budget.
The memory of the average mem
Der of congress does not go back to
the time when congress did not ap'
propriate for the distribution of veg.
etable and flower seeds under the
congressional frank. Members have
been elected to congress because
they sent out thousands of packages
of free seed. Members have failed of
election because they overlooked GER
tain constituents in the distribu.
ton, or because the supply ran out.
Now Director Dawes proposes that
mary a seed" shall be distributed
by the department of agriculture on
frank lists furnished by the con-
gressmen from the rural districts.
1t probably will make General
Dawes mighty unpopular with the
free seed legions of congress and
there is no doubt an effort will be
made to override the budget and ap.
propriate the 100000 anyway.
For several years past the "free
garden seed graft'-as its opponents
have called it-has beer in jeopardy.
In the past administration Secretary
Meredith thought it time to stop
the practice, but congress overrode
him and put in the item. However,
O budget system was not in opera
ton then and Director Dawes and
the present secretary OF agriculture
are more strongly fortified Agree
ing to the elimination of the $3.50, 600
estimate of the bureau of plant il
6ustry, Director Dawes and Secre.
tary Wallace say that the depart
ment thinks the congressional dis
tribution of free garden and flower
seed:
"Can be dispensed with and with
out material sdetriment to the agri-
culture of the country. 1t is recon-
mended the item be eliminated and
the funds thereby saved devoted to
prosecution of urgently important
investigattonal work on problems of
crop production which will yield re.
suits of more direct practical value"
An uprising among the rural mem.
bers of congress, and particularly
of the house, may be expected as
soon as the full meaning of this
Dawes thrust goes home in the
breast of the country congress-
men," In years past members have
figuratively Wept while supporting
garden seed appropriations. Oratori
cal regulations have been made
through the subject and more than
one eloquent legislator has moved
the house to emotional outbursts by
paying tribute to the toiling farmer,
his yine-clad cottage, his little chill
dren playing around the front door
and a home and garden made both
beautiful and productive because OF
the garden and flower seed con
gressmen have sent out under their
fyor0lyS