The Washington herald., 1921-10-08
AGRARIAN BLOC
FIGHTS TO HOLD
ITS ADVANTAGE
Plans Senate Program
With Aim to Solidify
Membership.
by ROBERT J. BENDER.

There are times, 1t is stated on
highest official authority. that Pres
idest Harding is more interested in
agreement on a program than he is
in the details of the program itself
That accounts for the easy man.
ner in which administration leaders
in the Senate were able to reach a
working understanding with the
opposition" bloc on the taxation
program. Senator Lodge, il would
seem, was advised by Mr. Harding
that what the White House wished
was unity among the Republicans
and an agreement. On the details
of the program he was not so much
concerned.
Suspect Easy Compromise.
This same ease in reaching an un-
derstanding. however, has stirred
agrarian bloc leaders to what thev
regard as the danger" to their posi-
ton. They do not wish 10 be placed
in the position of being susceptible
to compromise, as charged by Ger
tain Senate Independents" who be-
lieve that the old guard is putting
il over" on the agricultural bloc.
For that reason a meeting of
both Democratic and Republican
members Of the bloc has been called
for the night. The purpose of
this meeting is to map out a pro-
gram of legislation for farmer re-
lief and to solidify the agrarian
bloc. Leaders of this element de-
clare there are forces trying to
| break US up" and those who are
standing firm in the group wish the
Senate and any other interested
parties to understand that. regard
less of some inroads into the bloc
II still is in the ring and as strong
as ever for set program.
Seeks support for Program.
This program. which will he dis
cussed at toniEht's session. involves
support by the agricultural bloc Of
the following:
The Capper cooperative market
ing bill. which has been passed by
the House:
The bill to pat representative
of agriculture on the Federal Re-
serve Board. which is opposed by
the administration;
The so-called truth and fabric
bill designed to help the woolen in
| dustry:
An appropriation to combat the
spread of tuberculosis among cat
| tie.
These, however, are measures of
| less Importance to the agrarian
bloc than the two big issues Upon
| which they are willing to force a
showdown. The bloc insists that
| freight rates be reduced in connec-
tion with the granting to the rail-
| roads of S500.OOO.000 for funding
purposes. which program is advo-
| Gated by the administration.
Aims to Cut Freight Rates.
In addition it demands-and be-
lieves it has assured-repeal of the
transportation tax in the revenue
| bill. Nevertheless it purposes TO
seek every possible means Of re-
ducing freight rates to help the
farming industry and this will be
one of the main subjects brought
up at tho Kenyon meeting.
The "solidification" of the bloc,
is required, they say, not only be-
cause of attempted inroads on the
bloc's present membership, but also
by evidences of new alignments to
combat it. Senators from Eastern
and manufacturing areas are
strongly opposed to the bloc's ad-
vocated increase in surtaX rates
from 32 to SO per cent and are op-
posed, as well, to the permanent
retention of the excess profits tax.
which some of the more radical in
surgents favor.
If bipartisan working ar
rangement is reached at the con-
ference, it will prove one of the
most important political develop
ments- in the Senate that has oc-
curred in wears