Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-04-28
CONFIDENCE FELT
IN FARMER RANKS
ARRETT SAYS THE GOVERNMENT
WILL DO EVERYTHING POSI-
BILE TO MEET DEMANDS
BARRETT WANTS CONFERENCE
Thinks Congress Will Act Promptly
On A Number OF Bills That Will
Help The Farmer

WashingtOn.-Satisfie that the pres
Ident will take such steps as will re
suit in a reduction of freight rates
and that congress will get busy toward
passing farmer legislation, more than
three hundred farmers who have been
in Washington for several days attend
ing the convention of the National
Farmers Union, left the city for their
homes.
Charles S. Barrett, president of the
organization, who left for Georgia,
said everything indicated that the gov
eminent would do all possible to meet
the demands of agriculture for freight
reductions. He said that in congress
there was particularly friendly feel
ing; that he had talked with scores
of men in both branches of the nation
al legislature and found a very gen.
eral desire to do something substan-
tial to relieve the present situation.
Il have reason to feel that con-
gress will act promptly on a number
of bills now before it and l feel that
the president, the interstate commerce
anu OIuGI dSGuCl6S Will
take up the question of a reduction
in freight rates and bring about some.
thing substantial in that direction"
said Mr.. Barrett. I'VE have asked the
government to act quickly and give us
such temporary relief as will justify
the country in entertaining the hope
that a permanent adjustment will very
speedily follow.
Il have talked to scores of men in
both branches of congress and | have
found not one who was indifferent to
the problems now before that country.
All professed a dep interest in agr-
culture and none refused to admit that
on a satisfactory settlement of this
question depends the future prosperity
of the nation.
There seems to be a disposition
in congress to ignore party lines. All
our friends on both sides of the two
houses appear to want to act in con-
cert. | hope l have correctly read |
this disposition and accurately inter |
preted the desires of the statesmen |
with whom l have conversed on this
subject"
Mr.. Barrett said he hoped that the
preside tnwould see his way clear to
call a conference of spokesman for
all the great interests, including la
Dor. If this conference is called, the
farm union labor leader said he was
sure at least, that a basis for the
settlement of questions now irritat-
ing the country would be found.
Congressman Campbell chairman of
the rules committee of the house, said
he had information which inclined him
to believe that the president would
submit the farmer memorial to the
cabinet. Mr.. Campbell said he was
sure that the president was impressed
by the showing made by the farmers,
and that the matter suggested would
be earnestly considered.
Mr.. Barrett said he had every reason
to believe that the grain men and the
cotton men would work together for
the purpose of eliminating evils that
both branches of the farm industry had I
long complained of. He said the bill
Of L. B. Jackson. making it felony ;
to sell cotton unless the actual staple !
is in sight, would receive the support
Of grain farmers everywhere.