The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1921-08-11
WANTS RATES LOWERED
BY RAILROADS
Says That Better Service and
Lower Rate Adjustment
Would Aid Producer and
Consumer.

The following letter from Con
gressman Nelson, of Wisconsin ap-
peared in a recent issue of the
Washington Herald:
Responding to your request, wish
70 say that, in my judgment, some
of the most important matters be-
fore our country and Congress at
the present time are:
1. A proper readiustment of our
railroad service and freight rates,
so as to enable the producers of our
agricultural districts, as we'll as the
manufacturers in our industrial
centers, to transport their products
at a more reasonable cost, and to
help reduce the tremendous spread
existing today between the producer
and the consumer. This readjust-
ment is absolutely demanded by our
economic situation today.
2. Another important matter is
that o fthe tariff and foreign rela-
tions, with view of not only bring
ing in revenue, but to protect our
interests as a nation. Again, the
situation is one in which the in
terets of both the producer and
the consumer must be conserved with
a view of protecting our industries,
and yet not making the tariff rates
too burdensome upon the ultimate
consumers of our country.
Many of our industries had a
very prosperous foreign business be-
fore ten war, which today are not
selling any products at all to for
eign countries because Of the eco
nomic situation and the exchange
rates now existing in European
countries and because of the fact
that we have no foreign financial
program which adequate. In our
tariff legislation, as well as In our
foreign relations, we must be care
full to note that We have recently
passed from a debtor nation to q
creditor nation, and that we must
plan to build up foreign trade in
order to enhance our industrial anC
agricultural enterprises. OF course
our first concern is to conserve oul
home interests, / understand thai
we consume at home about 80 pei
cent of all our products as a nation
8. The revenue bill, or Fedora
taxation, is another very importan
measure and one that will require
the very best thought of Congress
We must mako some adjustments
here, but we must not do anything
that would shift the burden of tax
alton from the one who is bes
able to pay such taxes. Yet som,
arrangement must be made that vii
enhance business and agriculture
prosperity and productivity, and a
the same time will bring the nee
essary revenue to our Federal gov
ernment. Our aim should be tn
greatest prosperity and highest ef
ficiency in commerce, industry an
agriculture at the earliest possibl
date.
4. Aid to agriculture is anothe
very vital matter at the presen
time, as agriculture is the founda
tion stone of our entire financial an
industrial structure. The recen
amendment to the Federal farm loa
set. known as the Curtis-Nelson bill
is a step in the right direction. Tn
pending Clague-Kenyon bill maxim
the bond rate for the Federal Ian
banks an dthe joint stock land bank
51h per cent in place of per cen
until June 80, 1928, and, therefor'
in the nature of an emergency mea
sure, should be given serious cons
deration by congress at once and o
enacted into law. Legislation loo
ing to adequate credits for expoi
of farm products as well as for &c
mestic relief of agriculture is es
sential.
The correct operation Of the bu6
get system looking towards econt
NV and business efficiency, the n
duction of expenses an dthe elm
nation of all waste and extravs
gance in every bureau and depar
ment of the government.
5. A proper adjustment of our oil
legations as a nation to the vetel
ans of the world war, particular
adjusted compensation and the relic
for wounded and disabled shout
be effected at once. The Sweet bi