The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-10-18
FARMERS BLOC
DOMINATE SENATI.
After Victory in E 'c'v'i133 IT, IT,,
Turn to Freight Rats,
QUICK TO TAKE k0Vkfi i. {
Bring Pressure to Gear on Inter5ta+s
Commerce Commission to
Agricultural Products.

Agricultural Products.
Washington, Oct. 1I.-Enlb,1GC'.
by its repeated Victories in CO.
the farmers bloc is looking frr B.
worlds to conquer.
After forcing tie ssn..>s- !.a&Hce rO'.
mittee to scrap lis original draGt =
the revenue bill and accept a SUb-sj
tute, abolishing the tax levieS which
are unpopular in the alfalfa districts
the agrarian bloc has turned to IL
question of freight rates on farm p,
ducts 1t is understood that one e.
the demands on the administrator
made by this group is that sufficient
pressure be brought tC bear on tlit
interstate commerce commission to i'll
sure immediate freight rate reductions
on hay, wheat, corn, barley and Other
grains.
Members of the Interstate commerce
commission feel that rate reductions
should not be forced on the carriers
too rapidly, and that the rate ami
wage questions are interviewer.
In this connection the visit of Presi-
dent Harding and members Of the rail,
road labor board to the offices Of the
commission on Saturday is significant
The farmers bloc is organized large
ly on sectional lines and its member,
ship is chiefly concerned with these
questions as they affect the west, and.
in some instances, the south. 1t has
a well-defined program and is driving
ahead with great energy. Holding tbs
balance of power in congress, and es.
pecially in the senate, 1t is in position
to bargain with administration lead,
erS on its own terms. On the rate
question, it has additional leverage
from the fact that it is holding up the
railroad funding bill in the senate.
and in order to secure this legislation
the railroads may be forced TO make
rate concessions. President Harding
has indicated that the funding bill
enactment is a condition to returning
nOrmality.
The great drive" of the farmers OF
congress represents new departure.
Until recently, the farmers had little
voice at Washington, but, taking a leaf
from the book Of the Anri-Salonp
League and the American Federation
of Labor, the agriculturiStS have SET
up strong Hobbies in the national capi.
tai. The Farmers National Council
the National Grange, the National
Board of Farm Organizations and the
American Farm Bureau Federation
maintain Washington headquarters
with officers in charge drawing sala.
ries ranging from $4,000 per annunl
paid to Gray Oliver, of the American
Farm Bureau Federation, down tC
$4,000 per year received by Ben c.
Marsh, of the Farmers National Coun-
Gil.
The agricultural bloc not only is
''bosSing the job" on Capitol Hill, but
it pulls a big oar with the White
House.
The executive has begun to find oul
that he cannot disregard this element
without the risk "f having his legis'
lative program completely blocked. In
the minds of many on the inside"
the removal of Senator Lodge from the
legislative sphere for considerable
period by appointment on the arma,
ment commission was brought about
by the kick Of the agricultural repre-.
sentatives against Lodge. They OBJ,
iected to the Massachusetts senator
because he was out of sympathy with
them, and even went so far as to init
mate that he was too snobbish II
maintain personal relations with tn
alfalfa senators.