Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-03
The Agricultural Bloc

IVE agriculture bloc in Congress
much merited praise, much unjusti-
fed criticism. 1t is hailed in some quarters
as development that will work incalculable
benefit to the nation as a whole through the
aid it will gain for the farmers; it is regard
ed in other quarters as an obstacle that
threatens the free play of party government
an obstruction that should be suppressed
by legislative enactment. The idea Of out
having the agricultural bloc or any other
legislative bloc that may hereafter develop
is so obviously absurd as scarcely to merit
comment. Any combination that is stron.
enough to shape general legislation certain
ly is strong enough to defeat any proposal
designed to put it out of business
Most of the criticism of the agricultural
bloc proceeds from hid bound Republi-
cans who are disturbed because bipartisan
organization in the two Houses Of Congress
has developed strength enough seriously to
interfere with the party program. But there
is nothing new about this situation. 1t does
not present new phenomenon in American
politics.
For years and years there have been, at
various times, coalitions in one the
other, or both of Houses Of Congress that
have influenced legislation. There was a
bipartisan pro-silver coalition and biparti-
san pro-gold coalition in Congress during the
period when the money question was para
mount, but arty government Outl1ved them
wore them down and they disintegrated.
Speaker Cannon and the old House re-
gime were overthrow few years ago by
a bipartisan bloc, overthrow despite an
overwhelming Kepubli IAN majority, yet par
ty government survived.
The reasonaDleness of it's demands is the
standard by which legislative bloc should
be judged. 1t should not be Condemned be-
cause it operates athWart party lines, nor
because it seeks primarily to protect and
promote the interest of particular group,
specially group whose protection and pro-
| motion will be reflected in improved condf-
| tions that will prove helpful to every class
| or our citizenship and to every community
| throughout the length and readth of our
| land.
| The agricultural bloc, which is proving
so troublesome to Republican party leaders
| seeking, as we underst md it, to gain for
| agriculture an equal economic chance with
| other industries. These benefits are not be-
| ing sought a. the expense of other industries,
and the program is calculated eventually to
prove helpful to every sort of activity, for
| we all know, agriculture is the basic form
Of production.
1t is well known that the farming bust
ness has never been organized and financed
along modern lines. 1t has proceeded with
out uniformity and with precious little en-
| couragement from the government. The
agricultural bloc aims, we are told, to pro
I
| operative marketing of farm products in
much the same manler as cooperative sell
ing of manufactured products is now per-
mitted The bloc desires to stabilize the
prices Of farm products to he end that
credit market for the producers may be
| developed.
! There is no room for argument as to the
| wisdom and Importance of giving to agrt
| cultural products a larger liquid value, and
| If end is achieved elevators and warehouses
must be provided, not by the government
but under such terms as will provide govern.
ment inspection that will insure honest grad
| ing and the Issuance of certificates which
can be made the basis of credit.
The program of the bloc does not con
template having the government finance the
far1 ers. 1t demands only tpat the govern
ment provide facilities that will cable the
+, farmers to finance themselves.
AS we view the matter, and in so far al
the agricultural bloc in Congress is working
! for the community end, the agitation for the
suppression Oh the coalition is wholly with
out merit. On the contrary, it strikes us
that the purpose Of the bloc is deserving o.
encouragement. It seems to us that it i!
only fair to agriculture and advantageous tt
| the country that the movement succeed.