The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1922-02-10
WASHINGTON NEWS LETTER,
tExclusive to the Pioneer Expressly

CnI1stopherson bills to revive the
United States Grain Corporation
continued throughout the week be-
fore the House Committee on Agri-
culture with North Dakota men ia
king leading part in the drive for
fixed-price legislation,
Congressman George M. Young
addressed the committee on Monday,
and with Representative Sinclair,
who is member Of the committee,
opened the argument in favor Of le-
Eislation to stabilize the market for
farm products. Mr.. Young stressed
the dire extremity to which the far
ners of the nation have been .redu-
eed, urging an immediate effort to
put the producer upon a cost-plus
basis. In discussing possible steps
which might be taken, Young de-
elared that both the Christopherson
and Sinclair bills had admirable fea-
lures and suggested that a compo-
site Of the bills might lead to an ac-
ceptable solution.
In brief the Sinclair bill would re-
establish the Federal grain corpora
tion, coupled with guarantee-price
upon certain grains. This guarantee
slause would be in effect for five
years. The bill proposed by Repre-
sentative Christopherson of South
Dakota would effect a permanent
guarantee policy.
Congressman o. B. Burtness, who
appeared on Tuesday in favor of
price-ixing, declared that the guar
antee clause in the committee bill
should include three staple products,
wheat, corn and cotton. Such a pro-
position would not only benefit gen.
orally the farmers of the south and
west but would likewise draw the vo-
ting strength of such agricultural
districts in those sections.
In advocating guarantee policy
Congressman Burtness made it clear
that he favored such governmental
action only as a temporary relief
policy to meet an extraordinary en-
ergency such as is now existant. Ad-
mitting the guaranteeing of profits
to any business or industry as econo-
nically unsound under normal con-
litions Mr.. Burtness sought to show
that the present situation is decided
" abnormal and that without some
drastic relief legislation the farmer
faces economic ruin.
Burtness suggested that emergen-
cy legislation be Immediately passed
authorizing proper government ag-
ents to determine the reasonable
cost Of production Of such crops as
wheat, corn and cotton for the next
two years, and that the government
be authorized to buy the export sur
plus of such years before the crop
for the year following should be pla-
sed upon the market. In the case of
wheat the purchase might be made in
May, June and July following each
harvest, the local price to the farm
er to be the fixed price less carriage
charges to the time Of purchase.
Stating that grain is now being
sold considerably below cost Of pro-
duction Congressman Burtness en-
phasized that credit would not be ex-
tended for the coming season by pru-
dent bankers and business men un-
hess it could be shown that continued
operations would not result in addi-
tional loss.
e. B, Page of Leeds, North Dakota
who spoke in favor of guarantee-le-
gislation before the agricultural con-
ference, also appeared before the
House committee to urge immediate
action.
While recognizing the good efforts
of the War Finance Corporation to
aid the agricultural industry Mr..
Page told the committee that further
credit might be extended to no good
end unless It was assured that the
farmer would be able to operate on a
cost-plus basis during the coming
crop year. Page frankly described
the farmers plight from the view
point of an actual producer, declaring
that the agricultural industry would