New-York tribune., 1922-01-26
Progressives
Bolt National
Farm Meeting
Council Insists Conference
Has Proved a Failure.
and Calls E|Rump Gath
ering'' for Tomorrow
Labor Forces Are Invited
Discomfort Grows Among
Delegates as Steam Roll.
err Methods Are Charged

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Only two
committee recommendations were
brought in to-day, the third day of the
National Agricultural Conference,
which was marked by denials and coun-
ter-denials Of charges that the dele
rates are "hand picked and that
steam roller" methods are being used
Tho favorable committee reports were
in approval of the St. Lawrence devel-
opment project and Ford's plan for
onerating the Muscle Shoals nitrate and
power plant.
The seriousness of the discomfort
~hieh has been growing among various
eroup interests brought q discussion
Of the malcontents' talk in the general
morning session. Governor J. NJ. Park
er Of Alabama, in an address, declared
he "hoped there is no foundation in
the rumors that this is cut and dried
dent and the Secretary of Agriculture
for their efforts to solve the problems
AZ agriculture with a conference free
from politics.
Some of the delegates want to pro
pose resolution approving the efforts
Of the agricultural bloc in Congress
to push legislation favorable to farm
srs, but in view of some opposition to
group politics among Administration
officials the feeling of the conference e
will be sounded out in private before
any such resolution is formally pre-
sented on the floor.
The lack of q resolutions committee
or other means of bringing before the
conference a number of questions that
some delegates believe are too vital to
be ignored Is declared to be one Of the
chief causes of the dissatisfaction pre-
should be taken on the farmer bloc
in Congress and on American represen-
tation at the Genoa economic confer
ence. These, and other questions in
Guiding that of having the government
fix prices, at least temporarily. on sta
pie commodities, should be thrashed
out, according to certain groups, which
are tonight threatening to break off
from the main conference.
Conference Termed Failure
J. S. Wanamaker. president of the
American Cotton Association. is one
Of the conference leade. who is de-
mandin9 a method be provided for put
ting before the conference matters not
now on the program.
The most radical agreement comes
from the Farmers National Council
which. in an announcement to- icht.
declares the conference "has proved
complete and unqualified failure, as far
as securing results is concerned, "and
that it has called trump conference
to be held next Friday. The announce
ment states:
0T E.,
and representatives. of farm organiza-
immediate legislation and measures
necessary to relieve agriculture and
secure for it modicum of prosperity
has been called" 1t adds that "all
progressive farmers and the other
great branch of the producers of
wealth, the labor forces of America.
have been invited to attend the con-
ference"
Despite these elements, however, the
conferences "correl lating committee" is
going ahead tonight with the work of
preparing committee agreements for
presentation to the general session to-
morrow.
The committee on transportation was
considering late this afternoon a pro-
posal asking for the repeal of the rate
guaranty clause of the Esch- -Cummins
act which provides the roads shall
receive a fixed percentage of return.
The plan includes lowering freight
rates by having the railways and labor
share equally the burden of defation.
Other proposals being thrashed out
before this committee call for merging
the Railway Labor Board and the In
terstate Commerce Commission to COM
pine the wage and rate fixing functions
OF the government and rehabilitation of
'ne state railway commissions.
Inc subcommittee on highways was,
reported to have reached an agreement
on a recommendation that the govern
ment program of Federal aid in road
construction be continued indefinitely.
Minimum Price Sought
a strong fight was made during the
afternoon in the committee on market
ing farm products to have it go on
record for government fixing of mini
mum prices on five commodities, wool.
cotton. wheat, corn and sugar, but only
!. mild agreement, which would ask
Congress to investigate the advisablity
OF such procedure. was reached.
One of the best received addresses
eeurlng the morning session was made
~ J.. NJ: Anderson, president of the
Equity Cooperative Exchange, of St.
PAUL, Mimi, who told the delegates
that the lend of our hard times will
not come until Germany is rehabili-
sated.' He declared that the United
States should have representation at
tne n Genoa conference and on the
Reparations Commission.
In regard to better prices and the
Permanent solution of the difficulties of
algrlculture in this country I believe
mat that solution lies in the rehablita-
tlon OF Europe. Europe is the great
customer for agricultural products.
Europe is the country to which we have
, 'Cio our products in the past. That is
~nere s,nere our customers live. Our chief
:1hlniculty now lies not in the fact that
mere are no customers. The customers
~ lfe there; they are willing TO buy;
:ney are willing to pay, but they have
not the wherewithal to meet these pay
nents. f'
E, Those things can only be settled by
me participation OF this country in the
'ettiements. l do not care what others
nay think. We were engaged in the
var var to help win it. We should not
.nfink the possibilities of restoring
peace That is not a criticism on our
resident or on our Congress. but a
lu'noIe suggestion to the government"