New-York tribune., 1922-12-24

Agricultural pfVoHSfo AHu W
a. far as possible, the commissions
and charges that are ezssted upon
sueh products from the time they leave
the producers until they reach the con-
sumer.
Bill Passed a. Remedy
II is not without interest that the
bill Is sponsored by Senator Norris Of
Nebraska, who is one Of the leaders Of
the Progressive bloc In the Senate
chairman of the Senate Committee
on Agriculture and who works in close
cooperation with the more aggressive
members Of the farm bloc.
The bill was reported out Of the
Committee on Agriculture with a
unanimous vote when II came to the
formal action and with but few Of the
committee disposed 70 oppose II on
tho floor Of the Senate. The ball and
the action Of the committee are in
dications Of the radical nature Of the
remedies which are seriously proposed
90 better agricultural conditions
Moreover, such remedies have power
ful support IN Congress, some OF It
from members who are ordinarily
moderately conservative.
Unmistakably, there is powerful
trend Of thought In Congress, growing
largely out Of the depressed conditions
in agriculture and tho demand Of the
farmers for relief, which fayors put
ting the government more and more
into business. This Is seen not only
IN the Norris bill, whereby q govern
ment corporation would buy and sell
food products, but in the bill which
is getting strong progressive and farm
bloc support in both Senate and
House, 90 have the government operate
the Muscle Shoals plant, instead Of
turning II over TO Henry Ford, and ir
certain symptoms Of a reeurrent move
ment for government ownership Of the
railroads, and also in the demand from
many Senators and House members
that the government keep its ships and
continue 20 operate them.
The same thing is 20 be seen in th'
sentiment in favor Of the government
taking over the coal mines and operat
ing them. While Il is not regarded a.
probable the government will do this
there is little doubt that when Con
eress comes 10 consider the report o
the Coal Commission some months
hence there will be insistent deman'
from many quarters 20 have the gov
eminent take the mines over and rul
them.
Important Feature Of Bill
One Of the important features Of th
Norris bill is provision that for th
purpose Of securing reduced rates 70
export shipments for any Of III
products in which the corporation
deals the corporation shall be give
authority 20 operate any Of the vessel
now owned by the United States whie
arc not chartered or leased to an
other person or corporation, FOR IN
purpose Of carrying any such product
20 foreign ports And provision
MADE for the giving Of such authorit
by tho President Of the United Stste
when in his judgment the business o
the corporation is sufficient 70 war
rant Il.
Authority exists in the bill for IN
sale Of products on credit. Senate
Norris believes that this corporation
especially in foreign countries, can sci
the surplus products Of the farmers 0
America on time, taking security there
FOR that will be ample, and then, upol
the basis Of the security 80 taken, is
sue its bonds and repeat the operation
until its bonds 20 issued equal hv
times the amount Of the paid il
capital
Senator Norris says the condition
among the farmers in many parts o
she country are horrible" He de
clsres some way must be found to OBJ
tain markets for the produce Of th
farmer. and while he Is for rurA
credits, more credit alone will no
solve the farmers troubles.
"The corporation provided for IL
this BILL" said Senator Norris In de
serlbing Il, "is IN effect a middlemaI
between the producer and the con
sumer, and Is intended 10 enable th'
farmers Of the United States 70 dis
pose Of their products without th'
necessity Of paying the commissions
enacted By agents and middlemeF
under existing conditions"
Holding that the farmers and pro
dueers get too little and the con
sumsrs pay too much. Senator Norris
believes bis bill would be in the in.
terest Of farmers and consumers AZ
wslI.