The New York herald., 1922-01-18
BLOC MAKES SENATE
PLACE dirt FARMER
ON RESERVE BOARD
OF Y Members Present Only
Nine Reject Dictation
of Group.
LOBBY FULL OF GLEE
New York Senators Vote
Against Injection of
Class System.
NEW DRIVE BY FACTION
NEW DRIVE BY FACTION
Agriculturalists Plan to Con-
troll National Conference
Called by Harding.
BY LOUIS sEIBoLD.

by LOUIS sEIBOLD.
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Her,ld Bureau.
washington, ID. G., Jan. II.
A vote in the Senate this afternoon
to place farmer on the Federal Re-
serve Board developed the fact that OF
the seventy-two members present
sixty-three desired to be politically
catalogued as dirt farmers"
Representatives Of several agricul-
tural combinations which exercise
more or less influence in Western and
Southern politics. who thronged the
Senate galleries and afterward re-
paired to their expensive hotels in
their automobiles, are expressing to-
night their complete satisfaction with
the manner in which their bloc is TAX
ing charge of Congress.
The showing made by the mon
partisan agricultural bloc" was almost
as impressive as some achievements
OF the Anti-Saloon League. The first
actual test Of the bloc's power pro-
vided unmistakable evidence of the
thoroughness with which the dirt
farmers have set about the business
of debating to the executive and legis-
lative branches Of the Government.
Party Leadership Superseded.
Tho promoters of the bloc to all in
tents and purposes have superseded
rarty leadership in both departments
and their extraordinary success has
encouraged them to predict a profit
able season during the remainder of
the session. 1t is not improbable that
the heads of the farm organizations,
who have combined forces to MAIN
tain the most powerful lobby now at
the national capital will make an ef-
fort to control the national agricul-
tural conference called by Presid. .,nt
Harding to meet here next Monday.
The purpose OF this conference is to
devise ways and means for stimulat-
ing agricultural interests. The Presi-
dent called the conference before the
agricultural bloc in Congress ignored
his request for a free hand in making
appointments to the Federal Reserve
Board and forced him to accept a
compromise" which was made effec-
tive by an overwhelming majority this
afternoon.
Leaders of the non-partisan Con-
gressional bloc viewed the calling Of
the national conference in the nature
OF challenge. They Immediately de-
cided to give an exhibition of their
power by pressing the bill making II
on the President TO appoint
n dirt farmer" to the first vacancy
on the Federal Reserve Board.
Bloc Promoters' Victory.
The compromise reached between
the President and the leaders OF the
hloc yesterday expanded the provisions
of the Federal Reserve measure to In
ciude agricultural, industrial and COM
mercial interests. squarely upholding
the point Tor which the promoters OF
Senator's and Representatives who
have resisted the pressure brought
upon them by the agricultural lobby
expect the bloc will make an attempt
to capture the national agricultural
conference and manipulate 1t to har-
monizc with their own plans.
Secretary of Agriculture Wallace
to-day that dirt farmers"
will constitute more than half Of the
OF delegates to the conference.
which Is to be opened by the Presi-
dent in person. Two-thirds of the re-
delegates will be representa-
tives Of State agricultural depart
ments. State colleges and editors of
farm periodicals. There will be twen-
ty -four women delegates.
The professional agricultural lobby
lists. who at first regarded the con-
ference called by the President with
disfavor. appear to have been con-
verted to the belief that they will have
no trouble in heading off any program
that does not concede the maximum
Of special privileges they are demand
Ing from their Congressional sympa-
lhizers and supporters.
The vote by which the Federal Re-
Continued on Page Seven.