Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-12-06
PRESIDENT TO ASK AID FOR
FARMERS

Washington, Dec 6.-President
Harding today began the final draft
of his forthcoming message to Con-
gress, which will contain more recon-
mendations for relief OF the farmers
of the country than any Presidential
paper in recent history.
Conferences the President has
had with Eastern mad mid-Western
Congressmen, and the undeniable IN
resi- and dissatisfaction through the
rural sections as revealed in the NO
yember election, have combined to
convince Mr.. Harding that there Is
no problem quite so pressing as the
agricultural situation.
The President probably will go
to Congress on Friday, although the
exact hour has not been determines
His engagement to lunch WIN
Georges Clemenceau, the former
French ambassador. vii. prevent his
Going tomorrow. BY going on Fri
| day. the President will have the
benefit of last minute opinions OF
his CabineU on the message, when
: he plans to lay before the regula-
session that day
The seriousness Of the farmers
predicament may be cleaned from
the fact that President Harding re-
Gently has been informed that no
less than half a million farm moro
rages will be forecloSed during the
next wear unless some aid Is
speedily forthcoming. Credits and
better marketing facilities alone can
bring relief the President has been
told by his advisors and 1t Is upon
these two subjects chat Mr.. Hard
ing will place the burden of his mes
sage.
Coupled with the Presidents
recommendation on agriculture
relief probably win be d recon-
mendation for the lifting Of the i'm
migration bars to let in cheaper
labor" High prices for labor anc
low prices ror crops have been the
farmers chief source OF complaint
Industry in the cities has stripped
The farms of labor, and the onlS
salvation seen by the Administration
is to lower slightly the barriers that
are now keeping thousands Of immi
grants out of the country
There is a good deal of uncer-
tainty as to just how far the Presi'
dent will go in advocating change;
in the present immigration law
The Cabinet itself is divided on tn;
rueston-Secreta,y of the Treasur!
Mellon being for q pronounced re
vision of the law. and Secretary o.
Labor Davis being equally opposed
ia any appreciable revision.
1t is probable that Mr.. Harding
will treat other immediate problem
somewhat lightly in his message
not because of a desire to skip then
but because the short tine interven
ing between now and the expiration;
Of the present Congress and the
enormous amout of work ahead pre-
lludes nay ambitious program.
Railroad conditions, the prohibi
ton enforcement situation, the
merchant marine bill, these ono
others, will be only touched on II
passing because the President
realizes if Congress passes the mer.
chant marine bill and effects agrlcuI
tural relief, in addition to passing
the regular Appropriation bills, il
will have tn be kept in a continue
state OF perspiration until March 4
The President is still staunchly of
the opinion that there will be no
need OF a special session next sum-
mer Consequently the administra-
tion whips VIII endeavor to get out
of the way in the next four months
all Of the matters that would ncces-
state another session after March 4.