The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-09
MARKETING BILL IS
PASSED IN SENATE
Measure Designed to Aid Agri-
i cultural Interests and Pressed
by the Farm Block.
tBy The Associated press,

WASHINGTON, Feb. S.--The House
Cooperative Marketing bill, mea-
sure designed to aid the agricultural
interests, and pressed by the farm
bloc, was passed by the Senate late
today. Only one vote, that of Senator
Gerry, democrat, of Rhode Island, was
cast against the measure.
Two other senator's, Brandegee, re-
publican, Connecticut, and King, DEM
ocrat, Utah, were paired against the
measure and withheld their votes. The
vote was IS to 1 and the Senate's ac-
ton was regarded by some as the
most sweeping OF the victories yet at
tanned by the farm bloc since, in ac-
cepting the House bill, the Senate
OVERRIDE its own judiciary committee
which had reported a substitute mea-
sure. The substitute was defeated Sc
TO A. The bill now goes to conference
for adjustment of differences with the
House.
AS passed by the Senate the bill re-
tains the provisions which relieve the
cooperative associations from the ap-
plication Of laws prohibiting trusts or
unfair business practices, placing the
authority to determine when such have
agriculture. The Senate substitute
would have made the association
amenable to the present laws, and it
was around this point that debate re-
vo1ved in the week the subject was be-
fore the Senate.
During the closing hours OF debate
today, reference was made to the bloc's
power. This brought from Senator
Norris, republican, Nebraska, the
statement that he had heard the bill
had administration support.
''It is the first time in many months
that the majority has come over to
my side.' he added, ut happens so al
mighty seldom that feel must make
note of It. May be the administration
is behind this bill. If this Is so then /
am glad they have come over into the
same wagon with me. Whether they
came because of me or in spite OF me,
do not know, but I welcome them
here"
The most important OF the amend
ments accepted by the Senate was one
providing shat the associations shall
not deal in products of non-members
to en- amount greater in value than
such as are handled by 1t for mem
bers."
This, It was explained, makes it i'm
possible for cooperative associations
TO be stolen" by a group of individuals
who merely by declining to admit new
members resolve themselves into a
closed corporation. Without the
amendment, the group would be able,
according to senators, to engage in
competitive trade, buying other farm
ar's products to an unlimited extent.
The amendment limits any association
in the handling of the commodities Of
non-members so that what was des-
cribed as a throttle OF local business
could not be, obtained.
Other important provisions 70 the
bill prescribe that no member OF an
association may have more than one
vote in directing its activities regard
less of the amount of stock he holds,
nor can any association pay dividends
on stock or membership capital In ex-
cess of eight per cent, year.
With respect to the authority grant
ed the secretary Of agriculture to con-
troll attempts to monoponze or restain
trade, the bill provides that notice of
charges OF alleged violations must be
served on the offending association
Ind 1t must be given an opportunity to
1efend itself. IF found guilty of the
charges the secretary of agriculture
may order the association to cease and
desist. And In event of its failure to-
do so, the case then may be referred
10 the federal courts for enforcement
of the order and the filing OF such de-
crees as the court deem equitable.