The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1923-02-22

been MADE D1 thS
nm TO the present time, and those IN
charge seem to be able to give very
l;ttle information, so the committee u
unable to state just how much prom
tho government made out Of hannnns
the farmers wheat during the war.
It was brought to the attention Oh
the committee that while this govern
ment ceased purchasing wheat May y
1920. the English government con-
t;nued ;ts bonus to the farmers OF
Great Britain for the crop of 1921
two years after the United states
Grain Corporation ceased operations
in this country. Australia also con
tinued her guaranty on farm products
until December 81, 1921.
A witness for labor organizations ap-
peared before the committee and testi-
fled that he was there to represent
labor organizations, and that the Ia
boring men in this country were IN Ia
yor of this measure, and that they
wanted to see the farmers of the coun-
try treated fairly, and were satisfied
that they had not received fair price
in the last three years for many OF
their agricultural products
The committee attention was
called to the fact that with great care
congress gave to the railroads guar
anty for six months after the railroads
we've turned back to the owner equal
to the amount earned during the test
period for three years previous to fed
eral control, and that two years after
the Esch- Cummins bill was passed the
commission was forced to fix rates
that would earn. the railroads 51a per
cent and one-half of l per cent for
betterment, with privilege of earn
ing 6 per cent and the right to retain
half of any amount earned above o
per cent.
The committee understands that on
May l, 1922, the Interstate Commerce.
Commission continued the provisions
of the Esch- Cumnins act and 5& per
cent was the rate fixed for the rail-
roads to earn on valuation of $751;
100000.
The committe was reminded that the
government had not only stabilized
the price of railroad labor and rail-
road freight rates, but that the Pitt
man Act, stabilizing the price of SILVER
at 81 an ounce, was passed on April
%, 1918. Under that act the govern
ment must still purchase 100000
ounces of domestic silver which it is
estimated to be full years produc-
tion of the silver mines of the United
States, so the Pittman Act will con-
tinue in force and stabilize the price
of silver at 81 an ounce until some
time in 1924.
The committee was reminded tina.
the senate is now considering bill
for the substituting of our merchant
marine.
Facts were submitted showing that
every year this government is forced
to pay out of the treasury $72,000,-
600 more than it receives for carry
ing second-class mail. 1t was stated
that the government pays $150,OO0 ev-
cry week for carrying the Saturday
Evening Post throug the mail, and
that it costs the government $780,
600 more annually to distribute that
magazine to its readers than the own
ers pay to the government for its
Transportation.
The attention of the committee was
also directed to the fact that congress
has just appropriated $56,0O0,OO0 for
rivers and harbors.
The committee was also reminded
that at the present time the govern
ment is furnishing money to member
banks of the Federal reserve at dis
count of Az per cent, which in turn
is loaned to the farmers at an interest
rate of IL per cent.
The committee believes that the
condition of agriculture to-day, and
especially the wheat growers, is the
result of the increased cost of pro-
duction, of labor, and freight rates,
for which, the government is entirely
responsible, and that this should be
considered an emergency matter, a
condition that war alone, is response
Bile for, and that it is to the best in
terest of the government for at least
three years to stabilize the price of
wheat.
The agricultural committee believes
that the best interests of the country
will be served by the sterilization of
the price of wheat for at least three
years, and for that reason it reported
Senate Bill 447s favorably, with
amendments, and asks that it be Civ
en- consideration by the senate.
Gard of Thanks.