The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-12-05
HIGHER TARIFF IS
urged FOR WHEAT
PROF. DALE TELLS PROPOSAL OF
WHEAT COMMITTEE-G. p.
MIX is IN DOUBT

The Moscow chamber of commerce,
at it's weekly luncheon Wednesday,
was undecided as to whether or not
it favored the plan for remedying the
condition of the wheat farmer, as
adopted by the wheat producers or
ganization committee, which met in
Spokane Monday and Tuesday, and
which was very clearly explained by
Professor H. G. Dale, head Of the de-
partment of economics at the Uni
versity of Idaho, who was member
of the committee, and who was one
OF the most active participants in the
Spokane meeting.
The proposal Of the producers
committee, of which Senator F. j..
Wilmer of Rosalia is the head, is, in
substance, that higher tariff be
placed on wheat, to prevent impor-
tatiOn from Canada, and that wheat
export corporation be created by con-
gress to buy the exportable surplus,
the purpose being to restore the pre-
war relation between the price of
wheat and the commodities which the
farmer must purchase, bringing the
purchasing power of the farmers
dollar back to the 1918 basis.
A motion to endorse the action of
the committee, the recommendation
of which will shortly be placed be-
fore congress, was suggested, but was
objected to by G.. P. Mix, who is an
active supporter of the GOoding price
fixing bill. Mr.. Mix expressed the be-
lief that the tariff proposal was pure
1y political, and couldn't see any
merit in it, and thought the chamber
of commerce should hold a meeting
to discuss the matter before any en-
dorsement was made.
Dale Explains Committee Plan
Mr.. Dale said that the committee,
which was in session for two days
had great number of proposals be-
fore it, some of which were made in
person and some transmitted by let
ter, going fully into details. He said
the tests by which the committee
measured the various proposals were:
First-Is it economically sound and
practical? Second-What, in general,
would be the attitude of the federal
department of agriculture and the
administration? Three-Would it re-
ceive the support of the farmers?
There was strong sentiment
against leaving it to cooperative
marketing to remedy the situation,
Mr.. Dale stated, the feeling being that
that was merely passing the buck to
the farmer himself In the plan
finally adopted, it was recognized
that the price is fixed by the foreign
market, and it was known, too, that
the plan has the approval of Secre- /
tary of Agriculture Wallace.
Mr.. Dale then explained that the
plan is to set up a higher tariff bar
rier, to keep out the Canadian wheat, |
which can be done by the president
without action on the part of con-
gress. Then wheat export corpor-
alton would be created by congress
to buy the exportable surplus. The
amount of the surplus could be close
1y determined by securing data on
paintings and on average crop yields
over a period of years. Only enough
wheat would be retained for domes-
tic consumption. The export corpor
alton would buy from the farmer at
a figure which would restore to his
wheat dollar the purchasing power
of 1913, and would then sell on the
world market The loss, whatever It
might be, would be absorbed by a
sales tax assessed against all the
wheat.
Danger of Over Production
Mr.. Dale said that the weak point
seemed to be in the danger of over
production, and said he would ap-
prove an adjustment of wheat pro-
duction, as nearly as possible, to the
world demand. He said he felt GER
tain the plan adopted would result in
the price of the 1924 crop,
but said there was no hope of remedy
ing the condition so far as the 1928
crop is concerned He said he con-
sidered the plan adopted the one t
workable plan
After some consideration, in which c
Mr.. Mix objected to endorsement OF
the plan, and Anton Bergen, we'll b
known farmer who was present, ex- Z
planned the situation the farmer is 8
in, expressing a willingness to stand n
for any plan which offered relief, 1T
was voted to refer the matter to the f
chamber agricultural committee, with t
Instructions to report back to the r
chamber. Mr.. Dale urged early action \
and the matter was somewhat COM =
plicated by the report of the COM :
nitee to arrange for reception for +
he football team, which provided for y
the next wednesday msee- :,
ng hour with program in honor OF
he team. 1t was finally arranged ,
With the consent of Rev. w. S. Snod-
", chairman of the committee, that "
he date and plans for the reception
10 changed, and that the next We'd o
1esday meeting be given over to
discussion OF the wheat committee n
proposal. v
Mr.. Obendoffer, Spokane county II
Boy Scout executive, and Prof. q
Hawks, of the local scout organiza- n
ion, were present, but because OF the
ateness Of the hour, were unable to
ay the Boy Scout situation before
he chamber. A meeting of the lead b
srs in local scout activities is being a
held this afternoon. o
A three-piece orchestra, consisting +
If Frank Mitten, Clyde Anderson and d
Jhas. Moll, pleased the members with o
he excellent music furnished during "