Evening star., 1923-09-21
Coolidge and Advisers Con-
slider Plans, But Specific
Remedy Is Lacking.
PRESIDENT STILL FIRM
AGAINST CONGRESS CALL,
Believes Definite Program for Agri-
cultural Betterment Should
First Be Worked Out.

The agricultural situation was be-
fore the cabinet again today. with
President Coolidge and his advisers
earnestly seeking a remedy for a con-
dition which has been described to
the executive as one of great gravity
as ever existed in the far western
states
Several possible means of prevent
ing recurrence in another year of a
similar situation have been suggested
but as yet no specific remedies for
the existing condition have been de-
cided upon. Experts OF the Depart
ment of Agriculture are making a
survey of the situation as it affects
wheat growers, particularly hard hit,
but their report has not yet been COM
pleted.
There is no indication that Secre-
tary Wallace, to whom the subject
was referred at Tuesdays cabinet
discussion, has any remedial measures
TO suggest beyond those he already
has publicly advocated, and it is ex-
pected generally that when the Agri-
culture Departments final report goes
to the White House it will consist
mainly Of a recapitulation of world
crop statistics. Such a compilation
of figures, department officials be-
lieve. viii speak for itself and will
demonstrate that present conditions
are due largely to overproduction.
Seek Solution, Not Congress.
Talk of an extra session of Con-
gress to pass remedial legislation has
been revived, but most congressional
leaders now in Washington and adj
ministration officers generally are in
agreement with the President that il
would be unwise to summon Congress
to Washington until a specific pro-
gram of relief has been agreed upon.
1t has been emphasized that what the
administration seeks is solution
along sound economic lines, and pro-
posals for the passage of hasty leg
islation consequently do not meet
with approval.
Among remedies which have been
proposed are a reduction of freight
rates on grain from the producing
centers to the principal market at
Chicago. and a revival of the United
States G=afn Corporation to handle
this seasons wheat crop. A commit
tee of bankers from the ninth federal
reserve district will confer with the
President next week in support of
.the latter propositions. which would re-
Quire legislation by Congress.
Hoover Against Rate Cut.
Some time ago Secretary Wallace
suggested that u reduction of rates
on agricultural products would help
to get the situation back on a nor
NAL basis, but other members of the
cabinet. including Secretary Hoover
of the Commerce Department. do not
favor such a step unless it is accom-
panied by a general freight rate re-
adjustment on commercial as well as
agricultural shipments.
1t has been pointed out repeatedly,
however, that the rate-making func-
tions of the government are eXercis-
ed wholly by the Interstate Commerce
Commission, acting as the agent of
Congress, and that under the Constitu-
tion the executive branch is powerless
to do more than suggest what it thinks
proper in that direction. One of the
possibilities is that the President,
after consultation with his cabinet,
may recommend that the commission
undertake a new and thorough study
of the agricultural rate situation with
view to such'relief action as it may
find feasible.
Discuss New York Politics.
Politics in the Empire state was
discussed with President Coolidge at
the White House today by republican
leaders from New York. In the group
national committeeman Charles d.
Hilles,. Assistant Secretary of the
Navy Roosevelt, and George X. Nor
ris republican state chairman.
The President was told that. in
general, the republican affairs in New
York were looking up" The repub-
lican leaders are bending their ener-
gies a present to maintain the pres
ent republican majority of six in the
general assembly and to increase
their lead if possible at the coming
elections The democrats have a ma
jority of one in the state senate, but
there is no election of senators until
next year.
VIII Support Coolidge.
The governorship was not touched
upon, it was said, as the nomination
and election for that office do not
come up until 1924. Col Roosevelt
has been talked of as a possible re-
publican nominee for governor.
The New Workers did not, as
whole, announce that the state had
lined up for President Coolidge for
his denomination. They indicated,
however, that he would have the
earnest support of New York repub-
Iicans in his administration. 1t is
expected. too, that the New Workers
will get behind Mr. Coolidge for the
nomination when the time comes
other visitors at the White House
today included Gen. Lord, director of
the budget, and John w. Riddle,
United States ambassador to Argen-
tina.