The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1923-10-04
Washington, Oct. Problems re


-.aticn are occupying the attention
of the Cabinet. These economic
questions have temporarily side
tracked political and international is
sues. The President has put an end
gress. He has made it clear that no
convincing reasons have been pre-
scented to show the necessity for am
extraordinary session.
1t appears that Mr.. Coolidge pro-
poses to take advantage of existing
machinery to bring about relief for
agriculture in instances where such
action is deemed advisable. The
Chief Executive and his Cabinet will
take the matter of relief for the farm
ers in hand when Secretary of Agri-
culture Wallace submits a special re-
port which he has under preparation.
This study will deal with the wheat
situation. Individuals representing
farm organizations who are interested
In the situation agree that the Presi-
dent is kindly sympathetic and in
close touch with farm matters.
1t has been made clear that Presi-
dent Coolidge dos not propose to give
approval to anything but construc-
tive legislative program to help the
farmer. Schemes to fix prices of and
to store agriculturep roducts, it can
be salad without qualification, will
not be countnanced by the President.
1t is also realized that the wheat
farmer is the victim of present day
conditions and from a point of pro-
duction it has been explained, wheat
represents only eight per cent of the
total crop of the United States. A
great deal of encouragement toward
a constructive legislative program to
improve the financial condition of
the farmers, has been obtained from
the agricultural community itself.
Secretary of Commerce Ho w. is
of the opinion that the freight rate
structure should be revised in order
to bring about a reduction in freight
rates on agricultural products. He
feels that the freight rate item is the
principal source of dissatisfaction
among the farming interests.
The Bureau of Labos Statistics has
completed study showing decrease
on eight per cent in the cost of all
articles of food combined for the
year of 1922 as compared with the
cost of 1921, The retail food index
issued by the Department of Labor,
through the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics shows that there was de-
crease of one per cent in the retail
cost of food to the average family
in August, 1923, as compared with
July, 1928.
"A special study of business condi-
tons conducted by the Committee on
Statistics and Standards of the Cham
Der of Commerce of the United
States, shows that at present there is
a general pause in manufacturing ac-
tivity, and predicts an early definite
Improvement The reasons given are
seasonal dizziness, temporary speci-
flying of demand, and aw idespread
feeling of conservatism on the part
of buyers. The latter reason is sup
plemented with interesting comment.
The general trnd is that purchasers
feel the price is too high and it is
very easy to sense this sentiment
among the public. Building material
is somewhat cheaper, but apparently
not enough to check the gradual de-
cline in building and construction.
The reason for high prices of build
ing materials is explained chiefly by
reference to wages of labor and high
prices. Agricultural conditions are
described in the report as being
mixed, but on the whole the situation
among the farmers is much better
than has been pictured. although there
are some "sore spots" Secretary of
Treasury Mellon believes that the
business and agricultural outlook is
very favorable.
1t is believed that President Cool
idge soon will announce definite
policy with regard to the tariff gen.
orally and the flexible provisions of
the present law particularly. Indi-
cations are that he will follow the
program laid down by the late Presi-
dent Harding although it is doubtful
if he will prove himself to be so ar
dent supporter of the flexiblep ro-
visions as President Harding. At the
same time the flexible provisions are
a part of the law and consequently,
reports to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. President Coolidge undoubtedly
will resort to them for the purpose
of either raising or lowering rates,
whenever such action is justified, on
a basis of careful investigations by
the Tariff Commission. The state.
ment has been made at the White
House however that the President
will be extremely cautious in disturb
ing business by tinkering with the
tariff, but this does not mean that
he will not authorize changes in rates
where such action is justified. It is
assumed that the Commission soon
will announce it's program with re-
gard to beginning investigations
abroad. Though Mr.. Coolidge has
formed no definite opinion on the
proposed program of public build
ings, til known that his advisers are
opposing governmental building at
this time. Secretary Hoover and
other Cabinet officers have frowned
upon construction of government
buildings under present conditions
because competition for labor and ma
terials would prove disastrous for
home builders in all localities. The
suggestion has been made that Con-
gress approved a building program
which would result in the expenditure
of $500,000,000 in ten year period
for government buildings, principal
ly post offices. There is little likeli-