Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-12-14


by the reorganization of the freight
rate structure which could reduce
charges on his production. To make
this fully effective there ought to be
railroad consultations. Cheaper fer
tiizers must be provided.
81 do not favor the permanent inter-
ference Of the government in this
problem. That probably would in
crease the trouble by increasing pro-
duction. But 1t. seems feasible to pro-
vide government assistance to exports,
and authority should be given the War
Finance corporation to grant, In its
discretion, the most liberal terms of
payment for fats and grains exported
for the direct benefit of the farm"
Considerable space In the message
was given to the coal problem. The
President said he did not favor gov
ernment ownership or operation of the
mines. and continued: 1.-THE supply
of coal must be constant. In case Of
Its prospective interruption, the Presl-
dent should have authority to appoint
commission empowered to deal with
whatever emergency situation might
arise, to aid conciliation and volun-
tary arbitration, to adjust any exist
ing or threatened controversy between
the employer and the employee when
collective bargaining fails, and by con-
trolling distribution to prevent prof.
teering in this vital necessity"
- DEACE between the Irregular" and
progressive" factions of the Re
publicans in the house 1t is supposed
will continue for 30 days, during which
time the latter will have chance to
bring forward their proposals for the
liberalization of the rules. They dem
onstrated during the deadlock over
organization that they hold the bal
nnce of power. though they are few In
number, but 1t is far from certain that
they can line up enough Democratic
votes to change the rules us they de-
sire. The progressives voted. usually
II strong, for Cooper of Wisconsin for
speaker. The Democrats were solid
for Finis ]. Garrett of Tennessee, who
thus becomes the minority leader. The
leader Of the majority is Nicholas
LongwOrth of Ohio.
G IMPORTERS of President Coolidge
" for nomination next year were
overjoyed last week by the news from
South Dakota. In the Republican state
proposal convention Mr.. Coolidge was
given the preference over Senator
Hiram johnson, his only opponent, by
a majority of % ,030 out of 1900 votes
cast. Senator Arthur Capper of Kan
sas was the choice for vice president
The Democratic convention indorsed
5,072 for Henry Ford, and chose Judge
James w. Girard of New York for sec
ond place on the ticket. The Farmer
Laborites were strongly in favor of
the nomination of Senator La Toilette.
After the Presidents message was de
livered the Hiram johnson crowd felt
little better, for in 1t. as is told
above, Mr.. Coolidge declared himself
fatty against the soldiers bonus,
while the South Dakota Republicans
adopted platform containing a strong
bonus plank. This question may well
develop into the deciding issue of the
nomination campaign.
THE British parliamentary elections
L were held Thursday. and at this
writing 1t appears that the COnserv-
ative party with its policy of pro-
tective tariff has been defeated. De-
layed returns from country districts
may change this, but even then Prime
Minister Baldwin would have slen-
der majority. The reunited Liberal
party made considerable gains, and
the Laborites. already the second In
strength, won many new seats.
One notable feature of the election
was the defeat of the women. They
had a number of candidates, but only
two appear to have won-Lady .Astor
and Miss Susan Lawrence, Laborite
Arthur Henderson, one Of the most
prominent Laborites, lost his seat to
a Liberal.
II uAVING signed with the Industrial
magnates Of the Ruhr an agree
ment for resumption Of work and of
payments In kind, and being urged by
Belgium, the French last week began
the virtual withdrawal Of their forces
from the occupied region. To start
with. the occupation will be made "ln-
visible" which means the troops will
be withdrawn from the cities and
towns to points outside. In addition.
France is returning to German control
twenty-one railway lines In the Ruhr