The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
WHEN FARMERS DELIBERATE

The nation has been hearing so much from demagogues as to the opln- ions, plight, requirements and wishes of the farmers that it is refreshing to hear directly what farmers think. An opportunity of this sort was given bv the national convention of the Farm Bureau which recently ad- iourned in Chicago. For example, these farmers by resolution declared against government price-fixing as fundamentally unsound and not capa- ble of doing the farmer any good. This in spite of the opinions of so- called farmer members of congress and even of Secretary of Agriculture Wal lace himself. Evidently the inspiration of the price-fixing policy has been purely political and for the purpose of currying favor with the farm vote. Fortunately the farmers are not the innocents the politicians regard them.
 Although even the president de- clared that the farmers were in great need of tax reduction, it is encouraging to hear from the farmers themselves that for their part they are willing for taxes. to remain where they are, the surplus to be applied to reducing the national indebtedness. It takes a hardheaded farmer to bring us back to the age-old principle that it is often business to pay up debt than to continue to pay interest. The far mer is for tax reforms, however. According to the Bureaus resolution, there should be no general sales tax, which is a nuisance and a direct im- pediment to business. But the far mer is convinced that there should be a discontinuation of the practice of issuing tax-free securities. He knows that the incomparable security behind public bonds will find them market without the artificial inducement of tax exemption. He knew it before MT. Mellon said anything about it. The farmer also wants "stoppage of leaks" in the 1921 tax law. He knows very we'll that millions of property value are illegally escaping their fair share of taxes. He wants stop put to this defrauding of the public treas ury at the expense of those who do pay their just taxes. The farmer IS opposed to a reduction of the income tax, in spite of the fact that MT. Mel lon and MT. Coolidge both said that the farmer would be one of the chief beneficiaries of such reduction. But the farmer prefers to pay off the na- tional debt.
 The Farm Bureau wants lower freight rates, because it perceives that high rates are a far heavier bur den than taxes. A clear understand ing of the avoidable cost of operating coal-burning instead of electric loco- railroads be electrified. Perhaps the Bureau perceives that the question of locomotive patents has more to do with the selection of locomotive types than economy and efficiency in opera tion. The Bureau indorsed the devel- opment of inland waterways and the installation of more comprehensive barge service. The resolution also said: "We urge the immediate adop- tion by the American government of {, vigorous foreign policy designed to, carry out America's obligations re- sulting from her war aims and the terms of the Armistice which ended the war, and thus to restore peace and prosperity to Europe" The Bureau wants a revision of the tariff, doubt less writhing somewhat under the three billion dollar private tax which the tariff imposes upon the American peo- pie, and which does not help the American farmer in his efforts to find 8 foreign market for his surplus. It may indeed be inferred that the or ganized farmers of this nation are neither stupid nor gullible, and that their deliberations result in a far higher type of statesman-like decision than emanate from the national con- gress. Congress would do we'll to sit at the feet of the farmers. It might learn something to it's advantape