The Washington times., 1923-12-21
CAPPER VISIONS
BETTER DAYS
ONFARNS
Agriculture Slowly Recovering
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
| Aid Needed.
By KENNETH CLARK
international News Service.
Copyright, 1923. by International


Copyright, 1923. by International
News Service)
American agriculture is slowly
climbing out of the slump and all
Indications point to substantial
improvement in the industry DUR
ing the new year, Senator Arthur
Capper Rep0, of Kansas, declared
today in an interview with Inter
national News Service.
Capper, leader of the farm bloc
In Congress, is recognized as one
of Americas foremost authorities
on agriculture.
''All indications point to a grad
ual improvement in the farmers
economic position during the new
year. Capper said.
1.-The wheat farmer, of course, is
not yet out of the ditcn.s For three
years he has produced wheat at a
loss. But another year should
show an improvement. The wheat
farmer is curtailing his acreage,
cutting his production to meet
more nearly the requirements of
the home market and avoiding sur
plus production which is always
disastrous to him. Figures and
estimates now available indicate a
reduction of wheat acreage Of about
Is per cent.
Has Long Way to Go.
Better business methods, coop
Grafton in the marketing of prod
ucts, and some decrease in the
spread between the cost of things
he sells will contribute to the i'm
provement in the farmers economic
position. He still has long way
to go before his prosperity is COM
pletely restored. He still is at the
bottom of the ladder in comparison
with other industries. He must
have sympathetic consideration in
any scheme looking toward the as
surance of national prosperity dur
ing the new year.
His most pressing need is relief
from excessive transportation costs.
I hope to see substantial reduction
in freight rates at an early date.
with ampler credit facilities,
better marketing methods and re-
duction OF acreage more nearly to
bring crop yields within the require
'ments of the home market demand,
the new year should see a market
Improvement particularly in re-
gard to the wheat grower who last
year did not share in the upturn
In favor of agriculture as whole.
Tax Adjustment Needed.
Among legislative influences that
should have a favorable effect on
the agricultural industry during the
year, reduction of war taxes is out
standing. This should ease the
burden that productive enterprise
and business is now forced to carry.
1T is absurdly unfair that earned
income should be penaliZed and
unearned income eased of it's share
Of the costs of government and the
liquidation OF war obligations. Abo-
iition Of the tax exempt privilege
would go far toward a more equita-
BILE distribution of the tax load.
Whatever tax legislation is writ
ten should be written on the basis
of such distribution, share and
share alike according to ability to
pay.
Finds Freights Too High.
Next in importance. perhaps, to
the welfare of business is the read
justment of freight rates. Discrim-
inatory and confiscatory freights
are a major factor in the delay of
the farmers economic recovery.
I'm the solution of this problem
the farmer is entitled to the SYM
pathetic attention and cooperation
Of all business men, for the farmer
Is not only q producer; he is nor
mally a consumer.
AS his return to prosperity is
postponed, his disadvantage affects
the entire business community"
Capper concluded.