The Washington times., 1923-11-30
TAX REDUCTION
PART OF BLOC
PROGRAM
Farm Group Plan Includes Big
Cut in Transportation
Costs.
BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON.
international News Service.

lnternauOnal News Service.
The interests Of American
farmers will be amply protected
in the coming session Of Con-
gress under tentative program.
Of legislation drafted today by
leaders Of the two Congressional
farm bIocs.
Revision Of tax laws, shifting
more Of the tax burden from the
poor to the rich, and heavy re-
duction in transportation costs.
will be the chief planks in this
program, according to Senator
Arthur Capper (Rep.) Of KAN
sas, chairman Of the Senate farm
bloc. The program win be
finally adopted at meeting Of
farm bloc members as soon as
Congress convenes.
Outlines Program.
Capper announced tentative
legislative program, favored BY
farm leaders in all sections OF the
country. 1T included:
i. Revision OF tax laws, with the
reduction Of taxes on incomes under
SO 900 as the immediate goal, ana
the placing OF heavy taxes on al
nheritances and those securities
now listed as tax-exempt.
2. Partial revision OF the JEsch-
cummins Act with repeal OF the
so-called rate guarantee clause and
such legislative action as is aeces-
8. Creation Of Nan agriculture ex-
port corporation probably with q
capitalization Of 800 200, 900. ~ ex-
pand export trade. ,
A. Endorsement OF the cooperative
marketing movement BY providing
wider government credit facilities.
Supports Other Measures.
While these win be the chief farm
bloc demands, Capper declared nu-
merous minor measures would also
be supported, such as the Truth in
Fabric" bill and others which failed
of passage IN the last Congress.
The cost OF transportation is the
subject which most vitality concerns
the farmer, said Capper. The
farm bloc's aim IS to get some relief
for the farmer from high freight
rates. This can't be all worked out
by legislation, but some relief must
be obtained by changing the Esch-
Cummfns act and repeating the rate
guarantee clause.
The farmers are also opposed 70
compulsory consolidation Of the rail-
roads. They feel this action would
eliminate competition without bring
ing relief from high rates. They de-
mand lower rates, and we will do
our best to obtain this relief
The proposal for IN agriculture
export corporation to be financed BY
the sGovernment, Capper said, would
get the bioc's support.
The bloc will also get actively
behind q marketing program, espe-
cially In an effort to find greater
outlets for surplus crops, q he added.
Reduction Of Taxes.
'CO-operatiye marketing associa-
tions are giving beneficial results
wherever formed, he continued.
There are 5000. 600 members now
and the goal is 10000, 900 members.
To aid this work, there must be
some changes In the credit system
with more flexible credits for the
cooperative organizations"
Capper declared a revision OF tax
laws also was necessary.
There will be plenty OF support
for movements to reduce taxes" he
said. In my opinion, the farm
blocs will see that full justice is
done to the taxpayer on incomes
under $4,000. / also favor a bill
providing for the taxation OF SO
called tax-exempt securities and for
increasing the tax on big inheri.
tances.