The Omaha morning bee., 1924-05-05
dhaWhe1e theMbst is at its Best
M'NARY.HAUGEN BILL ON ITS WAY.

j.. Supporters of the McNary -Haugen bill in both
house and senate moving with energy and vgor
to the passage of the measure without fur
ther delay Tactics adopted by the opposition which
consists in the main of the radical La Toilette group
in the house and the reactionary democrats in the
senate have driven the friends of the farmer to
take steps that ordinarily might have been avoided
Need for some of legislation to aid agriculture
is. apparent, has been urged by the president and
has been promised by congress. Yet such is the
situation at Washington that minorties Insignificant
in number, by taking advantage of the rules de-
lay if not defeat any legislation to which they may
be opposed The combination strong enough to
defeat the Norbeck- -Burtness b and is exert
ing every device of ingenuity to encompass the de-
struction of all farm relief, either directly indi-
rectly.
:, For this reason Senator Norbeck has announced
his intention to add the McNary- -Haugen bill
rider to the that is in its final
stages in the senate. This is not unusual method
Of securing the passage of law, and frequently has
been resorted to when the situation that pre-
vented the measure from coming in the regular
FORM Senator Norbeck's resolution to act is
taken after consultation with others who are inter-
ested in securing the passage of some law for the
benefit of agriculture.
The McNary- -Haugen measure has been approved
in principle by those who concerned in the situ
aton and in its form by farmer organizations
throughout the country 1t is designed to provide
q market for the surplus products of agriculture, by
facilitating export and stabzing prices. This fea
ture of the bill has been criticized by some, but the
main objection to it is answered by the fact that
does not undertake to fix prices. 1t merely seeks
10 save loss. Export prices TO bear definite
relation domestic prices, and to the range of value
over a period of years. The mechanism is simple,
not especially difficult to operate, and by its pros
moters the plan is deemed equitable.
President Coolidge, in the of his message
to congress- advised the body regarding the farmer
after this fashion:
with his products selling parity with
the products of industry every sound remedy that
Z be devised should be applied for the relief Of
the farmer
& The president favored the Norbeck Burtness bill.
The only reason this bill defeated is that some
of the democrats in the senate, aided by few
publicans felt that the measure infringement
on state sovereignty, and they would prefer to see
agriculture languish and the farmer suffer loss rather
than to abate their adherence to a doctrine whose
Strict application prevents the federal government
from acting in emergency that concerns all The
draft law in 1917 opposed on the same ground.
Some, notably the group of radicals in the house.
headed by Nogt OF Wisconsin, VINO IL La foHette
lieutenant, seem to think if they prevent any
ton for the benefit of agriculture in the present
session, it will be of political advantage to them.
Frankly seeking to destroy the republican party,
openly challenging its leadership and agtatng for
a third party they ardently devote themselves to
The obstructive program they have adopted. How
they will justify their when they come to
face the voters is for them 1t is enough now that
they are to be met in both house and senate by
determined effort to pass the bill.
:.
:. Members, especially those from the west, know
that this congress must not adjourn without having
done something to relieve the farm situation. The
McNary- Haugen measure is that will give help
TO agriculture in all its forms. 1t affects the demo-
'cratic south much it does the west. II the
democrats are true to the interests of the people
They represent, they will join with the republicans
in sending this bill over Judge Haugen is pressing
the bill in the house earnestly Senator Norbeek
is in the senate, and the chance for its passage is
good at this time.