The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-10


tional millions were advanced for
the Federal Farm Loan Board; an
agricultural credit act was passed
at the end of the Sixty.seyenth
Congress. providing for both pub
lie and private agencies to aid the
farmer in securing credit, stress
ing perhaps too much the need
of facilities for borrowing, but
still far-reaching in It's provisions.
A cooperative marketing act was
passed, a beginning in the fur
therance Of methods for organiza
ton and distribution which, 1t Is
hoped, will place the farmer In
the enjoyment Of the same advan-
tageS in narrowing the gap be-
tween the producer and the con-
sumner as those enjoyed in other
branches Of endeavor. It cannot
be too strongly emphasized that
in this direction there surely lies
the most encouraging prospect for
lettering the condition of the
agricultural interests of the coun-
try. A private corporation with
ten millions Of capital was organ
lied at the instance of the ad.
minlstratfon and has rendered
substantial aid to the farmers Of
the Northwest.
Ready 70 Aid Farmer
The Republican party has shown
its willingness to extend liberality
to the last degree in the enact.
ment Of legislation which will aid
the farmer, but it can not respond
to impracticable theories or accent
measures which will only agra
vate the situation. Any artificial
stimulus to prices which are de.
pressed by irresistible causes can
only postpone the evil day and
add to the distress, MEMORABLE
laws demand decreased acreage
in certain staple products and a
wider diversification. Numerous
remedies proposed for relief fail
utterly when subjected to careful
ANALYSIS. If were to follow the
appealing demands of my own
feelings. l would say grant tens
OF millions for farm relief, but no
legislation or subventions from
the Treasury can be effective to
meet the case. 1t is a condition
which is worldwide, due 20 the
sharp reaction from the unprece.
dented demands for agricultural
products which lasted during the
world war and for a time there
after. Prices are now out Of line
with those Of many Of the COM
modities which the farmer must
buy, but so sure as the inevitable
laws of supply and demand are
operative this, relation must
change, and the time is coming
when conditions will be reversed
and the course of migration be-
tween city and farm will expert
ence a revolution.
A most substantial benefit
would be conferred upon the
farmers by the construction Of the
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence water.
way, thereby opening up a new
transportation outlet for the agri-
cultural products Of q very ex-
tended area. Material benefit
would also be gained by the more
adequate improvement and utili.
zation OF divers interior water.
ways, though here as elsewhere
these improvements should be
carefully limited to such as are
capable Of profitable DEVELOPMENT.
Now as always, pork.barrel appro-
priations should be sedulously
avoided.
A readjustInent Of freight rates
and a consolidation Of existing
agencies Of transportation sfford
promise of aid.
President Harding and his ad,
viSers labored necessarily for the
abolition Of long hours and the
Seven-day week in the steel in.
dustry and other trades. He called
industrial and labor leaders into
conference. Almost on the very
day Of his death his Efforts were
crowned with success, and happy
indeed would he have been If he
could have witnessed the complete
accomplishment Of his hopes.
Labor Is Benefited
Labor has been especially bene.
fitted by the restrictive immigra.
ton law. This Republican Ad.
ministration brought the country
out Of the depths Of depression.
The great mass Of employees find
their chiefest benefit in steady
employment and those prosperous
times which make high wages
possible.
Congress has voted to submit a
Constitutional amendment giving
adequate authority to legislate
against the employment Of child
labor. A bill for the continuance
Of plans for the rehabilitation Of
workers disabled in industry, an
effort which has met with very
great success, has recently passed
the House Of Representatives.
The well.being of labor, the happi.
ness Of millions of workers are In.
extricably interviewer with the
prosperity of the people no sepa-
rate or antagonistic road can be
traversed by those who toll or by
those who employ; the country's
prosperity is the prosperity of
each and Of all.
Among the pending issues Of
the day economy in public ex.
penditures and reduction of taxa
ton must assume the utmost i'm.
portance. The Federal Govern.
ment, States, and communities
have been engaging in a riot of