The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-02-12
Financing Agriculture

Several bills are pending in Con-
gress for the purpose OF furnishing nm
ancial relief for the farmer population
in the northwest. Prominent among
these are the Norbeck-BurtneSs and
McNary-Haugen bills. In addition
the War Finance Corporation has been
continued in existence for the purpose
OF making loans that will help the
farmers. 1t has now been proposed
in a conference called by the Presi-
dent to organize a corporation having
a capital of Sl0.000,000. backed by gen.
eral business interests. The oStensible
purpose of these various suggestions is
to furnish aid in the marketing OF
crops and produce. as well as TO take
care OF the emergency situation which
the farmers are facing.
Reclamation Projects also ask Aid
Representatives of water users on
a number OF Government projects
have sent a series of resolutions to the
Department of the Interior in which
they cite that they favor early Con-
gressional action looking toward sus-
pending. readjusting. and reassessing
all existing charges against the water
users on reclamation projects, in ac-
cordance with recommendations OF
President Coolidge to Congress. The
water users seek to have their pay
ments reduced and the periods extend
ed. In addition to this the general
treasury of the Government is asked
to bear general expenses that are now
being charged against the various pro-
jects. In short the water users seek
an economic advantage that is not
given them under the present laws and
contracts.
Secretary of the Interior Work APP
pointed a Fact Finding Commission
a few months ago for the purpose of
determining what is wrong" with the
reclamation plan, and its relation to
water users. The resolutions referred /
to above seek to establish the position
of those who are hard pressed and are
struggling to survive.
Official Cure-alls
During the war the Government
fixed prices for wheat, and made pro-
visions to guarantee farm prosperity.
This was Immediately followed by
boom-prices for farm lands in the ag-
ricultural sections OF the country.
With the withdrawal of government
guarantees of prices there was a gem
eral depression in from conditions.
The farmers organized their interests
most effectually, and demanded that
the Government arrange a special sys-
tenn for loaning them money to pre-
vent general bankruptcy. This was
done, but the indirect method OF oper-
ating through local banks, aided by
the War Finance Corporation. has
neither cured the troubles of the
|armgs nor served to strengthen the
banks. Banks have suffered from the
of initiation. and this has
been weighted down with frozen
credits" The result has been the
allure of large numbers OF banks
throughout the Western states.
Agriculture is the basic industry of
he nation. 1t has its own Depart
nent in the Government. Cooperative
Methods denied to all other industries
re legalized and encouraged in agri-
ulture The farmers affairs are reg
lated in every possible way. The
more regulations and laws there have
cen, the greater grows the farm cmer-
ency. The Government. and its Con-
ress, is continually making new at
,mpts to pull the farmers out of debt.
.ach time this is done the farmers ap-
arently slip back little deeper into
lie quagmire. The sincerity Of the
iendship professed by public men for
le farmers is not open to question.
ut in the light OF evenis--and the
OK OF results. one cannot help Won
ring whether the legislative pallia-
yes are going to help-much less
ire, the economic ills that are up
fting agriculture.
The Production OF Electricity
A statement from the Geological
irvey shows an increase Of more