The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-02-19
Johnson Is.
as
Denb.yQuits
Californian Speaks on Oil
Case and on Farm Relief
at Meeting Held in
Lincoln.
Out Against Mellon Plan
BY VICTOR HACkLER.
International News Service, Special Co
resnoudeut


Lincoln, Feb. 18.-"Now is the time
for real action said Senator Hiram
w johnson, in address to the City
auditorium this afternoon, talking
about the oil leases prosecutions.
what has become of all the stuff
that was in the papers about Secre-
tary Denby's refusal to resign and
the refusal to ask him to resign?"
asked Senator Johnson. He resigned
today because he is no longer useful
in public service
"The awful plight In which our
farmers find themselves is now known
to everybody. Ignorant and harsh
would he be who does not view this
situation with whole hearted sympathy
and who would not go any length to
aid. And when We recall that pri-
marily the government itself 10 re-
sponsible, when we remember the
frenzied appeals to farmers to plant
more wheat. and their generous and
patriotic response; when the conse-
cuences Of deflation are borne in
mind, not only would we individually
render the assistance required, but We
would have the government itself seek
to remedy a part OF its wrong.
Entitled to Government AN.
"Eloquently TO point the disastrous
conditions, to describe the havoc that
has been wrought. without suggestion
of q real remedy, is but to increase
the misgivings and add to the in1us-
tice.
THE ordinary Industrial sections
Of the country are most prosperous.
The chief industry. agriculture, not
only languishes. but suffers most
acutely. Low prices uniting with
high cost of operation are throttling
1t. The farmer must sell In a low
market and buy in high market. He
is told by his self-appointed friends in
Washington how much they feel his
troubles. but that he must help him
self and return to a diversified farm
ing. Natural economic law II in
voked In his behalf. and II natural
economic laws would bring him sal
walton he would rejoice, but the walt
ing period will bring him only ruin.
THE farmer has the right to ask
his government for protection. He
is entitled to the same generosity the
government extends to manufacturers
and railroads. II government action
can bring him relative prices between
the commodities he produces and
those he has to purchase. he should
have II.
Endorses McNary- Haugen BILL
"One bill now pending in congress
approximates this. and we think
strikes at the root OF the agricultural
troubles. The McNary- Haugen bill
aims to restore ratio" price on the
principal staples. so that a bushel OF
wheat, a pound of beef or pound of
pork may have the same purchasing
power as in the pre-war period. 1t
plans governmental aid in practical
among the widely scat
tered farmers. 1t is not government
price-fixing. as generally understood.
for the plan proposed Is intended TO be
self supporting without burden upon
the treasury. except for the initial re-
volving fund for the export corpora
ton.
consistently have supported
every measure designed to help agri-
culture. The McNary bill now pre-
senta in my opinion. the one hope OF
real aid. II probably viii require somo
amendment, but its principlep romiscd
success
"Of course, the government alono
cannot bring full prosperity TO the
farming regions: but II can aid, and
II can give the farmer fair chance
10 win in his long struggle for equity.
This It must do"
"And II must not be forgotten that
where suffering Is most distressing
In the wheat growing districts. the
government. during the war. reduced
the price OF wheat and held II down.
while the commodities necessary to
farmers were permitted 10 soar"
Hope IN Wheat Tariff.
"Dlverslfcation. where possible.
higher tariff, lower freight rates, all
may be of some service: but OF all
the plans presented. the most promis
ing now seems tho McNary bill.
NuppOftS Douu>.
"No matter what the Mellon plan
may be, tho republican party must
keep It's word and enact tho adjusted
compensation bill, continued Sen.
ator Johnson. lie spoke sarcastically
of the interest in American people
shown by the New York Central
Railroad company. J. r. Morgan aud
- n lon
''Thc Mellon plan IL assumed 10 at.
tract the attention OF tho people
from other important national mat
ters."
II think Is was necessary for Mr..
DENLY TO resign. apart from any aues.
ton Of tho tufpitude or corruption.
Ills transfer Of the paval oil reserves
In Socrptarx Fall WAS the genesin OF