Evening star., 1924-12-24
VITAL THEMES
The President and the Farmer
BY SENATOR ARTHUR CAPPER

President Coolidge smplifes evil
dence that his professions OF SYM
pathy with the farmer In his efforts
20 establish his industry on basis
Of permanent equality with other
business are not mere lip service.
Almost his FIRST official act after
the recent election was to call to-
gether q group of leaders in farm
economics and in operative farming to
recommend measures for Government
cooperation in restoring and main
tanning a normal relationship between
agriculture and other industries. His
recent message stresses the farm
problem as Of immediate and primary
national Importance. He assures
Congress OF his hope and intention
to present in time for action. this
session, definite suggestions for leg
islation. Congress has every dispo-
sition to treat with these sugges-
tions in fullest desire TO cooperate
in the task to which the President
has pledged the good ofices and best
efforts Of the Government.
Quite In this tone Is the President 8
more recent address before the in
ternational live stock show at Chi
caso. He leaves no doubt that he
understands that recent improve
ments in prices Of farm commodi-
ties-timely ana encouraging as they
were-are rather the result OF Tor
tuitous circumstances than evidences
of restoration to a stable and perma-
nent prosperity.
He makes equally clear his views
as to proper avenues of Government
and legislative cooperation. He
frankly declares against price-hxing &
by law. THE troubles Of the farm
cr." he tells US, "are on tho farm and
in the market. We know by all ex-
perience that Government subsidies
and price-hxing would increase pro-
duction and aggravate the evil"
In this the President is in harmony
with the views Of practical operative
farmers and Of economists and OF the
majority opinion, 1 believe, in Con-
gress.
Government efforts toward restor-
ing the farming industry are by no
means entirely a matter OF the fu-
ture, tho President reminds US. Many
helpful and necessary steps have been
taken. The farmer has been protect
ed against foreign competition. Prac-
ticaliy every commodity he needs in
his business has been kept on the
"duty-free" list. Government credit
has been available without stint to
the farming community to help its
recovery from the fell blow Of de-
fation. The Federal Government has
practiced economy that tax burdens
direct and indirect--might be les
sened. Local governments might
profit by this example.
Yet with all these the farm prob
lem must remain = problem until the
farmer is in position to manage the
selling end OF his business. The
President 30 understands it. He ap-
peais that farmers everywhere shall
ind ways in which to organise and
associate themselves together in the
determination to employ effectively
every means Of Improvement that
has been placed at their disposal"
The means to which the President
refers are the steps already taken by
LEGISLATION to legalise group market
Ing. The Government Is ready, too,
to take such other steps as sound
economies recommends to. make CO.
operative marketing widely effective.
your Government" the President ~.
sures the producer. will DO every
thing possible ana proper for gcv-
do encOnraCp NOuf