Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-20

think they understand that the open
ing OF new irrigated districts at. a
time Of great surplus in farm pro-,
ducts only puts an additional bur
den upon present irrigation produc-
ers and the farming machinery as a
whole. 1 assumed in my Lincoln
speech, and maintain now. that
there should be an honest constdera-
ton by the commission of all the
facts involved in reclamation and ir-
rigation projects. In their proper re-
lation to the whole situation.
"The appointment of a commission
to consider the agricultural problem
upon an economic. non partisan, and
common sense basis. and to present
a specific plan upon which discussion
can be focused. Is a step as much in
the interests Of the farmer upon ir-
rigated land as upon any other. The
problem can not be settled piece
meal by politicians. and the people
know it.
1.-The agitation created among pol
iticians of both parties in certain To-
calities by my reference to the ne
sessity. in seeking a proper and eco
nomic, solution of the national prob
lem of agriculture. of consideration
Of the many factors tending to in
crease supply. including new irriga-
ton projects would be amusing II 1t
were not significant Of this great
danger which the agricultural prob
lem faces, to-wit: its attempted leg
islative settlement by politicians who
refuse to face the facts and want TO
please everybody.
"Stand up any one Of these gentle
men, as man to man, in a room by
himself. and ask him, upon his honor.
whether there can be proper and
economic consideration of the ma atom
al question of relief for agriculture
without considering the relation TO
it of new irrigation and reclamation
projects. and all other facts bearing
on increase of supply and his answer
must be in the negative. He should
defend the irrigation and reclama-
ton program upon proper grounds
that irrigation has as much right to
a future as other forms of agricul-
ture; that 1t only demands with other
forms of agriculture fair treatment
in any general national policy OF
legislation framed for the relief OF
agriculture as whole: that it Will
be glad to consider together with all
other forms of agriculture. any plan
for relief which is developed by men
on the square, having no thought CT
political eXpediency and only con-
cerned with finding constructive re-
lief consistent with economic law.
I'm answer to a certain amount or
unsolicited advice from western po-
litical office holders in my own party.
to dodge relevant facts In an eco
nomic discussion OF agricultural re-
lief whenever 1t may tend to lose
will little ad-
vice: If they, as public servants, de-
sire to really protect the interests OF
irrigation and reclamation, they
should present its just claims in
proper and non political way. from
the basis of facts. and as a part OF
the great problem which must be
solved for agricultural relief II all
producers of farm products. includ-
ing those on irrigated lands, are TO
receive essential relief"
Mr. Dawes at this point in his
speech reiterated some of the state
ments made in his Lincoln address.
declaring there was great dfspar-
ity in the earnings of the agricultural
and industrial. populations Of the
country. that agricultural distress
was general. that the agricultural
and industrial elements of the coun-
y
cent advance in agricultural prices
was only natural result Of the law
OF supply and demand. that the caus-
es of farm troubles were fundamental.
that there was over production in
many lines of agricultural products,
and that the theory OF cooperative
marketing and distribution Is un-
questionably sound. but in the opera
ton of the principle involved many
serious difficulties have been en-
countered.
In view of this situation the con-
templated commission to study the
problem much az the Experts Com
mittee studied the reparation prob
lem. Mr.. Dawes said. represents the
best hope of real progress.
partisan, and impartial commission,
to suggest a plan for legislative or
other relief il to have the subject
impartially and competently consid-
cred from all standpoints." he added.
There Is at present no concensus OF
either economic, agricultural or po-
litical opinion behind any specific
remedy. 1t has not been possible
to secure for any proposed plan OF
relief the endorsement Of all of the
leading agricultural organizations al
though not following the advice Of
politicians they are considering the
question from a strictly non partisan
and economic basis.
The Commission Plan
THE commission plan is the only
one as l see 1t by which this great
national agricultural problem can re-
ceive a common sense consideration,
free from political poison.
ic iv,,vS q ,t hof a ~
the right kind OF commission. Its
competency and its impartiality must
be unquestioned. 1t must be abso-
lutely on-political. All plans pro-
posed by others should be considered
by it. 1t must be bound In its con
sideration to no political creed or
policy, any more than the recent Ex-
pert Committee in Europe Then
after ii has suggested its plan and
set forth its terms it will be in order
to generally discuss 1t.
But as in Europe IL a common
sense plan Is evolved. a changed
status OF public opinion may then
discourage the demagogues from
continuing to try to befog general
clear understanding in the interest
OF personal ambitions for office. The
public will study the suggestions OF
competent, and public opinion should
crystalline.
The Experts Plan in Europe was
accepted because settled public opin-
ion demanded its acceptance. and
any government which. had opposed
its acceptance would have been over
thrown by public opinion.
There come crises so great in
national affairs that by common con
sent there is turning away from
political quack doctors. 1t seems to
me that such a crisis Is confronted
in the agricultural situation.
- he .isc