The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-03-08
Presidential Decree Increasing
Tariff Protection for Wheat
Growers Is Victory for West
Competition of Cheap Canadian Grain Limited by New Duty
Carries Out Plan Inaugurated by The Omaha Bee
First Step to Real Farm Relief.

The presidents proclamation, In
creasing the import duty on wheat.
Is the elimination OF a vigorously
prosecuted campaign inaugurated in
the late summer OF 1923. When the
wheat crop began TO move TO market.
II was apparent that the farmers
who had raised the grain were facing
considerable loss. Prices that pre-
vailed did not cover cost of produc-
ton. Great depression In the wheat
growing states naturally followed.
until very wide region felt the ef-
fects OF hard times.
Chief OF the causes for the trouble
was the harvesting of an unusually
large crop Of wheat in Canada. This,
coupled with the high freight rates in
the United States. put the farmers on
this side of the border up against a
bankruptcy was their portion. To OBJ
tain this relief was the urgent busi-
ness at hand.
Freight Rate Appeal Fails.
The Omaha Chamber Of Commerce
interested itself In tho problem and
through committee presented on be-
half of the farmers a request that the
railroads make temporary rate on
wheat and flour intended for export.
reducing present rates Is per
cent. The Omaha Chamber of
Commerce took up the matter. and
n conference was arranged between
the presidents OF the roads center
ing In Omaha and a committee was
selected. This committee was headed
| by John l.. Kennedy, and a confer
ence was held In Chicago. The rail
road presidents. however. declined to
grant the relief asked.
Tho next stap was to put the mat.
ter before the Interstate Commerce
commission. where the committee
again met with a refusal. One other
door might be opened. and that was
to secure an increase in the import
duty on wheat from Canada. Under
the Fordney-McCumbe tariff law. the
president has authority. on showing
by the tariff commission. 60 increase
by 30 per cent any import laid by
that law The task then was to In
terest the president. and get from
him some help, tho alternative being
to secure the passare Of an emer.
eency INV by congress. To this task
The Omaha Bee directed It's efforts
at once. proceeding along both lines
Of approach so opened.
Tariff Bill In Congress.
| Promptly. when congress convened
IN December. Representative william
son OF the Third South Dakota dis.
trlct introduced n measure that set
the duty on wheat at so cents a
hushel. This would give an increase
of 20 cents over the rite fixed by the
tariff law. and cents more than
the maximum which would he Sc
cured by presidential proclamation.
While Mr.. Williamson and other
western congressman have worked as.
sidlpusly TO secure action on this
measure. the ways and means com
mitteo OF the house, to which Il was
referred. has had its time occupied TO
the exclusion OF all other matters by
the revenue and bonus bills.
Speedy relief through congress be.
Ing out of reach. the president was
approached. y. p. updike and others
who knew the urgency OF the situa.
ton. called at the White House to
glvo Mr.. Coolidge the facts. The
president acted promptly and ap.
poaied 20 the tariff commission. on
January 20 Ths Omaha Bee printed