The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-01-26
Bill to Lend
0OMillion to
Stock Farms
Administration Pushes Nor.
beck Proposal to Encour.
age Diversification in the
Grain States.
Loan Up to $1,000 Each
BY P. {. POWELL.

e. washington, Jan. 2o.-Spurred TO
, haste by continued pessimistic re-
ports from the wheat belt, the SEN
ate agricultural committee went into
executive session today and whipped
amendments on the Norbeck $50 0,000,-
900 relief bill in preparation for a
full committee vote on the measure
tomorrow. Following the meeting,
Senator George w. Norris, chairman
Of the committee, expressed belief
that the committee would vote in
favor of the measure at its meeting
tomorrow.
The Norbeck bill is the only one
OF three relief measures, including
Norris and McNary bills, which has
whole hearted approval of the presi-
dent to date. 1t is reported that it
was largely through the administra-
tions influence that the committee
began the sudden whipping of the bill
into shape today.
Loans Of $1,000 to Farmers. \
Following final action on the Nor.
beck bill tomorrow, the committee
will again resume its consideration
VI llc tABoi WI Pci"N'ci'
bill. Hearings on the Norris bill have
been completed. Action by the COM
mittee on either bill is not expected
for many days.
The Norbeck bill, as amended to-
day, provides for extension OF $50,
600, 900 to wheat farmers for pur-
chase of hogs, sheep. beef and dairy
cattle. No farmer shall receive more
than 81 900 from this fund and he Ia
permitted a period of five years TO
return the money to the government
at per cent interest.
The $50, 900, 900 would be expended
in the next three years, S2o,o00,0O0
the first year. a like amount the sec
nnd year and s10,000,00 the last year.
The livestock purchased by the farm
crs and their offspring are secur-
ity ON which the government will al
vance money.
The original bill called for 81 900 900
from the s5,000.000 for use in the
administration of the fund. This pro-
vision was stricken today and where
withaI with which to operate the plan
will be provided in the regular apprc
priation bill.
Magnus Jolinson's View.
Another amendment cut the secrc-
tary of the interior and secretary OF
labor from appointing the commission
TO handle the proposition with the
secretary of agriculture and leaves
the administration OF the plan abso-
lutely i'm the secretarr of agriculture.
lie names those to handle the FUNDS
and decides upon details and he IS
tho final tribunal under the bill rs
amended.
Senator Magnus johnson In two
hour speech insisted that contact or
dcers with farmers should be county
commissioners, exclusively. with coun-
~ farm agents, agricultural agents
and other farm organizations abso-
IuteIy barred Objections to the
Johnson plan were chiefly to the ef-
feet such procedure would tend TO
build a political machine for county
politicians and senators. "A COM
promise was effected whereby 1t Is
optional with those in charge of the
loans to use any one they see ut IN
dealing locally with borrowing
farmers.
Could BE Used In Nebraska.
This fund, Senator Peter Norbeck
told The Bees correspondent, can be
: used by Nebraska and Kansas wheat
farmers. as well as the larger bene
factors in North and South Dakota
Minnesota, Idaho and eastern Ore
.ron. 1t must be proved to those In
charge of the fund that the borrow
ing farmer has not the cash or credit
available with which to stock his
farm.
Committee hearings revealed that "a
per cent OF the farmers in North Da'
kota had no stock on their farm or
money or credit with which to pur'
chase stock and open the road for di
versified farming and reducing ol
wheat acreage in the northwest.
With the administration openly In
favor of this bill, 1t promises 10 be
pushed through the senate with speed
nroyiding administration influence u
sufficient In the agricultural com
mittee to report 1t out tomorrow as
promised.
The fate or the McNary ana Norris
bills is less promising at present, al
many observers believe many senators
and representatives will state thai
with the tariff commission investiga
tion of wheat values In Canada ano
the United States nearing conclusion
and a confident belief it will result
in an increased wheat tariff and with
the Norbeck bill passed and none,
advanced they will go no further a
this session.
1t was at the request of the admin
istration that the senate COMMITTEES
Il to take first action ON the Norbecl
bill. The house committee is to d,
nothing with 1t until 1t passes th'
senate and then rapid consideration
is expected In the house committee.