Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-11
LEGISLATION AIMED
To HELP FARMERS
IN DESPERATE JAM
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Ueased Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1920

Copyright, 1924
WASHINGTON, March S.-Legis.
iation to relieve the economic dis
tress of agriculture, which to the
west at least Is of paramount i'm.
portance and may vitality affect the
political battle of 1924 has gotten
into a clumsy jam.
The so-called farm bloc in con-
gress is at skies and sevens. All
sorts of measures intended of
course, sincerely to be helpful are
on the calendar but the outlook at
present is that no one of them will
command a majority and unless the
champions Of the farmer put their
heads together there is danger that
nothing of value will be accom-
plished
In the last few days opposition
has crystallized against the McNary-
Haugen bill. The protests are COM
ing not only from the farmers CO.
operative organizati tons but from
milling interests. A body blow was
delivered at the bill by representa-
tive Sydney Anderson, of Minnesota,
one of the most ardent supporters
of the farmers interest in congress
and a man who has the confidence
of the so-called radicals.
Bill Would Hurt Farmers
Mr.. Anderson says the proposed
measure is unavoidable and imprac.
ticable" and that the farmer will
be the greatest sufferer from its i'm,
position should it become law" The
McNary- Haugen bill is a complicated
affair which even Mr.. Anderson adj
mits is-plausible. 1t provides that the
price of one or more of certain spec
flied farm products, namely wheat,
flour, corn, raw cotton, wool, cattle,
sheep and swine or any of their
food products, be maintained by gov
eminent action at a price level cor
responding to the price level of all
commodities.
Thus the government would set
up an establishment with capital of
5000, 100000 and would handle the
export crop applying an excise tax
of say one cent bushel on the do
mestic production and applying APP
proximately four cents bushel
from that accumulation to offset
losses on export transactions.
While various farm products are
included within the jurisdiction of
the measure, Mr.. Anderson thinks
~ ~
cept to wheat. He believes a ratio
of prices can not be maintained be-
cause it is necessary that If farm
prices go up that other prices go
down.
The milling interests are complain
ing that the bill would interfere
with their business and there are
others who think the ordinary laws
of supply and demand had better be
left alone
What the proponents Of the Nc
Nary Haugen bill argue, however, Is
that the farmers export could be
best handled by the government and
that the operation would tend to fix
the domestic price of wheat at a
higher level.
Higher Wheat Tariff Ordered
Meanwhile President Coolidge has
proclaimed a higher tariff on wheat
in the hope that this will cause the
domestic price to rise. The farmers
have been complaining that the
Fordney- McCumber law has been
hitting them both ways-not only
has it been ineffective in keeping
out foreign wheat but with reduced
earnings the farmer has had to pay
higher prices for the articles he has
to buy, things which on account or
tariff protection have advanced in
price. Should the new tariff rates
fail to keep out competitive wheat
the farmer will go off the reserva-
ton politically this year-that much
seems assured-so the administra
ton is hoping the latest move up
ward of the tariff will hold agricul-
ture in line.
Just now the Norbeck bill has the
right of way in the senate. 1t pro
poses to appropriate $5O,OO0,0OO
which shall be lent 10 farmers in
sums not exceeding $1,000 so that
hogs, sheep and COWS may be pur-
chased and the wheat farmer en-
courag ed TO diversity his interests
Some of the opponents of the bill
claim it is unconstitutional. Nearly
every measure proposed is attacked
on one ground or another, usually
that it is not economically sound
Any Moses who can this year rise
up in congress to deliver the farmer
out of his wilderness of debts and
deprecated price levels will win un-
dying fame and may be a presiden-
tial nomination.
e-POund HailStoneS
CALCUTTA. - A terrific hall
storm caused immense damage IN
r,orth bern Rurma In manN nlaCeS me