The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1925-06-18
Our Washington Letter


The farmer.
Inc administration and political lea.
ders of the major part is showing g
tendency to frown on efforts to
embroil the farmer at a time when
the signs point to his ability to work
out his own salvation thru the ma
tural operation of economic laws.
Feeling EXISTS there that some
writer's everyday their hands in spe-
culating upon the significance of the
Presidents recent visit to Minneso-
ia. It is true that his personal talks
made a deep impression upon the far
mers of the northwest and undoubt-
edly influenced local politics in Min
nesota, but not to the extent assum-
ed by some observers.
It is apparent that Mr.. Coolidge
is determined to reduce legislative
panaceas for the farmers and bust
ness men to a minimum. Missionaries
Of the Administration are ready
preaching the gospel of common
sense thruout the country. Senator
Fess of Ohio has spoken twice with
in a few days warning of the growth
of bureaucracy and the "mania for
legislation. It is probably true
that Senator Fess is echoing the SEN
timent of many thoughtful taxpayers
in declaring that there is a danger
Gus trend in legislation of the day."
Senator Fess says that spokesman
for the farmers are frequently I'M
reasonable in their demands in that
"they want ready made remedy
Another missionary is F. H. Gun
nigham, a member of the Federal
Reserve Board. who is preaching the
rule of reason in the northwest.
This Federal financial expert does
not attach much weight to the acti-
vities of professional legislative a.
gents of the farmers. He feels that
the time is at hand when the farmer
should resent efforts of certain of
groups to "carry the discredit that
attaches to it at this time by reason
of the indiscreet expressions of
those who thoughtlessly misrepre-
sent it." Mr.. Cunningham insists
that it is marvellous that the Ameri-
can farmer a function under and
still remain solvent in spite of the
unusual amount of misrepresenta-
ton as to his condition.
1t is obvious that the Reserve
Board official expresses the views of
many Government men in Washing
ton on the agricultural problem when
he says, "the sum of it all is that
legislation, by itself, means nothing
to the producer unless it can be ac-
companied by good business prac-
tice, intelligent production and the
sound financing"
Professor David Friday, one of
the foremost economists of the coun-
try, has made an intensive study of
the agricultural situation, especial
ly as it relates to prices. His con
are to the effect that prices
farm products are relatively high
er, output of farms has increased by
40 per cent, altho the actual number
Of farms has decreased with the in
flux to large communities. No mat
ter where an inquiry is made from
apparent impartial sources, the OPT
MON prevails that the American far
ner is gradually coming into his own
out it will require time and patience
IN his part to bring his economic con-
lition up to a level with other indus
Financial leaders coming to Wash
ngton for conferences with the Trea-
Jury Department are discussing the
probability of legislation at the next
ession of Congress allowing the ex-
ension Of branch banking. This sub
ect is of Importance to small towns
where bank failures have an unusu-