The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-06-18
WASHINGTON LETTER
(Special to Sank Centre Herald

Washington, June 17-When there
is nothing else to talk about in Wash.
ington, it is always good political
policy to manifest for. the farmer
Sentiment has been changing of late
and there is growing evidence of a
desire to look at the facts and
not theories in regard to agricul-
ture. During the rush season in the
Capitol when Congress is in session,
you can always find groups OF men
peddling legislative nostrums which
are, in the last analysis, more for po-
litical effect than a consideration OF
economical factors affecting the farm
err.
The administration and political
leaders of the major part is showing
a tendency to frown on efforts to en-
broil the farmer at time when the
signs point to his ability to work out
his own salvation through the natural
operation of economic laws.
Feeling exists there that some
writer's over-played their hands IN
specializing upon the significance OF
the Presidents recent visit to Mime
sofa. 1t is true that his personal
talks made a deep impression upon
farmers of the Northwest and UNI
doubtedly influenced local policies in
Minnesota, but not to the extent as
sumed by some observers.
1t is apparent that Mr.. Coolidge is
determined to reduce legislative pan"
aceas for the farmers and business
men to a minimum. Missionaries OF
IL 90, qIrp26U
preaching the gospel of common
sense throughout the country. Sen
ator Foss of Ohio has spoken twice
within a few days warning OF the
growth of bureaucracy and the "man-
ia for legislation" 1t is probably true
that Senator Foss is echoing the sem
timent of many thoughtful taxpayers
in declaring that there is danger.
Gus trend in legislation of the day."
Senator Foss says that spokesman for
the farmers are frequently unreason-
able in their demands in that "they
want a ready-made remedy"
Another missionary is F H. Cum
ningham, 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 actlvl-
ties of professional legislative agents
of the farmers. He feels that the
time is at hand when the farmer
should resent efforts of certain
groups to carry "the discredlt that
attaches to it at this time by reason
of the indiscrect expressions OF those
who thoughtlessly misrepresent 1t. "
Mr.. Cunningham insists that it s mar
yelous that the American farmer can
function under and still remain sol
vent in spite of the unusual amount
of Misrepresentation as to his con-
dition.
It is obvious that the Reserve
Board official expresses the views of
MANY Government men in Washing
ton on the agri -;,ltural problem when
he saws: "the sum of it all is that
legislation, by itself, means nothing
to the producer unless it can be &C
complished by good business practice,
intelligent production and sound
financing" :,
Professor David Friday, one Of the
foremost economists of the country,
has made an intensive study OF the
agricultural situation, especially as
it relates to prices. His conclusions
are to the effect that prices OF farm
products are relatively higher; out
put on farms has increased by 4O
DER cent, although the actual number
of farms has decreased with the in
flux to large communities. No mat
fer where an inquiry is made from
arpa, ent impartial sources, the opln-
ion r1 evails that the American. farm
ef is gradually coming into his own
hut it will require time and patience
on his part to bring his economic
condition UP to level with other IN
dustries. WI
F,nancial leaders coming to Wash
ington for conferences With the
Treasury Department are discussing
tha probability of legislation at the
naxt session of Congress allowing the
aytension of branch banking. This
subject is Of peculiar importance 70
small towns where banK laruIeS
have an unusually disastrous eHect.
Il .oems that the remedy sugg esscu IS
tn have larger banks which can 81
ford to spread their risks over va
riatv of industries and over conslo-
cradle territory. 80, !.
Treasury officials say that tn: at
+tnnt to provide banking fach1as 10
tha small communities, and part.cli-
ar;v TO communities where the doml-
nant INDUSTRY is agriculture, by
means of small independent banks,
has proven a failure. It is Likewise
said that the effort to safeguard the
deposits of the people in these small
banks by means of guarantee OF de-
posts, has also proven a failure.
Government figures show that It is q
sar;nus problem as 753 banks failed
in this country last year, nearly all OF
them in agricultural States.
The transfer of the summer White
House to Swampscott, Massachusetts
raises an interesting question for the
State Department and the pronloi-