Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-09

With the enormous outlay that Is
now being made in behalf OF the
veterans and their dependents, with
a tremendous war debt still requiring
great annual expenditure. with the
still high rate of taxation, while
every provision should be made for
the relief of the disabled and the
necessary care of dependents. the
Congress may we'll consider whether
the financial condition of the Govern
ment is not such that further bounty
through the enlargement of general
pensions and other emoluments
ought not to be postponed.
Agriculture
No doubt the position of agricul-
turc as whole has very much inn
proved since the depression of three
and four years ago. But there are
many localities and many groups of
individuals, apparently through no
fault of their own, sometimes due to
climatic conditions and sometimes to
the prevailing price of a certain crop,
still in distressing condition. This
Is probably temporary, but il is none
the less acute. National Government
agencies, the Departments of Agri-
culture and Commerce. the Farm
Loan Board, the intermediate credit
banks, and the Federal Reserve
Board are all cooperating to be of
assistance and relief. On the other
hand, there are localities and indi-
viduals who have had one of their
| most prosperous years. The general
price level is fair, but here again
there are exceptions both ways, some
items being poor while others are eX-
cellent In spite of lessened
production the farm income for this
year will be about the same as last
year and much above the three pre-
ceding years.
Agriculture is a very complex in
dustry. 1t does not consist of one
problem, but of several. They can
not be solved at one stroke. They
have to be met in different ways, and
small gains are not to be despised.
1t has appeared from all the in
vestigations that l have been able to
make that the farmers as a whole
are determined to maintain the in
dependence of their business. They
do not wish to have meddling on the
part of the Government or to be plac-
ed under the inevitable restrictions
| involved in any system of direct or
indirect price, fixing. which would re-
suit from permitting the Government
| to operate in the agricultural
markets. They are showing a very
| commendable skill in organizing
| themselves to transact their own
business through cooperative market
! ing. which will this year turn over
about $2,500,000,000, or nearly one
| fifth of the total agricultural bust
ness. In this they are receiving help
! from the Government. The Depart
ment of Agriculture should be
| strengthened in this facility. in order
| to be able to respond when these
marketing associations want help.
While it ought not to undertake I'M
due regulation. it should be equipped
to give prompt information on crop
| prosects, supply, demand. current
receipts, imports. exports. and prices.
| a bill embodying these principles,
| which has been drafted under the
| advice and with the approval of sub
| stantialy all the leaders and man.
| ayers in the cooperat tive movement.
| will be presented TO the Congress for
its enactment. Legislation should
| also be considered to provide for
| leasing the unappropriated public
| domain for grazing purposes and
| adopting uniform policy relative to
, grazing on the public lands and in
| the national forests.
a more intimate relation should be
| established between agriculture and
| the other business activities of the
! Nation. They are mutually de-
| pendent and can each advance their
| own prosperity most by advancing
! the prosperity of the other. Mean
| time the Government will continue
! those activities which have resulted
:, in an unprecedented amount of legis-
| lation and the pouring out of great
J sums of money during the last five
J years. The work for good roads,
better land and water transportation
| increased support for agricultural
| education. extension of credit facili-
, ties through the Farm Loan Boards
| and the intermediate credit banks,
| the encoura cement of orderly mar
F., keting and a repression of wasteful
, speculation. will all be continued.
Following every other depression
! after short period the price of farm
produce has taken and maintained
! the lead in the advance. This ad-
vance had reached a climax before
| the war. Everyone will recall the
discussion that went on for four or
| five years prior to 1914 concerning
the high cost Of living. This history
is apparently beginning to repeat
itself. While wholesale prices of
! other commodities have been declin-
/ ing, farm prices have been increas-
| ing. There is every reason to sup
! pose that new era in agricultural
prosperity lies just before us, which
| will probably be unprecedented.
Muscle Shoals
The problem of Muscle Shoals
| seems to me to have assumed a place
| all out of proportion with its real inn
| portance. 1t probably does not rep
! resent in market value much more
than a first-class battleship. yet it
| has been discussed in the Congress
| over a period of years and for months
| at time. 1t ought to be developed
| for the production of nitrates
! primarily, and incidentally for power
| purposes. This would serve de-
| fensive, agricultural and industrial
| purposes. l am in favor of disposing
of this property to meet these pur-
! poses. The findings of the special
commission will be transmitted to
| the Congress for their information.
! | am convinced that the best possible
| disposition can be made by direct
| authorization of the Congress. AS a
! means of negotiation l recommend
| the immediate appointment of a
( small joint special committee chosen
| from the appropriate general stand
] ing committees of the House and
Senate to receive bids. which when
| made should be reported with recon-
: mendations as to acceptance, upon
which 4 law should be enacted. eff
fecting a sale TO the highest bidder
who will agree TO carry out these
| purposes.
/ If apNtbiup varo paeded IN demon
strate the almost utter incapacity Of
| the Natinnnl GnNernnlnnt to deal