Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-03
PRESIDENT GRANTS
FARMERS AUDIENCE.
Sympathizes With Relief
Plea, But Gives No Definite
Promise.
BY j. RUSSELL YOUNG.

During a conference at the White
House today between - President
Coolidge and % delegates from the
North Central States Agricultural Con
ference that met recently In DeS
Moines, Iowa, and joint committee
of Congress, the President was told
briefly of the farm problem of the
country and was given some idea OF
what Is desired in the way of legisla-
ton to relieve what was described as
a serious situation"
These farm leaders told the Presi-
dent they are united in their belief
that justice and sound economic policy
require that the farmers Of the Nation
the level of other economic groups.
Favor Dickinson Bill.
To enable the farmers to adjust
their supply of farm commodities to
meet the American demand by con-
trolling the marketing of the surplus,
they believe the Dickinson bill now
pending in the House is satisfactory
They want a Federal agricultural
board to equaliZe responsibility for
surplus farm commodities, any deficit
that may be incurred in the distribu-
ton of the surplus to be borne by the
producers themselves and the actual
buying, storing and selling to be done
with the support of the board by the
organizations Of the producers them
selves. with provisions for immediate
operation through other agencies
wherever producer organizations are
not or cannot be organized for I'M
mediate needs.
Representative Purnell of Illinois,
chairman of the joint congressional
committee. presented the delegation to
the President. The spokesman for
the farmers was Thomas eastman of
Minnesota who said that he repre-
scented 10000 farmers. George N.
Peak of Illinois, chairman of the COM
mittee of %, representing the Des
Moines Conference, told the President
that men representing the industries.
the business and financial institutions
directly concerned with agricultural
prosperity, indorse the requests for re-
lief legislation.
Cows. John Hammill of Iowa, who
called the Des Moines Conference, and
Carl Gunderson of South Dakota, also
made brief addresses during the con-
ference with the President.
Mr.. Coolidge expressed the hope that
something will be done by the present
Congress. He reminded his callers
that many theories relative to the
farm situation are being advanced and
hoped something would be decided
upon that would come near meeting
the views Of the greatest number OF
those affected.
President Sympathetic.
The President did not commit him
self to any particular view proposing
farm relief, nor did he make any direct
promise regarding his support. The
farm delegation, however, appeared
we'll pleased with their call, and left
the White House feeling that while
1t got no specific promise from the
President he at least appeared sym
pathetic toward the cause, and gave
every evidence of wanting to see some
thing done to bring the greatest
amount of relief.
Although Secretary of Agriculture
Jardine on one or two occasions has
spoken favorably Of some features of
the Dickinson bill, the President is
known to look unfavorably upon this
measure, and it Is thought by those
close to him that If it succeeds In pass
ing both the House and Senate it Is
doubtful that he would sign it.
Following their conference with the
President the delegation went to the
Department of Agriculture, where II
conferred with Secretary Jardine.