Evening star., 1926-06-11
PRESIDENT SEEKS
TO AID FARMERS
Constructive Proposal to
Solve Problems Will Win
His Support.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


President Coolidge has determined
that if there is a chance for a con-
structive proposal for farm relief to
TO adopted at this session of Congress
he will give it every encouragement
and support.
The visit Of Representatives Hau-
gen and Dickinson of Iowa and Rep
resentative Anthony of Kansas to the
office of Secretary Mellon is the first
step in a get-together program. The
meeting was arranged through the
good offices Of Representative Menges
of the Pennsylvania delegation. The
purpose of it was to exchange views
on the economic phases of the vari-
Gus suggestions that have been made
for farm relief.
Mr.. Mellon, on his side. was anxious
to get first hand the views of those
who are adv vocating an equalization
fee and subsidy program. The Sec
retary listened carefully to the argu-
ments presented and said he would
study the problem further and per
haps make some suggestions.
Doubts Value to Farmers.
The President has been examining
many letters and memoranda on the
subject--in fact, has been giving his
time in recent weeks mostly to farm
relief proposals. He is definitely con-
vinced that the proposals thus far
made would not benefit the farmer to
the extent that is claimed. Under the
various pieces Of legislation proposed
he feels that the surplus will pass
out Of the hands of the farmer when
4 ~ h0 oyr M nriCa
to be fixed. In other words, assum-
ing that the entire surplus is han
died by an export corporation, the
question is raised that the farmer will
have sold his grains and will not
have any further control over the
price that will be obtained in the ex-
port market.
Mr. Melons interest in the farm
problem is from the financial stand
point. He wishes to satisfy himself
as to the extent to which the Gov
ernment funds would have to be used
In financing export operations. 1t can
be said authoritatively, however, that
there is no likelihood that the prin-
ciples hitherto advocated by the West
ern Republicans who have been
| championing the McNary- Haugen
plan would be accepted by the ad-
| ministration. It Is, on the other hand,
very probable that analysis of the
scheme will be forthcoming from the
administration very soon. 1t will be
recalled that Vice President Dawes
has been in consultation recently
| with advocates Of farm relief 1eg1sla-
ton, and that he has decided that a
plan could be developed which would
| be economically sound.
Would Give Reasons.
Mr.. Dawes. who was at the head of
a. big banking institution before he
came to Washington, won for him.
self considerable prestige as an econO-
mist in connection with the settle
ment of the German reparation prob
lem. News Of his leaning toward the
| plans of the Western Republicans
has created much talk in administra-
ton circles, where it Is felt that some
| thing ought to be said as to the
merits of the various schemes pro-
posed, and that Secretary Mellon is
| the man to say it, because of the rep
utation he has with the country at
large as a sound adviser on the fiscal
| policies of the Government.
Whether the efforts to reach a
compromise will succeed is not so
| important at the moment to the ad-
ministration as the manifestation of
a desire to go to the heart Of the
problem. The administration up to
| this time has kept silent, but will
not hesitate hereafter to assume the
offensive. The speech made by Sena-
! tor Fess Of Ohio has rather strength
ened the view that If the administra-
ton leaders are not going to permit
the McNary-Haugen plan to pass they
should explain their reason and offer
a constructive alternative
The creation Of a Federal farm
board to coordinate the work Of CO.
operative farm legislation. which, in
turn, shall have the sole RESPONSE
bility of the handling of the surplus
problem is the line of thought on
which the administration is working
Copyright. 1920