Evening star., 1927-11-23

Thoughtful attention his been given
by the press to the report OF the
Business Mems Commission on Agri-
culture, which was created by the
National Industrial Conference Board
and the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States to consider the farm
problem. BY many representative
dailies the commissions conclusions
are regarded as a long step toward
recognition of the rights and needs
of the farmer. Yet there is evident
in some quarters a feeling that the
very scope of the recommendations
means delay and inaction.
ITS Just more of the same patter
which has been fed to agriculture Tor
MANY wears past" says the Sioux City
Tribune Gndependent), while the To-
peka Daily Capital Republican, OBJ
serves that agriculture may Obtain
great benefits from the large policies
suggested by the commission, but
meanwhile farmers who have to live
will continue to be up against 1t.
The Chicago Daily News, however,
takes quite seriously the suggestion of
the commission that "a partial solu-
ton of the problem will be found IN
the reduction of duties on manufac-
tured goods" insisting that Its de-
liberate recommendations should not
he dismissed offhand and with few
convenient platitudes. The members
of that commission are not free trad
ers. and they cannot be accused or
wishing to destroy the protective sys-
tenn. cripple industries built up under
it. and bring about wage reductions.
They may be presumed heartily TO
desire the continuance of NATIONWIDE
prosperity and TO contribute W 4tS
increase
II is contended by the st. Paul Dis
match GndependenD that the commits
sion admits the case for the McNary-
Haucen bill, declares that the purpose
of the bill must be met, and only
draws back from specific approval OF
the bill itself. 1t is unfortunate. adus
the Dispatch, that the conclusion or
the commission in this respect was
NOT based upon the data that 1t gath
cred" The Houston Chronicle uDemo-
cratic) emphasizes its opinion that the
farmer has not dared frame such a
comprehensive plan as this business
mans plan, and he is ready to lay MS
plan aside and help put the other one
in effect. provided the large business
interests of the country VIII take the
lead in that direction"
X
CAS- it presents perhaps the most
thorough and most impartial survey
of the farm problem that has yet been
conducted. it should be valuable in
giving intelligent guidance to those
who recognize the gravity of the ques-
tion and are anxious to do whatever Is
nossihla in the way of its solution, y
declares the Baltimore Sun Gndepend-
ent Democratic), and the New York
Times independently, calling the report
.'the voice of business sensibly address
ing itself to the farm" suggests that
.'what first leaps to the eye in this re-
mort ia the fact that the complaint of
Western farmers about tariff dlscrim1-
nation against them is held to be JUS
tilted. Considering the makeup of the
commission, mostly Republican" the
Times adds. "thiS is as noteworthy as
it is surprising.
"Out Of this and other reports an
extended debate will come when the
Seventieth Congress meets" predicts
the Indianapolis News independently,
which praises the document as "nota.
bIe for it's thoroughness and it's calm
appraisal of factors entering into un'
satisfactory economic conditions in
farming" The Omaha WorldHerald
GndependenU concludes that with the
official admission of the business inter-
ests that tariff reform, lower freight
rates and waterways are essential to a
solution of the farm problem, and not
only essential but feasible and proper,
it will be no longer possible to de-
nounce aSA ignorant and destructive