Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1927-12-16
Comment On The Presidents
Message.


There has been a great deal Of criticism
Of many OF the recommendations Of Pfesi-
dent Coolidge in his annual MESSAGE to
Congress. Particularly are farm leaders
dissatisfied with his failure to offer q con-
structive suggestion for the relief Of
agriculture. His position with reference
to food control in the Mississippi basin is
also under FIRE, because OF his insistence
that the people in the food area. help to
pay the cost Of food control. although the
water which causes the damage flows into
the Mississippi from nearly half continent
tai United States and although thousands
Of the food sufferers are bankrupt. many
Of them even unable to pay taxes. much
less contribute to the enormous cost Of food
control
ln that part OF his message dealing with
taxation. the President insisted upon the
adoption Of the tax plan proposed by Mr..
Mellon. although that plan has already been
repudiated by Republicans as well as Dem
ocratic Members Of the House Ways and
Means Committee and is also strongly op-
posed by the United States Chamber Of
Commerce. speaking for large part Of the
business interests Of the country. which
is urging the Democratic program Of a re-
duction Of approximately $400. 600. 900.
1t is in what the President had to say
about agriculture and the tariff that be
greatly disappointed the farming interests.
He showed himself still opposed to any Of
the suggestions for farm relief which the
farm organizations have put forward. and
again put himself on record as against any
revision Of the tariff whatever. although
such revision has been urged by the farm
organizations and is recommended by the
Business Mems Commission" sponsored
by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce and
the National Industrial Conference, which
urged tariff revision as one of the most
effective methods Of improving the condi-
dition of agriculture. The chairman Of
the committee making this recommends
ton was Charles Naeel. Republican. Sec
rotary of Commerce and Labor. in the cab-
net Of President Taft. Not only Democrats,
but many Republicans voiced criticism Of
these parts of the Presidents message
and he was accused Of telling half-truths.
For instance, discussing the tariff and az
riculture, he said that everything the
farmer uses in farming is already on the
free list" While it is ture that many a.
ricultural implements are on the free list,
everything that enters into their manufac-
ture pays heavy duty. which is reflected
in the finished product and this has added
millions Of dollars annually to the cost Of
these implements to the farmers. The
President also said that nearly everything
he (the farmer) sells is protected" 1t is
true that while there are tariff duties on
many farm products, they are on commodi-
ties which America exports and which are
sold in world markets at world prices and
therefore are not affected a particle by a
duty on such imports into America.
One of the Republicans to criticise the
message was Senator McNary, of OREGON,
co-author Of the McNary- Haueen farm bill,
who said the President held out no sympa-
thy for agriculture whatever. Senator Nc
Nary made it clear the fight for farm lee-
islation would be pressed with good
chance" to pass the bill over the Presi-
dents veto.
Mississippi Valley Members of the Sen.
ate and House were especially critical Of
that portion of the Presidents message
relating to food control. Senator Cara.
way, Of Arkansas, went so far as to say
that Mr.. Coolidge appeared to be sec.
tional President" who is willing to aid the
flood sufferers Of New England but not dis
posed to help those Of the Mississippi
Valley.