Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-17
lie Tariff and the Farmer

The congressional rescuers VI TIE farmer and The
representative of the various farm organisations who
have met At Washington ATE apparently not near IA
agreement, notwithstanding the urging Of President
Coolidge, who stands n the offng and i~nstruetz them
~ get together"
However, for tho past year a body 81 national
business men have been studying the problem. Farm
experts have been employed. surveys completed IN every
Part oil The United States and d complete rheck-up
made on the various farm commodities. the cost ~ pro-
duction, method and cost of marketing. and the ulti-
mate cost " the consumer The spread between the
farmer and consumer has been investigated. and in
most cases. especially in connection with staple pro-
duets, such AZ corn and wheat, has not been found ab-
normal.
Charles Narvi ~ St. Louis. chairman 81 the business
mems commission to study farm products. has issued
a report on The Findings of the Investigation which
have proved surprising 70 both politicians and farm
ers; and Is especially 50 in view Of the fact that the
majority " the commission is composed of republicans
The report states frankly that the complaint Of
the western fafmers about tariff discrimination
against them is justified. and adds that Protective
policies which tend 70 place artificial obstacles ia the
way 81 natural and normal extension 81 markets for
American farm products. and which tend 70 increase
the domestic costs cf their production, should be sub
jected 70 careful reconsideration with a view 20 equal
izin1 their effects. IA
This statement, enlanating from a body Of business
men. will not prove welcome to the high-rroteetive al
ministration az Washington, and 1t will also probably
be subject TO severe censufc from many Of the so-called
congressional rescuers" who propose ~ aid the farm
ers through a national subsidy.
One Of the most extraordinary features Of the re-
port, extraordinary Ia the fact that II Is without prece-
dent in the history Of reports on agricultural matters
Al that TIE mmissiu does nct profess 40 have dis
covered a panacea for the lbs of the American farm
ers. One of tho conclusion reached is chat the govern
ment should keep out 81 any direct agricultural BUSH
ness. and opposes the revolving fund feature q the
M~cNary-Haugen bill.
The commission indicates that in their opinion the
farmers cnn hid themselves through tho establishment
of better production and marketing systems and the
elimination on competition between groups. The gov
eminent could ala them by TAX reduction, especially BY
reducing the tariff tax. By coordinating transportation
facilities. ana more LIBERAL farm credits. II could also
aid, tho report says, By raiylrg every technical re-
source IN getting rita "a plant diseases and pests and
needless agricultural wastc-al with the aim of better
frr production and reducing costs
The report should be sufficient 10 convince the
most sicnticai farmer that the business men Of the
country are ia sympathy ~vith'them and TIM tit is their
earnest desire ~ understand his position and needs
The business men realize however, that neither they
ror congress cnn work out the farmers problem,
though both can help the farmer help him self. Upon
nv farmer dcYolves TIE duty cf solving his own prob
lerr. ana re first step toward that solution is organiza-
fior-thr same step that industry. iahor and finance
were compelled W. take ~ establish Themselves upon d
Prominently prosperous basis.