Evening star., 1928-12-28
FARM COMPROMISE
EFFORT EXPECTED
Solution Seen in Statement
by Hoover How He Stands
on New McNary Bill.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Everybody wants to help the farmer
now. Members of Congress who never
knew how friendly they were toward
farm relief are now insisting that a
farm bill be passed at this session and
an extra session avoided.
This may sound inconsistent, but back
of 1t is fundamental reasoning. Take
Nicholas Longworth, Speaker of. the
House of Representatives. He says that
If the need for handling the export
problem is what the farm leaders have
for years said 1t was then another crop
should not be harvested without having
the machinery going for handling the
export situation.
Mr.. Longworth is popular figure in
Congress. He is liked because he thinks
soundly. He doesn't disagree with
Representative Tilson, the majority
leader, that tariff revision should be
undertaken, but he believes tariff changes
are too vital to be made hurriedly. IT
an extra session is called for farm relief
the Intervening Of the two measures
must mean delay and some confusion. II
the farm measure Is passed at this
session, MIR. .Longworth thinks industry
vii, have plenty of time to get ready for
the tariff debote, which he thinks might
we'll begin with the calling of an extra
session in September, which can merge
with the regular session in December.
Better Chance for Hoover.
But more important than this is the
view of the Speaker that Herbert Hoo
yer would have better chance to
grn npple with the big problems ahead of
him If he were not thrust headlong
inO an extra session, which, II farm
relief were not then passed, would
mean the calling of Congress In. April.
When President-elect Hoover gets
back to Washington he will find that
the Eongworth view Is held by men like
Senator Moses of New Hampshire, and
that Senator Borah is arguing for an
extra session only because he believes
at this time on farm bill. u:
Maybe it is difficult, but Congress has
way of turning somersaults and speed
ing legislation when all minds are met.
There Is no opposition to- g. farm. bill
without an equalization fee. 1t can be
drafted in week and passed in "a
hours. Many measures are pending that
fill these specifications. ~
The truth of the matter is that
among the farm leaders Is hope that
perhaps Herbert Hoover will lean a
little more toward McNary- Haugeriism
than will President Coolidge, or that
the appointment Of the Federal Farm
Board by the new President would in
sure more participation by representa-
tives of the interests that have sought
farm legislation for many years.
Can Eliminate Tangle.
Mr.. Hoover can quickly straighten
out this tangle. He can let 1t be known
that he stands for the new McNary
bill and wants it passed And President
Coolidge can let it be known that he
will leave to his successor the naming
of the personnel of the new board.
Would such agreements be possible?
The answer is that the fear of q dis
turbance in business through an" un-
timely tinkering with the tariff is
greater than is apparent on the sur
race, and the representatives in Con-
gress from Eastern. States will gladly
vote for the farm program, If by so
doing they have more opportunity to
prepare for the tariff. discussion later
on. If an extra session is to be avoid
ed, there are simple ways of avoiding it..
The big question is whether Mr..
Hoover will follow the suggestions of
men like the Speaker Of the House and
Senator Moses and attempt to get an
agreement with Mr.. Borah or take
unto himself a full-fledged job in
tackling farm relief and tariff in an
early session Immediately after his in
auguration. All signs point to a serious
effort to compromise on q plan calling
for farm bill that will be passed this
session and definite fixing Of the extra
session for September. ~'
(Copyright, 1929