The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-15
WOOLLEN ASKS
Low TARIFF TO
AID FARMERS
Says Agriculture Workers
0VerCharged in Debate
With Dickinson.
BIZ Times Special

WIN DICKINSON.
BIZ Times Special
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, Aug
15.-Downward revision OF the tariff
to lower the price of things the
farmer buys, rather than price
raising legislation for his products
would be accomplish agricultural re-
lief, contended Evans Woollen, Indi-
annapolis banker. before the institute
of public affairs at the University of
Virginia Tuesday night.
Woollen's views were expounded
in debate with Congressman L. j
Dickinson OF Iowa, leader of farm
relief legislative movements tor
many years and ardent champion of
the Inflated McNary- Haugen bill.
To the question: rs There a Cen
uine Agricultural Problem?" VOL
lens answer was that there is; that,
insofar as it is problem in leg
islatlon, it is not of recent origin, but
is "the product of fifty years; and
that it can not be solved overnight
by any single piece of legislation. but
can be soundly dealt with only by
such omprehensive agricultural
policy as the country never has had.
Dickinson Argues for Law
Equality to agriculture can only
come through legislation" was Con-
gressman's Dickinson's declaration.
THE protective system is such a
part Of our economic existence that
it can not be abandoned and there
fore must be extended"
Dickinson, Republican protection
list, was loyal to party principles as
was Woollen. Democrat, advocate Of
lower tariff.
THE history of agriculture in old
er countries shows" said Dickinson,
that when left alone to combat
other interests with legislative pro-
lection, agriculture degenerates to
peasantry.
Must Be Self Financing
"The law of supply and demand"
he said, 'is practically nullifed by
the centralized tendency in modern
business which permits price die
tation.'
Relief cannot be expected from
public funds under a dole system,
he said, but must be self financing.
"The farm group has suggested
the equalization fee. No substitute
has been offered" he added.
National legislation is demanded,
he argued, because no suggestions
other than a national policy can
bring in all the individuals inter-
ested; cooperative groups fail be-
cause few members are bearing
the expenses Of the operation for
the benefit of the whole number;
and other interests have benefited
by such legislation and the farmer
is entitled to the same consider
alton"
Presents Three Issues
But" said Woollen, there are
three Of these price-raising propos-
ais, identical in purpose, different in
method. First, the McNary-
Haugen bill, which undertook to
raise prices by getting rid of the
Surpluses, a method requiring ma
chinery so cumbersome and extern
Siye that it would be in danger of
breaking down, and of doubtful con-
stitutionality.
Second, price raising by bounty.
Third, issuance, by the Government
to the exporter of surplus agricul-
tural products a debenture receiv-
able in payment of import duties"
Then Woollen summed up his OBJ
jections to all three as:
Woollen Gives Objections
"O Increased production would
inevitably result and, under the
bounty plan, intolerably burden the
public treasury, or under the Nc
Nary-Haugen plan, defeat the &C
complishment permanently of the
purpose.
go Foreign countries would re-
taliate against the dumping of our
increasing SURPRISES.
"(3) The domestic market would
be narrowed by the higher prices.
40 Our general well-being and
our power to compete information
ally would be impaired by increased
living COSTS"
Transportation rates, Woollen ar
gued, have been favorable to indus
trial centers as against agricultural
areas; taxation has borne unduly on
the farmer.
Lower Price to Farmer
The protective tariff has borne
unduly on the farmer, the last boost
in tariff rates having been made in
1922, at just the time when unpro-
tected agriculture would be farther
damaged by raising the prices of
protected commodities, and so in
creasing the lack Of equilibrium be-
tween agriculture and industry.
Having considered the proposals
to increase agricultural income by
raising the prices Of agricultural
products either through tariffs
thereon or through devices such as
the MNary- Haugen BILL" Woollen
concluded. There remains the pro-
posal to increase agricultural in
come not by raising the prices of
the things the farmer sells, but by
lowering the prices of the things
the farmer buys, and by extending
markets abroad for his products.
THAT means tariff revision down.
ward on non-agricultural commodi-
ties. Mindful of my subject, I do