Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-18

benefit Of domestic industries and EN-.
ploy 1t to give to certain other domestic
industries q similar advantage on their
exports. ~
It proposes to give back to the farm
er q portion of what the tariff has con-
tinuously been taking out Of his pocket.
Annually there Is collected about $780,
600, 1000 on imports Of agricultural prod
ucts. The public pays that sum to
protect producers. Why could not a
portion Of that sum be utilized in the
same cause by giving tariff benefits to
other agricultural commodities. It was
estimated that the debenture plan
would cost not to exceed $l50,0o0,00O
annually.
The Government is spending millions
OF dollars annually to encourage the ex-
portstion Of American manufactured
goods.
Domestic freight rates are so con-
structed as to give an advantage TO the
exporter of manufactured goods. Steel
shipped from Chicago to San Francisco
for export costs 40 cents per 100
1t costs from 81 to $1.25 per 100
pounds; from Pittsburgh to New York
for export, 2012 cents, and "a for do
nestle consumption.
The rate on agricultural implements
from Chicago to San Francisco for ex-
port to the Chinese farmer costs 81
per 100 pounds. The same shipment,
II for domestic consumption by Amer
lean farmers. costs $1.93. Automobiles
shipped from Detroit to San Francisco
for export pay $2.1O per 100, but If
for domestic use cost $4.65. From De-
troit to New Orleans for export STA
and for domestic $3.50 per 100. These
determinations In rates in favor of ex-
ported manufactured goods are a form
of export debenture. Recently the
railroads, at the request of President
Hoover. reduced freight rates on grain
intended for export. The reduction
was nothing more nor less than an ex-
port debenture. II 1t Is sound to give
an advantage. to manufactured exports.
why Is it unsound to give an advantage
to farm products for export?
Farm Labor Competition, Too.
We are told by the manufacturer
that he cannot compete in the do
nestle market because he cannot COM
pete with the pauper labor Of Europe.
I suggest that every man who, out on
the plains Of the Dakotas and Mime
sofa, raises bushel of wheat by his
toll and the sweat Of his own body Is
competing with another man away out
yonder on the steppes of Russia or on
the plains of Rumania or Argentina.
the pauper labor of the world no less
than the manufacturer who receives
his bounty at the custom house. Every
man in the South who goes down the
hot cotton row in the Summer and
produces that great staple Is Compel
ing with some man yonder on the
banks Of the Nile and with some labor
er on a plantation in India.
If we are to protect manufacturers
from paupers abroad, 1t Is unjust by
the same process to create paupers at
home. II 1t is sound to pay bounty
to protect laborers In the factory, why
is 1t unsound by similar process to
protect laborers on the farm.
Under the debenture plan the pay
ment of debentures was to be optional
with the Farm Board. In times Of
stress and panic it could be applied.
With the establishment Of the market
authorized to set up, and with the ex-
port debenture plan tied into that mar
keting machinery, the American farmer
would have an agency Of real farm
relief.
The export debenture plan was de-
feated. It will be offered again as an
amendment to the pending tariff bill.
The country will hear more Of the ex-
port debenture plan.
Farm relief will not be settled until
it Is settled right.
The farmer constitutes one-third of
the population of the Nation. His in
come Is less than 10 per cent of the
national income. His economic Ills are
fundamental. They cannot be cured
by dieting. Agriculture needs a square
meal. It Is tired Of eating at the sec
ond table after other industries have
gorged their appetites. The farmer has
had enough Of hot air and sunshine.
He wants q little service himself.