Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-16
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents message.
An economic problems proper solu-
ton is to be found in the field OF eco
Monies, not In the field of politics,
President Hoover says. This is the key
note of his message to Congress. rec
onamending that farm-relief legislation
be enacted and that there should be
limited tariff revision. For years now,
the farm problem has been foot ball
of politics. The solutions advanced
have been. In many cases. closely IN
volved with the political aspirations OF
candidates for Office. 1t was politics
which prevented farm-relief legislation
In the last administration. It is poll
tics which even now threatens to de-
Law the passage of legislation in the
present administration. President Hoo
yer. however, has the advantage Of hav-
ing carried the great farm States OF the
country in the presidential election with
his program for the farmers laid be-
fore them. The politicians have been
able in the past to prevent any farm
legislation, hoping that the farmers
themselves would arise and overthrow
the administration. But, now farmers
themselves, backing the President, have
indicated their faith in the ability Of
the Chief Executive to deal with the
problem of farm relief.
In a message more brief, perhaps,
than any other transmitted by Chief
Executive of the United States to new
Congress at It's opening session, Mr..
Hoover has, in the vernacular, said
mouthful" Any one who reads the
message will be able to understand
what he favors with regard to farm re-
lief and tariff revision to aid certain Of
the American manufacturing interests.
He does not tell Congress in exact
piraseology Just what measures 1t shall
enact. He makes no effort to frame a
farm bill or tariff bill in his message.
He does indicate clearly, however, the
lines which he believes such legisla-
ton should follow and the limits which
should be set.
The President desires the creation OF
a Federal Farm Board with wide pow
ers-a board that would be able to as
sist the farmers to meet their prob
lens and to help solve them on their
own merits. The President points out
the multiplicity of the problems which
confront the American farmers and the
impossibility Of curing AL ths6 ills with
any one or series Of pieces Of leeis-
Iation, He places reliance, however,
upon the creation of an agency which
would be able to inform, advise and
aid farmers to meet these differing
problems. He recommends also that
the Government provide sufdcient funds
to help the farmers toward more orderly
marketing Of their crops and to meet
the problems which arise from sur
pluses. xxi.
The President, however, is arm IN his
determination not to place the Govern
ment in the business Of buying and SELL
ing farm products He believes that
the farmers, through their own organi-
nations, will be able to deal with the
problems Of marketing and handling
surpluses, although they may need
loans from the funds provided by the
Government to aid them in their trans
actions. He is strongly opposed to the
imposition Of any fee or tax upon the
farmers.
Recognizing the fact that the Amer
ican farmers have q real problem, or
rather many real problems, President
Hoover demands that I'VE make
start" In the creation Of such Fed
eral Farm Board as he recommends, The
President sees q real start. II expert
ence shows need for further action, then
the President will not oppose it, he in
dicates.
Mr.. Hoover deals with the problem OF
tariff revision also from the point OF
view of economies rather than politics.
He regards an increase in the duties on
some of the farm products as measure
Of real aid to the farmers. He urges
the revision of tariff rates on American
produced commodities which have SUI
fered from foreign competition in re-
cent years, causing loss of employment
and production in this country. He ia
vors strengthening the Tariff Commits
sion and, so far as possible, removing
the tariff problem from politics ana
submitting 1t to the tests of economies.
Doubtless there will be those who
complain because the President has
failed to write q new tariff measure or
q farm-rehef bill into his message. The
President however. has properly left
the drafting of legislation to the Con-
gress, whose duty it is under the Con-
stitution. He has not left the Con-
gress In doubt as to what he believes
Il should do.