Evening star., 1929-06-10

the farm-rellet bill. An agreement
to this effect was entered into this
afternoon.
BY the Associated Press.
Inclusion of the export debenture
plan in the farm relief bill was de-
manded in the Senate today by Sena-
tor Borah. Republican. Idaho, who
urged President Hoover to call the spe-
cial session to deal with the agricul-
tural problem.
Reading from the Republican plat
form he helped 10 frame. Senator Borah
declared it pledged the party to place
the farmer on an equality with in
dustry.
Supporters of the export debenture
contend" the Senator added, "and we
think we can show that the debenture
Is one of the indispensable steps neces-
sary to place agriculture on an equality
with other industries so long as other
industries enjoy the tariff"
The Republican protective tariff sys-
tenn is being tested as never before,
Mr.. Borah declared.
Speaks on Conference Report.
The Idaho Senator, who has played
leading role in the fight to have the
tebenture plan written into law. a plan
which has been>opposed by President
Hoover, and by the House, was speak
ing on the conference report on the
farm relief bill, which omits the de-
benture plan.
The prospects are that the debenture
nla Nf ,.,;IJ -
voted on in the Senate not later than
tomorrow night. If the conference re-
port fails, an impasSe over farm relief
legislation may result.
The protective system is a settled
policy in this country declared Sem
ator Borah. Il have no desire to de-
Stroy it. I believe in it. know that it
sometimes is abused in the interest of
privilege. But, as it was enunciated by
Hamilton and Clay and designed to
benefit all the people, it is sound poll
icy. Unless 1t applies to the Nation as
whole, 1t becomes a special privilege
and it becomes intolerable. say that
the protective system is being tested at
this time.
The test is whether the protective sys-
tenn can be made an aid to the whole
people, including the farmers, or
whether it is to be special privilege
for the few.
THE American farmer has no desire
to destroy this system, but desire to
share it. Those who advocate the de-
benture plan advocate it as a just part
of the protective system. In no sense
do they consider it as a gratuity to the
farmers. Let's not be miSled.
The farmer is asking for no gift,
but for equality, and this is one of the
methods by which he can obtain equal
ity"
Senator Borah pictured the American
farmer as occupying the lowest. rung of
the ladder IN this country. The farmer,
engaged in the basic industry of the
country, he said, receives less remunera-
ton for his labor than the tramp en-
ploye who works in the manufacturing
industries. The average income of the
American farmer, he said, is $736, while
the average income of an industrial
worker is between 1,400 and 81 500.
Yet the farmer has family to rear and
children to educate.
Third of Income for Taxes.
"These conditions said Senator
Borah, should move the Congress to
give the most candid consideration and
unbiased thought to the relief of the
farmer"
The Idaho Senator said that before
the war the American farmer paid one
tenth Of his income in taxes and that
now he pays one-third of his income in
taxes. He said that freight rates are I'D
so per cent since the war, which is
another drawback for the farmer. At
present, he declared, agricultural i'm
ports into this country valued at
$2,500, 100000 arrive here each year, al
though the American farmer is pre-
pared to produce these crops. In this
way, he said, the American farmer is
brought into competition with the
cheapest labor abroad.
This is the condition of agricul-
ture," said Senator Borah, land these
are the people we are here in special
session to serve if it is possible"
Senator Borah said that he was not
going to assume that the mind of "any
one" was closed against measures of
farm relief. It was clear to his hearers
that he had in mind President Hoo
yer. He called attention to the fact
that it was just about year ago the
Republicans were assembling in ma
tional convention in Kansas City.
THE American farmer was foremost
in our minds at that time" said Sem
ator Borah, land the convention under
took to deal with matter of farm relief
in all sincerity. Something has been said
IA PLCoo W OllC cllcCI
that the debenture plan was not
specifically mentioned during the ensu-
ing campaign. In fact, the Republican
national convention pledged the party
to solve the farmers problem. 1t said
in its platform, the party is anxious to
aid In every possible way"
Insists Pledge Was Given.
Senator Borah said he had been a
Af fIa4 Iatf fknn
which drafted the farm plank of the
platform. He insisted that the party
had pledged itself to do everything
possible that was reasonable.
THE Supporters of the debenture plan,"
continued Senator Borah, believe that
debenturee is indispensable if agricul-
ture is to be placed on an equality with
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