Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-06-16
BY r L. SEXTON
Especial to The Herald)

WE0AAA@N1 AVN VGAAC AV.-AooCAJ-
ing that the tariff bill recently
passed by the house makes no at
tempt TO bring relief to the farm
erS Of the United States, Congress-
man John N. Garner, in reviewing
the measure, pointed out that his
own district as well as in all other
sections of the country the farmers
will be seriously handicapped by
reason OF the increased protection
given industry and manufacture.
II know that the farmers Of the
lower Rio Grande Valley and those
of the rest Of South Texas whom I
represent, are entitled TO tariff re-
lief" MI. Garner said. Year after
year this relief has been denied
them, and il is again denied in this
bill. 1t Is true that the rates on
some Of their products-tomatoes
onion, green beans. potatoes, citrus
fruits. wool and mohair-have been
increased. It also is true that II
increases the rate on practically
every manufactured product that
they are forced TO buy. An analysis
of the bill indicates that for every
dollar it puts in the farmers pocket
1t will take many more dollars out.
This bill advances the rates or
cement and other building mate
rails; on clothing, on sugar, on
practically every article the farmer
is compelled to buy. A study of
tariff benefits reveals that very
rarely has any agricultural commod-
ity received the maximum benefit
OF the rate on that commodity. and
that very rarely does a manufac-
tured product fail 10 receive the
maximum benefit. AS an illustra-
ton; the placing Of cement on the
dutiable list at 8 cents per 100
pounds signifies that practically
every user Of cement in the United
States will be compelled to pay an
increased price for that commodity.
Will Affect Water Districts
In comment upon the affect Of
the cement rate, Mr.. Garner stated:
I'm n section of the 18th district
-thel over Rio Grande Valley OF
Texas-famed for its citrus fruit and
winter vegetables. various irrigation
districts have voted bonds in eggre-
gate amount exceeding $40. 00o. 900
10 place concrete Innings In their
canals or to construct concrete pipe
irrigation systems. In that section
especially in Cameron county. addi-
tional millions of dollars will be
expended in the construction OF
concrete highways over which the
growers will TRANSPORT their prod
uctS to market. This eight-cent rate
- ILL -
uDon them. and will 60 far toward
offsetting such benefits as may be
derived from increased rates on
their products"
Agriculture UnorganiZed
Agriculture is not organized and
its production is not controlled as
Is the production OF manufacture.
Experience has proved that when
there is a shortage Of a certain ag-
ricuitural commodity in one wear
there will probably be a heavy sur
plus the next year. and II IS i'm
possible for tariff to protect a sur
plus. Competition prevails in all
branches OF agriculture. and as a
result the benefits which will &C
crue from the increases granted az
riculture will be almost negligible
In comparison with the profit
which will accrue to manufacturers
who control their production and
are in position to increase domestic
prices to the full height Of the tar
IF wall.
The potato. tomato and bean
growers Of the lower Rio Grande
Valley. the onion growers of the
Laredo section. Winter Garden and
Willacy county. the sheep and goat
raisers, have each received an in
crease In the tariff rate on their
production. But to offset these in
creaseS, to which they were entitled.
and to preserve for industry and
manufacture the privilege Of further
exploiting these farmers as well as
all other American consumers, the
republican members of the WAYS and
means committee reported and pi-
loted through the house a bill ex-
tending to agriculture and industry
rates entirely out of line with those
granted agriculture.
The bill makes no ATTEMPT 10
bring relief to the farmers OF II
section Of the United States. In no
instance does it reflect an honest
effort to equalize such benefits as
may be secured through application
OF the protective policy. 1t Is. In
my judgment. the most i~ndefensible
piece OF tariff legislation ever pre-
Sented in congress- ~travestv. de-