New Britain herald., 1929-10-31
FARMS AND LABOR HAVE OWNLOBB|ES
Have Representations of Great . Power in National Capital

Washington. Oct. 31.-The farmer and labor lobbies are two Of the most powerful groups in Washington NhGn they function. To some eXtent nS representatives of millions of citi- Icns whose voice is otherwise un- beard at the Capitol. they have tend 4 ed 10 offset the enormous influence O. the big business lobbies. On the other hand. big business has ire nuently frustrated the programs of the farmers and labor unlons.
 in recent years, as the problems Of agriculture have become more pressing and the main groups of organized labor have tended to grow more conservative. the in- 1cau Federation in Congress has { overshadowed that exerted by the American Federation of I 6 bor.
 Has Done Many Things g The Farm Bureau Federation. with a membership Of about 2.O00.- h00 farmers. has been Instrumental 34in the passage Of scores Of bills
 
 lfarm bloc in Congress which twice forced through the McNary- Haugcn \ bill, only to be defeated each time NMith a presidential veto.
 The attitude of the business and financial interests defca'ad the Me Nary-Haugen bill through Pre3i- dent Coolidge, Lut lately Chester ~;r1, { tive representative here. has joined with those interests ia working . for the Hawley-S tariff bill, The Farm Bureau supported tho flexible tariff provision and turned . down the Borah resolution confin- ing the bill to agricultural schcd- ulcs. in the face of opposition from most members of the SeHate farm bloc.
 Farm Bureau representatives arc constantly appearing before Con- crcss and the various government departments and comm iaeions. es- pccially the Department of AGricul- 'ure. This year. Of cour@c. it has i"rn working intensely for the agri- cultural rates in the tarift bill In other ycars it beaic-cs the Tariff commission for increased aGricul- tural duties IL has lobbicd for such varied legislation as farm re- lief, taxes, flood control, inland waterways. rcforestation radio. highways, postal rates. power trust investigation, barge lines. pest eradication. increased appropria- lions for agriculture, census lame ducks, Muscle Shoals, packer con- trol. immigration. grain futures. farm loans, cheaper fertilizer and federal reserve rediscounts.
 Professor edward B. Logan Of 'he University Of Pennsylvania in his study Of lobbying issued by the { American Academy of Political and Social Science, reports that the Farm Bureau wields a powerful i control over legislation. the es- Scnce of it's power lying in it's con trol over legislation, 8 control de- rived from its extensive member ! ship" The Federation does not . hesitate to organize voting strength. against it's enemies. It has most . of the farm state members of Con- . GrcSs working for it and when necessary gets its membership 10 exert pressure through the 1900 , county farm bureaus and A. state fodCrations.
 The National Grange which does not always agree with the Farm Bureau, is the secon1 most Sm- nortant farm organization func- lioninG here and claims credit for the rural free delivery and farm loan systems among other meas urcs
 The X. F. Of l., speaks for tho largest group of union workers about 3,O0O.0N0. Like the Farm Eurcau, the essence Of it's poWyn lies in it's ability 10 influence % certain number Of votes ivy dcclar ing individual congressman to b, friendly or unfricndly 10 labor. It. principal legislative agent is Ed ard F. McGrady, who IS rcSarde ---@.-.-------.--...-.-..-,.-'