The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-05-05

into the tariff bill in the hope Of s~tultifyng the president
in his previous opposition to the idea. and the action
rings like one that will stick in the conference see
saving on the tariff measure. The situation was such
that, in view Of the prior Hoover declaration Of positive
and unalterable opposition to the debenture, there was
nothing left for the chief executive. in the event had the
house yielded to the senate, except to veto the whole
rider-burdened measure. The house, however, stood as
stoutly to its previous attitude as the president and re-
jected the senate attempt to bully it and Mr.. Hoover.
AS the grain exporting situation develops, 1t grows
more and more apparent that the debenture would be
even less a help than was regarded as possible hereto
fore in solving the problem Of the farmer who raises
wheat. Europe grows increasingly less inclined to buy
American grain and imposes tariffs In the hope OF de-
veloping its own supply, If not in entirety, then IN IN
creasing ratio to its needs.
In the not distant future Russia very likely will de-
velop a production Of wheat so cheap that 1t can con-
troll the market abroad, thus still further complicating
the American farm problem and calling on this country
to exercise even more strenuously its wits to find ways
for marketing its surplus of grain. At least, 1t would
seem that this prospect is ahead as Russia proceeds to
develop its ~vast-scale farming policy.
AS to any artificial economic assistance in unloading
the American wheat surplus on Europe. there already has
arisen a hostility which Lloyd George has expressed IN
terms Of meriting not merely hampering and restricting
tariff duties but an actual embargo. The debenture provi-
SlOQ SdQQlcU OH VIC GhIuA U1lS DO IL DCC "SSO0"J
on the farm relief bill, is one of thoss steps which Lloyd
George had In mind when he ~inveighed against all forms
Of subsidized marketing from this side Of the Atlantic.
Farm relief will be worked out by experience. That
implies mistakes as we'll as successes. There Is a ten
dency to overcritcize the operations of the system en-
acted in the form Of the Farm board. That body is
feeling its way in the dark. There is no sense In loading
on 1t such cross-purpose legislation as proposed In the
debenture provision, for that merely tends to increase
the obstacles with which the board has to contend and
it divides the opinions Of the nation as to the wisdom
and workability of the machinery already set up. This
should have at least a year to test ways and means for
readjusting agriculture with a view to solving its dis
tress. So far one Of the essentials to even a working
basis has been sadly kept at odds, and that Is full and
perfect cooperation. Without that, farm relief cannot
succeed. Those who multiply agencies in a selfish desire
to dominate relief in their own way, denying faith and
credit to other machinery and confusing the grain and
cotton growers, are not giving loyal or intelligent support
and service In the cause Of relief.
The country generally probably will conclude that
President Hoover has achieved another victory over such
an element in the vote Of the house to reject the deben-
ture monkey wrench tossed into the cogs of the tariff bill
and the farm relief law both by lawmakers either unwise
or dsloyal to the interests Of the nations great basic in
dustry.