2068

AGRICULTURAL RELIEF
modity there is provision for collecting part of it at the point of
export; and it is Just a question of getting the money, and it does
not seem to me there is any particular halo or charm about where
you get the money, just so you get it in such a way that there is not
a burden upon one group of people. ©

Mr. KiLcore. If you can understand, Mr. Jones, that I am sym-
pathetic——

Mr. Joves. I understand you are and I appreciate your position.

Mr. KiLgore. And I will not go on then, and say just what the
debenture plan is and what you do, in my mind; I am going to leave
that unsaid.

Mr. Kercaam. Doctor Kilgore, I would like to get your reaction
to this rather practical situation that we as a committee face. There
is a very substantial demand among the small groups, whatever plans
they may favor, for the earliest possible enactment of a law, if you
will agree to that. Now here is the practical situation, as I see it,
that we face in the committee: The President of the United States
will remain the President of the United States under ordinary con-
ditions through the next two crop years—1928-29. Granted that
under the most favorable considerations following March 4, 1929, a
President would be in the White House who would be in favor of
the equalization fee. Congress does not meet, unless by special call,
until the following December. Early in 1930 would be the earliest
possible date we night expect to get the equalization fee written into
the statutes. I think the proponents of it admit that there is a con-
siderable degree of question as to the constitutionality which is run-
ning through probably a good share of the next year, so, as a practical
matter, very likely the first crop year that could be affected by this
proposed plan would be that of 1931. Now, as practical men—and
I want to say I appreciate the statement you made a moment ago
with reference to your desire to have some form of farm-relief legisla-
tion—can you not see the situation that we are trying to meet,
namely, to get some sort of legislation that would be effective before
two or three crop years have gone by?

Mr. KiLcore. I will agree with you absolutely there, with the
qualification that you put in “effective.” If we can get effective
legislation before then, by some other plan that would be equally
as effective as the equilization plan, then I would be for it—but it
should be effective.

Mr. Kercuam. Then you will not object, under the discussion of
the debenture plan, to being recalled to the witness stand and then
discuss it? I think it is very proper that you should not take your
time to discuss it now. You would have no objection to that?

Mr. Kincore. No, I think I would then be in better position.

X Mr. Kercaam. And speaking for you, I should be very glad,
because of the limitations upon it, certainly those of us who believe
it to have the most of value and the least of objection. want to hear
certainly the objections.

. Mr. KiLgore. We all want the facts and we want to fit the legisla-
tion to the facts in this situation. If we do not fit the legislation to
the facts, it is not going to be effective.

Mr. AsweLL. Doctor, let me ask you one question, and I will try
aot to disturb you any more. -

Mr. KiLcore. I am always glad to talk to you.