AGRICULTURAL RELIEF

307

It would endeavor to secure such acreage adjustments through unpaid Siate,
county, and township committees. The chief functions of the local committee
would be, first, to make clear to local farmers the splendid results in the way
of higher prices for their crops and increased fertility that would come about
from the carrying out of such a policy; and second, as the lical draft boards
did during the war, to grant immunity in cases where owing to unusual
conditions undue hardship would result from a rigid enforcement of the plan
upon all alike.

Something of the spirit of the Liberty loan drives could be injected into
‘he movement, so as to arouse lceal sentiment against would-be slackers. The
official backing of the American Bankers Association, the United States Chamber
of Commerce, and the various farm organiz:ticns. local banks, merchants, ele-
rator managers, and farim-organization officials could be relied upon to exert
influence in favor of compliance with directions of the Federal board. The
various steps outlined here make a well-rounded program. Credit for orderly
marketing, storage fucilities for temporary surpluses, stimulation of foreign
markets, export debentures to raise crop prices to the “American level,” and an
acreage-control plan as a brake on undue expinsion of production.

I submit that the plan here presented is one on which farmers of all sections
"an unite, one to which President Coolidge could and should give his approval.

Fortunately, however, if the farmers and their natural allies and friends
should unite on such a bill, no presidential veto could prevent its being enacted
nto law.
The Cmarrman. The Chair also has a statement by Mr. A. P.
Sprauge, of York, Nebr., on the subject of the cooperative wheat
marketing associations of var.ous mid-western States, and unless
there is objection that statement will be inserted. [After a pause.]
Without objection, it is so ordered.

(The statement of Mr. A. P. Sprague referred to is as follows :)
This statement is made by A. P. Sprague, of York, Nebr., who bears separate
written credentials from each of the cooperative wheat marketing associations
of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minne-
sota, all filed with the House Committee on Agriculture, asking for appropria-
tions for loans for the extension of membership and for the purchase of grain-
handling facilities, and signed under corporate seal by the president and
secretary of the respective associations.

Upon reaching Washington we learned that a great many other cooperatives
were interested in the same matter. Accordingly a conference was called of
representatives of the various farm grouns and they unanimously indorsed these
features,

In addition we have received letters and resolutions of indorsement from
axtensive growers, local farmers’ union groups, ete.

Mr. Mayer, of Devils Lake, S. Dak., and Mr. Mat Grennan, of Illinois, have
appeared before the House committee on the same subject.

Provisicn for loans for the purchase of facilities was in the original bill,
Loans for * federating, consolidating, merging, and extending the membership
of ” going concerns with security to back such loans is discussed herewith.

Senator McNary wired the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association in response
to a request for his support of this amendment: “I can see no objection to
your suggestion proposing an amendment to Mc¢Nary-Haugen bill and will eall
the matter to the attention of the committee when it comes up for consideration,
Charles L. McNary. U. S. 8S.”

While this amendment has not been presented to Seeretary of Agriculture
Jardine and hence he has expressed no opinion on it, he has said in public
atterances that it is not only desirable but consistent with our governmental
policy to give proper aid for the encouragement of cooperatives. In an article
n the Oklahoma Farmer and Steckman of November 1. 1927, he said:

It is altogether consistent with our economic policy that the development of
‘hese desirable organizations should receive public encouragement.”

Again he said, in the same article:

“The activities of this board, in addition to enhancing the growth of sound
ganization in every practical way, would be,” ete.

And in the Report of the Secretary of Agriculture, 1927, addressed to the
President November 8, pages 18 and 19. we find -