658

AGRICULTURAL RELIEF
economic proposition, what is the difference in taking the money of
the taxpayer out of the Treasury after he has already paid it in,
and taking it out of his pocket in the way of increased price for
the purchase of things that he has to have by reason of discriminatory
law in favor of a business?

Mr. SExXAUER. Are you referring to the tarifl?

Mr. KiNcHELOE. I am, absolutely. I just wanted to get your
idea about it.

Mr. SexaugeR. That is a matter of public policy to-day, upon
which at the present time I do not believe that there is a question—
I mean that the question is not raised in relation to this bill; and
that being the case our association has taken no stand in the matter,
and I am not at liberty to state for the association.

Mr. KincHELOE. What do you mean by ‘public policy ”’?

Mr. SExAuer. We have a tariff.

Mr. KincHELOE. Why, yes; because you have an administration
to put it on. Understand, I am not a free trader; the Democratic
Party never was for free trade. But you have indicated that you
are diametrically opposed and your association is very much opposed
to taking any money out of the Treasury for the purpose of conduct-
ing the farmers’ business.

Mr. SExAUER. 1 did not say that.

Mr. KincHELOE. You said that awhile ago?

Mr. SexavEer. All right; let it go at that.

Mr. KincHELOE. If you did not say that, what did you say?

Mr. SExXAUER. My recollection is that I stated the association was
opposed to a subsidy.

Mr. KincHELOE. Or any legislation that would take money out
of the Treasury for the benefit of some business?

Mr. SExavuER. No; this business, for the fear it would be used for
other purposes.

Mr. KincaeELOE. What business?

Mr. SExavugRr. Thid business.

Mr. KINCHELOE:'You mean to help the farmer, agricultural
purposes? iJ

Mr. SExXAUER. :Exactly.

Mr. Kincaerog:! That is what I am talking about, and you are
opposed to any legislation that will take any money out of the Treas-
ury as a subsidy to assist any branch of agriculture; is that right?

Mr. SEXAUER.:Y es.

Mr. KincueromtAnd then I asked you what is the economic
difference, if any(iin:taking money out of the Treasury which is the
taxpayer’s money“after he has paid it in there, for the benefit of
some business, or taking the money out of the taxpayer’s pocket in
the way of the increased price for a product he has to have by reason
of some discriminatory law in favor that institution that makes that
product?

Mr. SExAUER. There may be and may not be any difference.
Our association, however, has not gone on record as either favoring
or opposing that particular method.

Mr. KincHELOE. Has your association gone on record as being
in favor of any one of these bills here? oo

Mr. SexavuEr. They have gone on record as being in favor of tle
principles in this bill.