THE PRESIDENCY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 128, 3 June 1927, Page 3

THE PRESIDENCY

COOLIDCE MAY STAND

"FARM RELIEF" POSITION

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SAN FRANCISCO, 3rd May. It is becoming generally accepted that Mr. Coolidge will again allow himself to be nominated for the Presidency in 1925. He is assured of success if he does so. Just now, tho President is strengthening his weakest spot—the farm belt, somewhat disaffected through his veto of tho M'Nary-Haugen Farm Relief Bill. He has summoned some of those responsible for the BUI and asked them to prepare a new measure which will strike some middle course between its complicated provisions and the simple instrument the Government is.prepared to sponsor. The equalisation fee, which was regarded by the President as objectionable, is being dropped from the new measure. Instead, it is proposed that there should be a grain corpora ion, backed by the Government, which will buy and sell in the market, to keep prices of farm commodities up to tho full margin permitted by the tariff— that is, the world parity price, plus the tariff. This body, it is suggested, would buy wheat, if wheat were low, until the price was up to world parity, plus the tariff. If the price went higher, the Government would sell the wheat back, and bring it down to .the tariff line again. This, it is contended, would protect the farmer, and also save tho city consumer from being the victim of high prices. The plan would cover not only tho half-dozen basic commodities of tho M'Nary-Haugen Bill, but all major farm commodities. ' PRESIDENT NOT COMMITTED. President Coolidge has not committed himself to this plan. Farm, leaders in Chicago are reviewing it, and an emissary of the President will confer with ■ them. Farm leaders still cling to the equalisation fee, and it may be difficult to persuade them to accept a more moderate plan. ! Buying and selling by the fiovern- | ment is regarded by the President as very objectionable, as is also any proposal that the Government should sponsor such action through a Government subsidised corporation, which is practically the same thing. It is believed, however, that the President may "tone down" some of his objections, to secure harmony between conflicting principles on which the farm relief legislation has split to date.