We have built up a transportation system which beyond any question has placed an unfair burden on agriculture and its products. and have with Government funds constructed the Panama Canal which has resulted in a great discrimination against our agricultural sections as far as transportation matters are concerned. Our protective tariff policy. while generally fair to agriculture and the foundation of our prosperity as a Nation. has not benefited agriculture to the extent that it has other industries for the reason that under prevailing conditions a part of what the farmer produces must be sold at world prices. Our immigration policy. with which I am in hearty accord and which has no stronger supporter than the American farmer. has worked indirectly to the disadvantage of the producers ol staple crops. Restriction of immigration has raised wages which has increased the cost of everything the farmer has to buy. including labor. machinery. and transportation. At the same time the laboring man. due to higher standards of living. has decreased his consumption of staples like cotton. wheat. pork. and potatoes in favor of silk. tropical fruits. and dairy products. While it is not a matter of national policy. yet It is a wellrecognized fact that States and local taxing districts have developed systems of taxation which have worked much to the detriment of agriculture.
Keywords matched
immigration