THE PROGRAM OF THE BLOC 149 



ous subjects upon wliich farmers from different 

 parts of the country do not agree, not because 

 they differ in political faith but because of 

 natural competition. Such questions were 

 omitted from the Bloc's program. One illus- 

 tration of such a case is Reclamation Measures 

 very vital to the people in certain western states 

 but opposed by farmers in the older established 

 regions who do not feel that the development 

 of new lands is wise at this time in view of the 

 fact that agriculture as a whole is not sufficient- 

 ly profitable. Many eastern farmers will agree 

 with those from the west regarding the need 

 for better rural credit, improved marketing and 

 lower freight rates, but they disagree when it 

 comes to a question of federal aid in the recla- 

 mation of new land which will bring products 

 into competition with those from older farms. 



Early in 1922 the Agricultural Bloc reviewed 

 its program, counted up its accomplishments, 

 took stock of the situation and made out a plan 

 of action for the new session of Congress to 

 begin in the spring. Senator Kenyon resigned 

 from the Senate to accept the judgeship ana 

 the writer was chosen chairman to succeed him. 



The regular practice of hearing the farmers ' 

 representatives describe the farmers' needs and 



