154* THE AGRICULTURAL BLOC 



measure which, was not a Bloc matter but sup- 

 ported by several members was the authoriza- 

 tion by resolution of the Joint Commission of 

 Agricultural Inquiry. The presence of the Bloc 

 undoubtedly speeded up the appointment of this 

 Commission, which got into action in June and 

 included in its membership several members 

 who were identified with the Agricultural Bloc. 



Among the bills which it was first proposed 

 to push was the amendment to the Farm Loan 

 Act providing for an increase of working capi- 

 tal of $25,000,000. This has been discussed for 

 some time and passed the Senate without seri- 

 ous contest in early June. A few days later 

 the other bill relating to the Farm Loan Act, 

 increasing the interest rate to 5% per cent, 

 was adopted without serious opposition, al- 

 though it was to be noted at this time that there 

 was a growing feeling in the Senate that a new 

 determination had broken out among the Sena- 

 tors from the South and West. With the com- 

 ing of summer, there were frequent suggestions 

 of adjournment. 



On June 17th, final action was taken on the 

 Packer Bill which was passed by a vote of 45 

 to 21 after it had been bitterly fought by those 

 who objected to government supervision of the 



