The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-06
D { MES FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AIDS.
FARMERS ENEMIES.
Wallace Brands Statements
Made BY Cotton Association
Head As False


1928, and outline the live stock situa-
ton" The committee in question. he
added, has nothing 10 do with pre-
pairing or issuing the report on inten-
lions to plant.
Explaining that the special report
on Intentions to plant was prepared
in the same secret manner as all other
government crop reports, the Secre-
tary said that after it was made pub
lie copies We given to the special
committee on agricultural outlook
and that statements that this COM
mittee had anything whatsoever to do
with the report prior to its release or
had any part in making it, are ut
terly without foundaSion."
wnllace's Statement.
Concerning the committees special
report Mr.. Wallace said:
This report was prepared under
the same safeguards as are used in
preparing our usual crop reports. The
gentlemen who were asked TO nartici-
pate in considering and preparin &
this report are men considered to
have wide information and clear
view of both domestic and world
wide business and economic condi-
tons. which influenced the consump-
ton OF the products of American ag-
riculture. They were asked to come
which we could make available. and
then express in the form of q report
their Judgment of conditions which
the farmers ought to know about If
they are to produce intsIligently and
make their products at a fair price.
Both this department and the gem
eral farming public are under obli-
cations to these gentlemen. who
were willing to take time from their
own business and render what l con-
slider to be q. most constructive serv-
ice to American agriculture.
Not Without Authority.
You state that in making esti-
mates of farmers intentions to plant
the department has acted without
precedent and without authority of
law. 1t is true that this is the first
report of intentions to plant which
has been issued by this department,
although a similar report with regard
to the number of sows to be bred
was issued last fall.
II do not think it is true that the
department has acted without au-
thority of law. 1t is my belief that
the regular publication of such re-
ports will be exceedingly helpful 10
the farmers of the country In their
efforts to adjust production to the
probable needs of consumption and
thus secure fair price for their
products. Last year l invited a COM
mittee of eminent statisticians to
come to Washington and spend some
time here studying our statistical
methods and organization and give
me the benefit of any suggestions
which might occur to them that
would make our statistical work
more helpful. Among the recommen-
dations they made was one to the eff
feet that he should issue such re-
ports as this one on Intentions to
plant. and this recommendation has
also been made by farmers organi-
cations. the extension service. and
others who have the good of agricul-
ture at heart.
Aid to Farmers.
1T was the committees opinion,
and with this I thoroughly agree,
that SO far as possible farmers
should be appraised in advance of the
planting intentions of farmers gener-
ally. In order that they may ipdivid-
ually haye>the opportunity to make
such changes In their plans as they
might consider wise in the light of
such Information and thus be able to
avoid the disastrous effects Of over
planting or correct a tendency to-
ward underplanting. 1t is expected
that reports of this character will be
issued regularly hereafter.
as you hHOW very well, II Is tho
practice of many private concerns to
make estimates of intended paintings
OF cotton and other crops. Such re-
ports, OF rumors based upon Thorn
are constantly being circulat ed
throughout the country. You your
self, in the Cotton News of February
l gave a page to what you call an
exhaustive report on the cotton sit
uation. and in the first column of
Page 8 of this publication, the sccon 4
question asked in the QUESTIONABLE
which you issued reads: What per
centage of cotton acreage will be
planted. cultivated and harvested
compared to 1927 From which II
seems that you think 1T quite proper
for private individuals and for as
sociations to gather and make known
estimates of intentions of farmers
to plant. but. that you think 1t is
improper foe the government. an en-
tirely disinterested agency, to do the
same thing through IT'S carefully or
gained crop reporting system, and
publish the results without fear OF
favor"