The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-28
SMALL CROPS, NOT POLITICS
 BOOST PRICES
Neither Republicans Nor Democrats Deserve Any
 Credit, Wallace Says
By THOMAS L. STOKES.

NA6ASGU NAEb SO AMC fAAO-AACA AAN~
 WASHINGTON, July 2I.-The farm situation in the middle and northwest, now symptomized by soaring prices for grain and hogs, has become the chief center of politieal interest, and, iffci- dentally, of political interpretation and prophecy.
 Republican campaign managers, on the one hand, are pointing to 1t as the opening of an agricultural boom, which they say. will be wholly favorable to them in November. Democrats and in- dependents on the other hand. are dis posed to play it down, claiming that the recent sudden rise will not mean much. Reports upholding both con tentions are being broadcast, and there is q general desire to know just what the real situation is, and what its ef- feet will be for the farmers.
 A Mixed Situation.
 From present indications. as shown by reports to the department of agri- culture, and by the opinion of Secre tary Wallace. himself. neither interpre- tation is right, and neither wholly wrong. It is a mixed situation, with large benefits for some, and no mate rial gain for others. Some farmers will be put on the high road to luxury for the first time in several years, while the condition of others will not change materially.
 Both corn and wheat crops are short this year. The corn crop is the largest in several years, and its condition on July 1 forecast a yield 50O,080. GOO bushels less than last year. Therefore, prices are high and those who have corn. consequently. will benefit, and benefit largely. Those whose crops failed will be about where they were. The same is true of wheat, and of hogs. The prices are sailing upward, and the farmer who has them is getting good prices. The situation then, called down to the old Biblical expression: ITO them that hath shall be given"
 It is yet too carry to tell just how much prosperity will come from the present situation. Many things can happen, and may happen. There may be sudden break in the market later. But it is certainly true that those who have the goods now, and are sell ing them, will reap plenty of profit. Secretary of Agriculture Wallace re- gards the outlook as promising, and believes that conditions generally will be much better. He pointed to Kansas, where a bumper wheat crop is now being marketed by the farmers at splen- did prices.
 Farmers who have corn can sell it and get good prices he said. 'The same is true of wheat Many farmers put their corn to hogs, and they are now profiting by the recent advances in prices of hogs"
 Not Due To Speculation.
 The recent sharp advances in the prices of wheat and corn are not due to speculation, he said, as has been claimed by some. ''The rise in price Is due largely to the unfavorable con dition of the crOps,' he explained. there is a small corn crop, and the wheat crop this year will be less than last year. Naturally, prices are high CT. and those who have good crops will make good profits.
 Other factors, including general busi- ness conditions. will have much to do with what final benefit the, farmer gets 1 out of the present situation, Wallace said, as they react on the farmer, de. termining the strentgh of his market | Wallace declined to make any predic. tion as to the final outcome, but he regards it as generally favorable, from conditions at the present.