Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-15

1T can be soundly dealt with only by
such comprehensive agricultural policy
! as we have never had" The McNary-
Haugen bill itself he said, is of doubt
ful conStitutionality and would require
such cumbersome machinery that it
would be in constant danger of break
ing down.
That part OF the farmers difficulties
which arose from overStlmulation of
agriculture during the war largely has
been overcome, Mr. Wooden said. and
the present situation is due to funda-
mental causes which can be Soundly
dealt with only by such comprehensive
agricultural policy as we have never
had
Discusses Transportation Rates.
Transportation rates. Mr.. WOODEN
pointed out. probably have been UNI
duly favorable to the industrial centerS
as against the agricultural areas; the
farmer is paying almost twice as much
Of his total income for taxes In proper
ton to the rest of the population; the
protective tariff has Disseminated
against the tiller Of the soil in favor
of industry.
He insisted. however. that protection
Of agricultural products by increased
tariffs would be only temporarily help
full, since the increase in market prices
would be offset by SURPRISES i'll the pro-
tected products caused by diverting
land to their production. He also point
ed out serious difficulties involved in
the three price-raiSing proposals OF the
McNary- Haugen bill type
Mr. Wooden saw room for a solution
in following the Democratic policy of
lowering tariffs all around. When tariffs
first were imposed. he said. agriculture
overbalanceo industry. and protection
was intended to give the latter encour
agement Now. he insisted, the Situa-
ton has been reversed.
Dickinson Favors High Tariff.
Mr.. Dickinson insisted. however that
a CRYING need of the farmers was high
tariff on farm products. which would
give them the same protection as that
now accorded industry and labor. Other
nations such as Brazil, Australia and
Japan. he said. are reSortlng To nigh
protection OF standard crops. He claimed
that protection was originally a farm
policy resorted to not so much for the
sake of industry itself as to give agri-
culture a home market.
n IOklIN Va NpIiSblBAH AtC NNAhr
would be hindered by the necessity of
dealing with 5000. 900 individual food
producers, thus making control of the
market through controlled flow OF
products practically impossible. NeceS-
sity of some national legislation,
whether of the McNary- Haugen type or
not. 10 give the farmer equality OF bar
gaining power with industry and labor,
is absolutely necessary. Mr.. Dickinson
declared.
Sociological Aspects Cited.
Opposing views on the sociological
aspects of the farm problem were pre-
sented this morning before the Insti-
tute by DR. o c. Slime of the Bureau
Of Agricultural Economics and DR.
James A. Dickey. professor of sociology
at the University of Arkansas.
DR.. Slime insisted that the declining
status of agriculture in the United
States constituted distinct national
danger, not only because of the DOS
sible need of experienced farmers to
produce emergency food supplies in case
Of war, but because of its general effect
on the citizenry of the Nation The
rural districts. he said. produce a stable
population necessary 10 insure the Sc
curity of the Government against the
urban classes. History never
has shown that strong civilization is
possible on strictly urban basis. and
the present rate of urbanization of the
United States is leaving the farming
districts with an inferior population.
since those with the most ability and
initiative go TO the city.
Urof. Dickey insisted. however. that it
would be dangerous to interfere with
the free movement of population from
the country to the city which would
prevent people from finding their most
economic employment
Furthermore. Prof Dickey said. few
people of genius ever have achieved
distinction on the farm. although many
OF them were born on farms
Other Leading Topics.
The urbanization of the United States
Is progressing so rapidly. said Prof. John
d. Black of Harvard University, that
the country soon must face the question
OF whether or not TO take artificial
measures to strike a balance
The spread of cotton planting west
ward and northward has brought a
serious problem to the Southeast. w. j.
Stillman of the Bureau of Agricultural
Economics told the institute. because it
has left them without a substitute crop.
The cotton acreage in South Carolina.
Georgia and Florida, hard hit by the
boil weevil and the ruinous prices of
1920, has decreased almost a half.
They cannot go back to cotton. he
said. unless the price remains much
higher than Is likely in the future. In
Texas alone there are at least 10000 900
acres available for cotton which are
not vet cultivated
Three-fourts Of the waterpower re-
sources of the United States are under
the control of the Federal Government
either located in the Western noun
tains. where the land is Government
owned or in navigable rivers. where
their use can be regulated--Dr. Philip r.
Wells Of Washington told the group
studying economic and industrial de-
velopment of the South yesterday. The
problem remains. he said. of how the