Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-13
FARM AID MOVE
OPENED BY BYRD
Virginia Governor Favors
Study of All Conditions by
Committees. g.

I. BY the Associated Press
>. RICHMOND, Va January l2.-Crea-
: ton of subcommittee to study and
. suggest plans for improving the eco
3 nomic conditions of farming in Virginia
is suggested by Gov. Harry F. Byrd III
= statement to the newly created State
Agricultural Commission, made public
. today.
: wise action and not more theories
= and promises" are strongly advised by
: the governor.
. subcommittee suggested by Gov.
L Byrd include:
7 A Federal relationship committee to
: cooperate with the Federal Government
:, in work toward farm relief.
= A committee to suggest plans for i'm
proving standards of living on the
farms.
A taxation committee, to consider
further tax relief for farmers.
A transportation committee. to con-
slider the transporting of farm products,
and freight rates.
A committee on marketing and bust
ness metnooS.
a committee to work out plans for
rural electriflcatiol.
A committee on regulation and IN
spection of farm products.
committee to plan further correla-
ton of agricultural agencies.
A conservation of timber committee
A committee to suggest means OF
~ -irC Virginia SPlf-cliStaininQ.
Inception of Move.
I'm recognition of the vital Importance
of agriculture in the life of Virginia the
General Assembly Of 1928 created the
commission to study the conditions of
the farmers of Virginia of which you
are members" The governor said IN
his statement: The unselfish servi, -
on committees of citizens have dom.
much in the past for Virginia's good. /
predict that your commission repre-
Senting all branches of agriculture will
make an enviable contribution for the
welfare of Virginia in the submission of
a definite program to improve the condi-
ton of agriculture; one of the most
pressing problems now confronting us.
The problems of the American farmer
is worldwide. His impoverished Situa-
ton today has been brought about
mainly by national and international
conditions: he purchases his necessities
in highly organized protected market:
he sells his products. after meeting the
hazards of the weather, in a free world
wide market. In word. the depression
today in agriculture is due to the fact
that prices paid to the farmers for their
products are very much too low and
not in proportion to his cost OF pro-
duction and a reasonable profit thereon.
He is not enjoying the same prosperity
as exists in other branches of endeavor,
and the result is in many. sections OF
Virginia abandoned farms and gradual
reduction of our farming population.
Demand for Action.
Factors exist. many of which are
beyond the power of Virginia to REM
edy, yet the difficulties presented do
not excuse Virginia from exerting her
self to the utmost to relieve the pres
ent agricultural depression, because
agriculture has been and viii continue
dustry. A farmer myself, appreciate
the need of improvement in agriculture;
as Governor of Virginia, l recognize
that our progress to be permanent must
he balanced as between agriculture ano
industry. The continuing depression OF
agriculture today presents the. only
cloud in the sky of our unified ana
Glorious advancement. Volumes have
been written to diagnose the Ills OF the
farmers. What the FARMERS now want
is wise action and mot more theories
and promises. =.
"The work of your commission is en-
tirelv non-political. 1t is for the benef1t
of all the farmers in Virginia, regard
less of their political faith. Nay hrSt
and most important suggestion Is not
tn snend YOUR time in the preparation
of A report on the theoretical causes
for our present condition and deallng
with generalities; such report Will be
read by few and little good will be ac-
compliShed. I am convinced that VIZ
ginia may do a great work in concen-
trating our thought and attention upon
the many things We ourselves can 90
to improve agricultural conditions. l
would strongly oppose back-to-tne-
land movement in Virginia, providing
for the costly reclamation OF idle or
waste land The farmers today suffer
from overproduction. believe the basis
of our efforts in Virginia should be the
promotion of a stay-on-the- Land CAM
paign-that is. the adoption of State
and local policies whereby farming may
be made more attractive SO that those
on suitable lands will remain and the
alarming farm abandonment now in
progress IN certain sections OF Virginia
may be checked. So as to simplify
your labors and organize your efforts, 1
suggest the appointment Of the sub
committees"