The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1929-12-20
SEN. NYE EXPOSES.
BIG BUSINESS WAR
ON WHEAT GROWER

Observation-Disclosures the
Federal Farm Board interviewed TO
stop the big commercial gram
buyers drive which seemed likely
to depress the price of wheat to
20 or even 60 cents a bushel, Pres
ident Hoover is the centre of q
battle between his close friend,
Julius Barnes, chairman of his new
business government" and Chair
man Legge of the Farm Board, re-
cent president Of the international
Harvester Co. Sen. Nye N a
speech In the Senate, Dec. 9, dis
closed the grain spectators have
issued confidential circulars thru
out the northwest, rallying their
forces to fight the Farm Board and
the farmers.
According to Nye, a conference
was held IN Washington during the
Hoover big business parleys on boil
stering up prosperity, attended by
Barnes and other master minds in
the grain trade. They failed TO
stop the Farm Board from lending
more funds 70 the grain growers
eOOperativeS TO maintain the mar
ket for the farmers. Then came to
light a letter from one of the Min
neapoliS grain firms, H. l. Han
6nson & Co., giving the alarm TO
all foes Of the Farm Boards plans.
Looks Like Fight
1t begins TO look as If the fight
is on" began this letter. "Mr. Leg
ge, chairman OF the Federal Fam,
Board, said in a recent statement
that when his various subsidiary
agencies began to function there
would be little room, If any, for
privately owned commission CON-
panieS. -. Everyone who has
studied the proposed plan feels
that there is a very serious situa-
ton confronting us = Many ele-
vator companies would have 70
change their organization so as "a
meet the Farm Boards require
ments IN order TO receive govern
ment loans. -. The local elevator
company would lose all independ.
ence Of action and there would be
much more strict government con
( troll than ever existed under the
Food Administration, and the pres
ent service rendered by the com
mission companies OF checking
E grades, calling reinspectiOn, send
ing out market information, audit
ing books, and placing and help
{ ing managers could never be ex.
Z pected TO be duplicated under gov
eminent control, and with no com
/ petition IN the business.
In 2 postscript, this mouthpiecs
OF the Barnes opposition % feder-
al loans 70 grain farmers said I'VE
want 10 remind you that Mr.. Legg'
was formerly president Of the In
tenatiOnal Harvester Co. Have
you ever stopped to think what the
! effect OF the Farm Boards plaI
should have on that company
Think It over"
BOrah Is HamStrung
Nye remarked that the grair
trade had its back to the wall and
was fighting, scratching and
throwing out seares, 10 stop II,
constructive work done BY Legg;
and the rest Of the Farm Board
He asked the Senate and House L
join IN q demonstration OF approx
al Of the Boards work, in afford
ing sufficient credit to the farm
ers cooperative grain-marketins
agencies as VIII maintain a fail
price for their 1929 crop.
Wheeler of Montana pointed or
, that the Farm Board is still with
out legal power to name the man
ager OF the National Farmer,
, Grain Corporation, through whicl
these loans are being made. ant
that the Board has really no lega
control over the corporation. Nor
beck OF South Dakota agreed witt
Wheeler that the Board. Iackins
control Of exports, Is unable to ge
for the American grain grower Al
American price for his crop.