Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-20

The difficulty of finding a solution
OF the problem of a surplus in cotton
production is pointed out in discussion
Of the Department of Agriculture adj
vice on the subject. 1t is recognized
thai reduced acreage ought to result
IN better conditions, and that DIVERSE
hcatlon ought to help, but the debate
concerning the means of achieving
these ends continues.
Experts IN the Department of Agri-
culture" according to the Baltimore
Evening Sun, ARE urging farmers to
cut down on their acreage as the only
satisfactory solution of the problem OF
overproduction. The logic of these agri-
cultural experts Is faultless, provided
one grants their premise that the
farmers are worried about overproduc-
ton. But why should the farmers
worry? Let the bottom drop out Of
grain and cotton exports; let there be
surplus OF supply over demand-the
farmers have no reason to worry. John
Smith, taxpayer, has already parted
with $150.000,000 for their relief, and
he is prepared to increase this sum to
half a billion. Farmers can face the
prospect OF overproduction with a
SMILE"
THE necessity of cotton acreage re-
duction," says the New Orleans Times
Picayune, lis affirmed by the Federal
board, by the Southern farm experts
and by the farm cooperative leaders.
But whether the reduction so unani-
mously urged will be actually accom-
pliShed depends on the individual
planters, who in past years have ignored
or defied such counsels. Previous acre
age reduction campaigns have resulted
in larger paintings. The fact that cot
fNVa IN -
demand forces down the price is too
well established for dispute, but that
fact in its turn has been widely disre-
garded by the planters. Now we are to
see whether the farmers in the cotton
growing States are at last ready and
willing to profit by expert advice and
the hard lessons Of their own expert
ence. We do not venture a prediction
regarding the outcome, but we do find
ground for encouragement in the steady
and intelligent movements for crop di-
versification under way in nearly every
Southern State"
The New Orleans paper concludes
that "the growing Southern interest in
dairying and live stock is one of the
encouraging signs of Southern progress
toward a balanced agriculture that,
once achieved, should end the annual
threat of excessive cotton acreage and
overproduction. with its resultant de-
preston of prices below the levels of
growing cost and fair return"
Southern cotton planters" AYERS the
Charlotte News, have for years been
hearing the advice reverberating about
them to reduce their cotton acreage in
order that they might work out their
own salvation, and Just as long have
they steadfastly refused to show much
concern about this sort of counsel.
They have continued to plant as much
cotton as they thought they could work,
independent OF outside suggestions
emanating from their own leadership,
and independent, too, of what should
have been their better Judgment If they
kept themselves well informed of mar
ket conditions. Now, however, they are
hearing a new voice, calling them into
this way out of their present wilder
ness. The Federal Farm Board is say
ing some rather plain things to them
in this regard. The board believes that
last years acreage was too large. 1t
was the largest planted acreage Of any
year In history except 1925 and 1926.
Nothing but crop failure in Texas in
1929 prevented a total yield of To-
600, 900 bales in the belt. That is more
American cotton than the world will
take at fair price, the board believes"
It is recalled by the Birmingham
News that, at conference two years
ago, the governors of Texas, Alabama
and Mississippi were among the partici-
pants, and the News says as to the re-
suits: Scientists and chemists from
the Rio Grande to the Potomac were
there to offer their joint opinion that
reduction of cotton acreage was essen
tial to save the South from bankruptcy
Since that distinguished conference
was held, things have gone from bad to
worse. Now 1t is hoped that the power
Of the American Cooperative AsSocia-
ton will draw to its folds a majority of
Southern planters ready to pledge
themselves-and to keep the pledge they
rnake-for drastic reduction in acreage
this Spring. Only thereby may one