The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-08-01
BAR farmers
FROM LEGGE J
GRAIN FARLEY
Agricultural Press and
Newspaper Men Kept
Out of Meeting.
DRAWS HOT CRITICISM
University Men, County
Agents Only Persons to
Hear U. S. Official. I

Disgruntled farmers threw hot
criticism at Alexander Legge, fed
eral farm board chairman, and 9TH
er Washington officials today for
holding a conference, presumably
called to aid the farmers, behind
closed doors at the Claypool.
Grain dealers, large wheat grow
ers, merchants and many small
farm owners came here early this
morning from all parts of the state,
expecting to hearSa solution to their
agricultural problems, but were
barred from a meeting of extension
directors, university men and county
agents who gathered to hear Legge
expound his reduction of wheat
acreage plan" as the solution to
farm ills.
Newspaper men as well as repre-
sentatives of farm papers and the
Indiana farm bureau were told its
impossible to let you hear the dis
cusSion," when they applied for adj
nlittance to the meeting.
Fear of repetition of unwelcome
receptions that have met Legge in
various parts of the country, where
he and his extension directors have
held open meetings, is believed to
have led him to bar the doors in
Indiana.
Here to Get Data
C. E. Farrell, Washington, depart
ment of agriculture director in the
north central states, presided at this
mornings session. Legge, who was
to speak this afternoon, did rat
arrive until late.
Representative of agricultural
colleges in the five soft wheat states
interested in the session were sched-
uled to present attitudes of their
respective states On the question of
reduction in wheat acreage. How
ever, the federal Iarm leaders said
they did not expect to arrive at any
conclusions today; they were here to
gather data.
Farmers who had been refused
adnlittance, remained at the hotel
hoping to get entrance this after
noon.
Most of them indicated they re-
garded the wheat reduction plan as
a piece of foolishness." y I
ct will do lot of harm. There's
just as much sense in telling
farmers to quit raising wheat as to
tell a carpenter he can work but
two days & week" said John H. Nor
gan of Marco, grain dealer and
farmer.
Bar Farm Press Men
Others who remained at the key
hole included E. L. Zeis, oxford,
farmer and member of the Benton
county farm bureau; John T. Bar
nett, Hendricks county; John
Brown, farm bureau and co-opera-
tive marketing leader.
George Weymouth, editorial rep
resentative The Farmers Guide.
and John Lacey, representative Of
The Prairer Farmer we're not al
lowed at the conference although
they asked for admittance.
When the conference was con-
cluded Legge refused to give ex-
cerpts of his afternoon address.
Il don't know what they may fire
at me in questions" he retorted to
requests for copy of his address.
Asked why the sessions were closed
to wheat growers, he said: I'm in
the hands of those arranging the
meeting here"
IT leave for Chicago where I'll hold
a conference with cotton growers"
he said.
Open Minded, Says Skinner
Dean John H. Skinner, head of
the agricultural department of Pur-
due university, said following the
executive session this morning that
the price and surplus of the nations
staff of life was presented by farm
board representatives.
There was no discussion We
were merely told the facts. We've
all come here open-minded with
out being committed to an acreage
reduction plan," Dean Skinner said
in talking for his agriculture COLI
leagues.
Il can see a reason for not per-
nitting wheat growers to attend the
meeting, but I see no reason for
keeping the newspaper men out"
Dean Skinner said in commenting
on the secret session.
Farmers who attempted to talk
to Legge following the meeting were
left in the cold as the farm board
chairman was ushered to the eleva-
tor by representatives Of the board.