Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-03
FARM RELIEF ROW
FAILS TO JAR i. S.
Out of Experiment Some e.
feCtive Remedy May Be
Evolved, Is Hope.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Although the farm relief program is
the subject of bitter controversy, the
Federal Farm Board is not out of har-
mony with the administration, but
there is and always has been definite
understanding that the board was to
needed to bring about sterilization.
Many of the comments from the
West are to the effect that the Federal
Farm Board made grave mistake In
actually entering the wheat market as
a purchaser. especially now that IL has
had no effect on market prices.
There is little disposition to argue
about this phase of the problem except
that the Farm Board is not now re-
Stunning purchases, but is urging nm
itation of planting. The board. through
its spokesman, is indicating That the
domestic surplus is likely to disappear
rather quickly as a result of the long
drought and low level of prices ana
the use of wheat as feed for cattle.
Looked on as Experiment.
Broadly speaking. the whole farm
program is looked upon by the admins
tration as an experiment in SCaDlllza-
ton. With the pressure for the Nc
Nary-Haugen bill and the export de-
benture plan. the board found itself
compelled to try out the theory that
the Government itself could stabilize
the level of prices.
While $3.50 600 900 have been used in
the lending operations practically all OF
this is secured and is expected to come
back to the United States Treasury.
The loss involved may not exceed $780,
oOO, 900 or $40, 100000 in which case the
Government will consider that the ex-
perience it has gained in trying 10 put
int hotter
condition was worth while as a piece OF
research.
The primary purpose of the farm
legislation is viewed by tsNe administra-
ton as having been a major effort 10
bring about better marketing methods
and better marketing organizations
among the farmers. 1t is the firm be-
lief of the officials here that this viii be
accomplished and that formula VIII
be developed out of the experiments
conducted by the Federal Farm Board.
Reduction Issue Active.
Plans for reduction of acreage are
etill being discussed and the latest is
that. of Senator Thomas of Oklahoma,
who thinks that an international con-
ference might be called to bring about
Worldwide cooperation in the reouc-
ton of acreage. Chairman Legge OF the
Farm Board doesn't think that the
United States is well enough organized
among its farmers to carry out any
constructive policy. Mr.. Thomas be-
lieves that crop reduction should not be
dependent upon voluntary cooperation
any more, but that the only effective
way to limit production Is to write 1t
into the law There Is doubt, OF course,
as to the constitutionality of such
provision"
Mr.. Legge has pointed out also that
II there should be an international con-
ference there would be many other sug-
eestions proposed by other countries,
principally the advocacy of plans for
the purchase by the American Govern
nent of the crops of other countries
and that the American farmer would be
led into false hopes. which would serve
to delay action on the part of the Amer
lean grower in limiting production.
Copyright. 1901