Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-30
Secretary's Vigorous Defense
CIin1axes Series of Attacks
on U. S. Policies.
LEGGE CHALLENGES
MEMBERS OF GROUP
Calls on Them to Join Him in Set.
ting Up Private Agency
to Provide Relief.

A wholly unexpected and vigorous de-
Tense of the Federal Farm Board and
the agricultural marketing act by Sec
rotary of Agriculture Hyde climaxed a
series of attacks on governmental poll
cies in dealing with the farm situation
today before the third general session of
the United States Chamber of Com
merce.
Referring to what he termed vol
ume Of misapprehension displayed by
Daniel Z. Millett, Denver banker, and
other speakers, who accused the Gov
eminent Of destroying private enter
prise through competition in farm prod
ucts, the administration spokesman in
dignantly disclaimed that the Farm
Board policy involved any price fixing.
Some people must move over and let
others sit down." Secretary Hyde warned
in declaring that the farm owners have
the same right to control their affairs
as the steel industry, the oil industry
or the banking industry.
Fails to Halt Attacks.
Secretary Hyde's determined defense
Of the Farm Loan Board, however, failed
to stop the attacks launched upon It by
business leaders who urged the Cham
Der of Commerce to declare itself in
opposition to the unfair methods of
competition" in which they charge the
Government is engaging.
Only one other voice besides Secre-
tary Hyde's. that of Alexander Legge,
chairman Of the board, was raised in its
defense.
Mr.. Hyde, who was not listed as a
speaker, arose after attacks upon the
board.
He said much Of the opposition to
the boards activities in behalf of the
farmer was due to "covetousness" and
"the fat-headed self-satisfied desire to
be content with things as they are"
The Secretary's speech was directly
opposed to previous discussions by
members of the chamber, but was ap-
plauded.
Hyde said the marketing act had
been misinterpreted before the chamber.
Does Not Intend to Peg Prices.
He asserted the Farm Board does
not expect to peg prices"
THE board has made no attempt to
peg prices" he said, land price fixing
is no part Of its program. It does pro-
pose. however, to try and influence
Hyde praised President Hoover's
activities in behalf Of the farmer, as
serving chief who sees through mis-
takes to the welfare of 27,50o,oo0
Americans"
1.-THE Farm Board in making loans
on wheat" he said, made the same
mistake banker makes when he loans
too much. Everybody believed last Fall
that wheat would be selling from $1.40
to $1.50 this Spring. The Farm Board
certainly believed 1t because it bought
two-thirds of the crop at a figure APP
preaching that price"
Hyde said the Farm Board believed
the farmer had no part in the "Missis-
Sippi bubble" as he characterized the
stock market crash of last Fall, and
offered to make loans to farmers in
spite Of the falling wheat market. The
Agriculture Secretary said that the
board DID not expect to extend any
continuing paternalism"
Chairman Legge said the chamber
had failed Ito take any constructive
action to improve the farm situation"
In reply, Mr.. Millett contended both
the Farm Board and the agricultural
marketing act which created it were
part of "a fantastic dream of stabiliza-
tton." He urged that the act be re-
pealed.
Fort Replies to Attacks.
Representative Fort, Republican. of
New Jersey, a member of the House
agriculture committee, which framed
the marketing act, answered the criti-
cismS Of the board and its policies with
the declaration that his committee and
Congress would stand by what we did"
IF the Chamber Of Commerce wants
the law repealed or amended" he said,
the proper action of the organization
Is to suggest an alternative that will
improve upon the work of our hands"
Fort said the act was not adopted
out of sympathy, but because Congress
had ito protect both agriculture and
industry against the dismissal of a
million and a half men from agricul-
ture."
You cannot throw this number of
men and 100000 dependents on the
lap of the Nation without disorganiz-
ing the economic structure" he as
serted
The attack and counter-attack threw
nto controversy the previously serene
Meeting. Middle Western grain dealers,
opposing the board, and others had pre-
'iously announced intention of speaking
rom the floor on board policies after
Iegge and Millett had concluded.
AT one point Legge departed from
lis prepared address to suggest that
members Of the chamber join with him
n setting up a private organization to
10 work that the Farm Board Is now
loing. When there was no reply, he
!dded that he would be glad to confer
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