Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-02-05
LECCE TALKS
OF PRODUCTION
Declaration Of Policy Has
Overproduction as
Main Point
By HARRY L. SEXTON


WASHINGTON. Feb. s. The
problem Of overproduct!on Is one
with which every branch Of agri-
culture must deal, and the solution
of the problem depends TO a great
extent upon organization, was the
opinion voiced by Alexander Legge.
chairman OF the Federal Farm
In q statement issued last
week Mr.. Legge said:
In the declaration Of policy OF
m agricultural marketing act.
which seeks to place agriculture on
an economic equality with other
industries, one OF the definite in
Structions given to the Federal Farm
Board by Congress is to deal with
the problem OF overproduct!on.
Congress directed the Board In
subparagraph Cd OF paragraph (a),
section ], to aid in preventing and
controlling SURPRISES in any agri-
cultural commodity, through order
ly production and distribution. SO
as TO maintain advantageous do
mestic markets and prevent such
SURPRISES from causing undue and
excessive fluctuations or tlepressions
IN prices Tor the commodity.
Better Markets
Naturally the first thought IN
approaching this subject Is the de-
velopment and broadening OF mar
kets in every way possible. both at
home and abroad, to provide on
outlet TO the maximum extent for
porducts OF the American farm. We
must recognize, however, that after
all there is a limit TO the quantity
Of any commodity beyond which II
will be impossible to find a profit
able outlet and 1t seems clear in
the case OF some OF our commodi-
ties that production now Is in eX-
cess OF quantities than can be dis
posed OF at prices that will afford
a reasonable return 10 the produc-
ers.
The Board Is trying 20 obtain the
best possible information on each
and every commodity II which the
American producer IS interested and
will from time 70 time furnish 70
farmers OF the country its best
estimate as to what future action
by them seems advisable with re-
ference to each commodity.
II should require no great amount
OF argument 10 convince the grow
ers that II a somewhat reduced
production would result In bring
ing him more money than he now
Is getting with a larger production,
1t would be foolish for him to ex-
pend the time and labor an to ex-
haust the fertility Of his soil in
producing that excess when the
result Of such KEGS production
would be only to bring him a lower
financial return that he might have
had by adjusting his production
downward TO a point where the con-
Suming demand would absorb what
he grows at a reasonable price.
The percentage Of decrease IN
production of most commodities, II
properly distributed-that is, IL the
reduction were made by all pro-
ducerS-would not be sufficiently
large TO seriously change the farm
er's present operations. Further
more. in cases where. by the de-
vclopment Of new foreign markets
or expansion of existing markets
abroad as a result OF an increase
IN the purchasing power OF con-
surnlng countries. the Board hopes
10 give the farmers this informa-
ton early enough for them to take
advantage OF the changing condi-
tions in the planting OF their crops.
Good Suggestions
Meanwhile. We arc Immediately
confronted with what use to make
OF the present cultivated acreage
that would net be required III such
a modified program. Many good
suggestions have come TO the Board
on this subject. Time will not per-
NIT discussion OF all OF them here.
but I wish TO offer one that seems
10 meet with very general approval.
namely. refore5tation.
Mes. people think OF a reforest-
aticn program along the lines of
large areas. commonly accepted in
terms of the future timber supply
bit there is another kind of re-
foreStation that Is equally import
amin fact. more important to
agriculture-and that is the refor-
estation Of the So-called wood lot"
II the past the wood lot has play
cd an important part IL the pros
rer.ty % a large percentage OF our
farmers. II has furnished shade for
livestock in Summer and shelter in
Winter. Pests for fen s. iirewood
for the house and IN other WAYS
been useful TO the farmer.
Follow Other Nations
In many areas this woodlot Is
disappearing. Why not restore II?
In doing so VIC would only be fol-
lowing the example Of many of the
older nations that IN the past have
had to meet a similar situation as
that now confronting US. II every
American farmer were TO devote
) per cent Of his present acreage TO
this form of refo-estation he would
have gone q long way toward meet
ing the problem Of excess produc-
ton and az the same time have
added materially 10 The future value
Of his farm.
The different States have a very
important part 10 play II any cam
psign 10 restore the woodlot to the
American farm Is TO be successful.
That is In the matter OF taxation.
Some states have already passed
legislation ~Ienpting from taxation
land that is planted for the purpose
Of reforcstation. Other States should
co so. being specific to make such
exemption apply to the woodlot as
we'll as land planted to timber on
a strictly commercial basis.
RcforeStation and moro and bet
ter pastures offer a sound. long
time program for getting Il poorer