Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12

The economic emancipation Of the
Southern Negro farmer may be one of
the accomplishments Of the Federal
Farm Board as an incident to its pro-
gram Of general farm relief. The board
has had occasion to look into the sit
uation of these Negroes and has indi-
Gated that, II they take the advice
given, it may be able to do much to
ameliorate their condition, by the
granting of substantial loans.
It appears that the Southern Negro
never has been able to obtain any sort
Of aid which has been available for
white farmers because of the segrega-
ton policy of the South. He has not
been able to benefit from the various
channels Of financial assistance because
of his position apart. He is not easily
admitted to such bodies as the national
farm loan associations which were set
up under the Federal farm loan system
more than Is years ago. These bodies
were organized by white men and. while
by legal process a Negro might force
his admission, still his applications for
loans would be greatly prejudiced.
White appraisers would value his prop
erty and white officials administer his
applications.
Yet Negroes are responsible for 40 per
cent Of the South's agricultural produc-
ton. They are predominatingly farmers,
10 per cent of the members Of the race
being found on the land. Some Of them
are tenant farmers. working small
acreages on shares. However. there are
large numbers who own their own
farms. Only in rare cases are the farms
large as compared to the plantations of
the white man. The Southern Negro
usually operates what is called q one
mule farm. He may raise but single
bale Of cotton in q season. But he Is
strongly attached to the land and year
in and year out tolls away. There are
so many of these that they are able to
produce 40 per cent Of the South's agri-
cultural out-turn in competition with
the thousand-acre plantations Of the
whites. In some counties the proper
ton of Negro to white population runs
as high as 80 to /.
Should Form Co-operatives.
Obviously farming on SO small scale
for each individual brings them little
wealth. Profits can scarcely be counted
in money. Bare livelihood is about all
that is vouchsafed most of them. This
means that there Is no surplus capital
at their command to enable them to
bank usually Is the country store, where
they borrow not money, but supplies
advanced against their growing crops
Under the agricultural marketing act,
which the Federal Farm Board admin
listers. relief, too, is extended through
local unit organizations, which take the
form of co-operatives. This is some
what different matter from q national
farm loan association.
The Federal farm loan system Is one
which advances money on the security
of land or other tangible assets. A man
must have valuable property before any
benefits may accrue to him. The CO.
operatives organized under the argricul-
tural marketing act are chiefly mediums
whereby crops may be marketed to the
best advantage of the growers. The
man farming on shares or on q rent
paid farm, as well as the little fellow
who scarcely owns enough to warrant
a loan, may receive the advantages
without the necessity Of having large
initial security.