The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1931-08-14
H FARM PROBLEM,
PLAN
Continued from page one)

would be a little more dl1lcuN Oe
initiate than the other plans, and
agriculture was not then in the
| same desperate straits as it is to.
day. In all probability Congress
and the country at large would
now be willing to try out more
deep-going and fundamental RENE
dies than at that session. Any
plan that is inherently sound and
likely to bring beneficial results
is entitled to the consideration OF
the country today.
The Allotment Plan
In order to give some respect
ability to the Allotment Plan, al
low me to say that it was brought
to the attention of the committee
by Professor John D. Black of the
department of economics of How
ard University. He did not bring
it as a plan of his own, or even
as a new plan. DR.. w. J. Spill
man of the U. S. department Of
agriculture presented his plan in
Farm, Stock and Home as far
back as 1926. and many other per-
sons both in private and public
life have given some thought and
attention to plans OF this kind. |
shall not endeavor to present it in
its original form and trace its de-
velopment, but shall set forth a
plan that appears to promise re-
suits, irrespective of what is old
and what is new. What we want
is results-relief for our strug-
Cling farm population, renewed
purchasing power, increased en-
ployment and improved business
conditions.
The Plan In Brief
The fundamental idea of the
plan is to make the tariff on
wheat. or a part of this tariff, e.
'ective on that part of the wheat
which is utilized or consumed at
nome, about three fourths of the
production. 1t does not at
to boost the price on ex-
ported wheat. The export trade
will act as a spillway for the sur
illus. The present tariff on wheat
s AZ cents per bushel; but we
,ould not make it effective up to
he full limit of AZ cents as that
would result in importation. We
probably could make it effective
o nine-tenths of the full amount
Without inviting importation. How
this be done?
1t can be done without asking
me single dollar from the Ma
ional Treasury to boost the price.
Assuming the necessary legisla-
ion, the first step would be for
apartments of the national gov
rnment, probably the department
f agriculture and the department
4 commerce, to determine how
nuch of the AZ cent tariff could
e safely and justly made effec-
i've without bringing about wheat
Importation, and without doing in
1stice to the consumer. The
uantity Of wheat produced in the
arious states is pretty well known
trough accumulated statistics;
D also the quantity of wheat util-
sed and consumed in this coun-
". Upon the basis of these facts
It the departments of the Govern
lent compute the total money al
)tment for the entire country,
nd then apportion to each one of
lie wheat producing states its ex-
ct share of the allotment. The
>tal apportionment for the United
tates as a whole would be that
art of the tariff that could be
lade effective, computed upon
re total home consumption in
our, feed and other products. Be
lg calculated in advance of cOllec-
.Ons. it would have to be con-
ervatively made. The share of
ach state should be calculated
pom the average annual produc- :
on Of that state during the last ,
We years or so. Each state would
carry this apportionment to
lie individual counties of the
and each county would car
the apportionment TO the in ,
iVidual farms. ,
Let it be understood that this
lpOrtionment should not be ,
bread over all the wheat produc- ,
g lands, but only on sufficient y,
.nds to produce the required a.
cunt of wheat for home use and i,
assumption under approved farm .
.g methods in the average crop :
This is fundamentally :
lportant. The lands best suited :
r wheat production should of .
PURSE be selected for the appor- :
onment. d
Time end Work Required .
l. is not unreasonable to as .
me that officers and employees ;
wv connected with the depart :
ent of agriculture and the de- =
lrtment of commerce could as :
rtain what portion of the tariff 9
42c could safely be made effec- =
We, calculate the entire app0r- =
for the country as a :
hole, and make this apportion-