Evening star., 1931-06-21

stored 1t away. consequently, We
spread the information as rapidly as
possible to any one who can use u. we
use every modern meanS-radio. the
press, bulletins, exhibits and motion
pictures. We carry useful and practical
information directly through county
agents to the farmers In order that
the information may be promptly
applied.
Recently we have been engaged in two
large emergency operations, made neces-
Sary by the twin calamitieS, drought
and unemployment. It was not an ac-
cident that this department was selected
to carry these responsibilities; In our
Bureau of Roads, the machinery al
ready existed, and to large extent the
plans were already approved, quickly
and efficiently to expand rad construc-
ton and provide jobs. In the extension
service, with its force of more than
5000 county agents and other en-
ployeeS, its intimate contacts with State
agricultural colleges and other State
forces, the machinery was at hand to
put drought reliUf funds at work where
they would do the most good.
Prior to 1929, our normal Federal sid
roads funds had been SIS 5000 600. An
other $50,000,000 was added for the
year 1881. To speed up employment,
the President directed that the whole
fund be Immediately allotted to the
States for road construction. President
Hoover gave the program another boost
by recommending q further emergency
appropriation of 10000 ,00C to be loaned
to the States so that they could match
Federal funds already availale. Another
$9, 100000 was added for forest roads
and trails, and for roads across public
lands.
$2ss, 100000 for Roads.
The last two appropriations became
available about six months ago. Today
the volume of unfinished road work
now gonig forward Is $269, 900.
More than one hundred thousand men
have been given work directly on Fed
eral-aid projects; 100000 more have
been employed on State work which
this expanded program has largely made
possible. Probably 100000 r'ore men
have had part-time employment IN fur
are necessary. We estimate that, n all,
500, 900 men have been given employ
ment, wholly or partially in conse-
quence Of these emergency funds. The
forest service with its funds has given
preference to mel with families and
has given part-time employment to
about 10000 men. The Biological Sur
vey and the Bureau Of Plant Industry
have given work to 1900 more.
A year ago we were facing the worst
drought disaster in the history of the
country. July, August and September
OF 1880, saw 81 States gripped in a
drought which in severity, duration Gnd
area covered, was the worst of which
we have any record. The fields were
blistering in the relentless heat, vege-
tation burned up, water had to be
hauled to both men and animals. The
drought cost the farmers 100000, 900
bushels of corn, all Of their pasture,
much of their hay crop, and large
losses In many other directions. Dis
tress became general and in the Winter
the Red Cross extended its aid.
Congress appropriated $65, ,0o0,000 for
loans for croop purposes to farmers in
the dought-stricken areas.
The department promptly expanded
its forces. Voluntary committees of
citizens in each of the stricken coun-
ties were appointed and set to work to
receive and pass upon applications for
loans. Emergency Offices were set up
IN i've cities The services of over 5000
voluntary workers In the counties and
a temporary clerical force of about 800
people were required. Some idea of the
size OF the job can be gained from the
fact that loans were made to 385, 900
people. The total amount was SAT-
,00o-about $3.50 each.
Aims Accomplished.
It was the desire Of President Hoover
that these loans be made speedily and
sympathetically with a view to relieving
distress and to re-establishing the
drought sufferers in their business.
This has been done. If you could have
seen the drought-Stricken area at its
worst and then have seen 1t again when
through the soil, when newly riven
paling fences surrounded gardens filled
with promise for the family table, when
the phoenix Of hope had risen from
the ashes OF hopeleSSnesS, you would
know that those loans reached the SPOT.
Thus in these two emergency opera
tionS we have been instrumental in af-
fording work for something over 10000
men and we have been able through
loans to help 385 900 farm families put
In their crops, plant a garden and get
started again
Although the Federal Farm Board
is an independent body, the close CO.
operation with the Department of Agri-
culture makes some reference to it
necessary.
If you have been judging the activi-
ties Of the Farm Board by what you
read In, the daily press, you doubtless
have The impression that 1t is engaged
In price a1xing. You read mostly about
the wheat and cotton sterilization ac-
tivities Of the board. Those activities
are dramatic. They have involved large
sums OF money and large stocks Of the
commodities. They have aroused the
wrath Of the professional traders. They
are news" They have caught the pub
lie attention.
And yet these activities are only a
small part Of the Farm Board pro-
gram. They are emergency operations
only. The major objective Of the board
is to help farmers to organize their own
institutions, just as the steel and the
oil industry has done. The board was
given $500 100000 to loan to coop
erative farm organizations. The
loaning Of that half billion dollars is
not the objective Of the law, Helping
to organize agriculture and helping
agricultural organizations over the hill,
getting them soundly set up and going
that is the objective of the law.
Loans and stabilization operations are
merely incidental.
Not in Business.
We hear the cry Government in
business" The Farm Board is not In
business. It is not going In business.
Its business Is to put the farmer in
busineSs-in the business of planning
the volume Of his crop, in the business
of following his crop, through organiza-
ton. into the markets Of the world; in
the business OF having a sales depart
ment for his production, just as any
other factory has. Why not? It is his
crop. He produced it. Nobody is
clothed with divine right, or vested
with authority to sell 1t for him. If
there is anything new or revolutionary
about this, the novelty is due solely to
the fact that it is farmers who are
organizing. Business, finance, labor