Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-08-06
ACTION IS NEEDED

ACTION IS NEEDED
The year book of the United States
Department of Agriculture for 1928
is authority for the statement that
from 1922 to 1928 inclusive people
left the farms and moved to the ur-
ban centers to the extent of 100000
each year. We talk of agriculture as
being the mainstay of the country and
that is true. But what is the result
of all this moving to the cities, and
later some of them moving back
again? When they come back they
will not be farm owners but renters.
Tenant farming is not like farm own
ing. The American farm home should
be maintained, it is a good place to
bring up family under proper condi-
tiOns, it is good place for clear
thinking and the developing of lead
erS.
But the way the farmer is being
lasooed now with low prices and too
high taxes in proportion to his income
is no encouragement. There is real
need for national leadership in this
hour to alleviate the suffering that
will ensue not only to the farmers but
ness men if something constructive
is not done. Actions to overcome the
depression for a time will not be
lasting but in the meantime a long
time program should be worked out
that will be of benefit to all. And
this long time program is not going
to come from a few leaders but must
be planned and worked for by the
masses in democracy like this where
all have a voice. The ballot is an in
strument for good when properly used.
The president has it within his
power to call a special session of
congress. If he came out with {,
good program which would naturally
be heralded all over the country the
progressives would be with him to
man and the more conservative and
even some reactionary members of
congress would be whipped into line
by the people back home-their con-
Stituents.
With good leadership right now
there would be less talking about the
way, the nine foot channel in the
Mississippi river, other river improve
ments, development of Muscle Shoals,
Boulder Dam, and other like national
projects of benefit to the people, but
there would be action. If congress
was called into session and decided
upon a public works program of from
two to five billion dollars a half mil
lion people could be put to work
quickly. These people would buy more
food products, clothing, furniture, and
other manufactured articles which in
turn would result in a better market
for farm products and speed up pro-
duction in the factories, giving work
to many more people and thus allevi-
ate the distress. Work would pick up
here and there, all. over.
Folks will say-more public eX-
penses, more taxes. True. But let
the taxes come from the right sources
A public works program of two to
five billion dollars should be paid for
out of federal income and inheritance
taxes. There is plenty of money in
the country and it should get into cir
culatiOn. This Capitalization If
wealth has been going on long enough
and it is time to call halt. In 1929
there were 5O4 individuals in the
United States who had each a net in
come of 81, 1000, 900 or more. Some of
them had an income of over $5,000,-
900 each. Just think of that stu
pendous sum for one man and his
family in one year. Is there any
sense in it? We are leading toward
financial autocracy if we do not
wake up and make change and peo-
pie of experience and mature years
know that there is no sympathy In
money. Mellon and others may shed
few crocodile tears. What good will
that do the common man? Besides
depriving the ordinary citizen and
worker of his just dues and a fair
share of happiness and contentment,
the Capitalization of wealth in the