Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-07
STONE OF KENTUCKY SUCCEEDS
LEGGE AS FARM BOARD HEAD
President Hoover Makes Ap-
pointment Immediately Upon
Receiving Resignation.
Retiring Chairman Urged by
Every Farm Organization
to Continue Work.

the President of Alexander P. Legge'S
resignation as chairman of the Federal
Farm Board yesterday, Mr.. Hoover
named James C. Stone of Kentucky to
succeed him. Mr.. Stone has been vice
chairman of the board, which post in
turn was filled through the appomszneIn
by the President of c. C. league, a
member of the board. The vacancy on
the Federal Farm Board will not be
filled for two or three weeks, 1t was
stated at the White House.
Expressing himself as rejecting the
view of the agricultural community
when l voice intense regret upon the
retirement of Mr.. Legge," President
Hoover said:
Chairman Legge has been urged by
every farm organization in the Un1teo
States to continue his work, and l nave
urged him with all the force I could
command. He, however, feels that ne
must go back to his business"
Twice Drafted for Service.
once drafted by Democratic PreSi-
dent and again by a Republican Presl-
dent to handle big Government JOBS,
the retiring Farm Board chairman Is
going back to selling farm machinery.
He quit cattle raising and farming
in Nebraska to sell and repair farm
machinery for the old McCoImicK
Reaoer Co. BY the time the World war
came he was an executive of the en-
larged International Harvester Co,
directing sales to farms throughout the
world.
President Wilson drafted him for the
War Industries Board. After that lop
was over he became president OF the
international. At President Hoovers
call he left q 100000 year salary TO
get the Farm Board started IN 1879.
He took the job for year, but upon
White House insistence, stayed eight
months beyond that time.
Became Storm Center.
He has been a storm center since the
Hoover agricultural policy was put INTO
operation, On numerous occasions ne
has become involved in controversies.
In a statement at the Farm Board
about the time the President named
his successor Legge expressed greater
confidence in the ultimate success OF
the agricultural marketing act than
when he undertook the work.
The chairman termed his reSlgnatlon
as "a mere formality."
Gas a matter of fact" the statement
continued, az have been working on
overtime for nearly eight months, 1t be.
ing clearly understood when accepted
the position that it was for q one-year
period in helping to get the organiza-
ton set up and the work started.
1.-THE program has progressed TO Q
point where the organization may be
safely classified as a going concern. !
sincerely believe the plan Of operation
to be sound and that the test Of time
will prove this to the satisfaction OF all
while results may seem slow, it is
not reasonable to expect that the con-
dition which has been developing over
could be corrected in any
brief period of time, particularly when
you take into account the fact that the
industry affected represents some six
and one-han million Individual pro-
ducing units.
Confldent Of Success.
Personally have q greater conf
dence in the ultimate success in the
laid down by Congress in the
agricultural marketing act than when
I undertook the work some 20 months
ago and viii cooperate in every way /
may as private citizen to bring this
about"
The chairman said those opposing
the board ARE making a lot of noise,
but really represent q very small per-
centage Of the american public"
The real difficulty the board has to
contend with, he added, is m the slow
ness of farmers in acting collectively
for their own good"
The chairman Incorporated in his
farewell statement an appeal TO the
farmers to give the board IAN even
- in he
past"
To those disposed to criticize the
boards actions, Legge suggested that
each and every industry in the country
Is directly affected and that any i'm
provement in the agricultural income
viii react TO the benefit of ALL"
IT would also offer the suggestion
that in the future more attention be
given to the young folks, particularly
the boys and girls clubs, who in their
competitive contests are learning the
value of teamwork" he said. 1T does
not matter much what becomes of us
old fellows, who will soon be out of
the picture. The problems of the fu-
ture must be met by the coming gen.
Grafton"
Forecasts Improvement.
Legge expressed belief that "the
greatest general depression on record
had reached the bottom, and from now
on improvement would be shown.
To his fellow board members the
chairman directed word "of sincere
appreciation for their untiring efforts"
The new chairman Of the board has
had many years experience in co-opera-
tive marketing, the fundamental prin-
ciple on which the Farm Board works.
He organized and was general man
ager for a number of years of the
Burley Tobacco Cooperative Associa-
ton of Kentucky, his native State.
He has been a member of the Farm
Board since its organization and has
been active particularly in organizing
cotton and tobacco co-operatiyeS,
financed and directed by sterilization
corporations under the direction Of the
Farm Board.
Characteristic OF his activities as
chairman, Legge worked at his desk
until shortly before official announce
ment Of the acceptance Of his resig-
nation.
Attaches Of the board then gathered
in his office and presented him with
flowers.
Legge was accompanied TO the sta
ton by all members of the board, ex-
cept the new chairman, who was at the
White House.
LAID FIRM FOUNDATION.