Imperial Valley press., 1932-09-14
ROOSEVELT
TALKS TO
MIDWEST
Suggests Tariff Benefit
For Farmers AS Means
Of Relief.
CONDEMNS TAXES
Too Many Units OF Local
Government, Candidate
Declares.
By FREDERICK STORM
United Press Staff Corresponden


STATE CAPITOL, TOPEKA,
kans., Sept. 14.-Governor Frank
lin D. Roosevelt today offered the
agricultural midwest a relief plan
to give farmers a tariff benefit
equivalent to the benefits given in
dustry.
The governor, making the first
of four major speeches on his trans
continental tour, emphasized i'm
portant points in the plan provid-
ing for self financing and preven-
ton of retaliation by foreign coun-
tries. He also advocated more equit-
able distribution OF taxes, the need
Tor reIlnancing iarm mortgages
and extension of credit to holders
of farm mortgages on certain con-
ditions.
The governor summed up his
plan in six proposals that provide
l. A tariff benefit over world
prices which is equivalent to the
benefits given by the tariff to in
dustrial products.
2. The plan must finance itself.
3. 1t must not make use of any
mechanism which would cause Eur
opean customer to retaliate on the
grounds of dumping.
4. 1t must make use of existing
agencies and SO far as possible be
decentralized in it's administration,
thus placing responsibility for op-
Grafton upon the locality rather
than upon Washington.
5. 1t must operate as nearly as
possible on cooperative basis and
its effect must be to enhance and
strengthen the cooperative move
ment.
g. The plan must not be coercive.
1t must be voluntary and the in
dividual producer should at all
times have the opportunity of nom
participation If he desires.
Roosevelt declared that before
putting the plan into effect Il
would reorganize the United States
Department of Agriculture, look
ing toward the administrative ma
chinery needed to build a program
of national planning"
Cites Third Process
The governor asserted that a
third process of permanent relief
for agriculture can come through
national leadership in the reduction
and more equitable distribution of
taxes.
with respect to this" he de-
clared. 81 propose to exert through
the presidency, as I have through
the goyernorship, such influence as
I can, in favor of a national move
ment to reorganiZe local govern
ment in the direction of eliminat-
ing some of the tax burden which
now bears so heavily on farms"
The nominee said there were too
many taxing districts, too many
local units of government, too many
unnecessary offices and functions.
He cited the necessity OF refin-
ancing farm mortgages if the farm
ers of the nation are to enjoy pros
perity. He pointed out that while
the last session of congress did q
great deal toward financially sta
bilizing banks, railroads and indus
try, practically nothing was done
by that body toward removing the
destructive menace of debt from
farm homes"
"It is my purpose, if elected" he
promised his audience, ito direct
all the energy of which I am cap
able to the formulation of definite
projects to relieve this distress"
Specifically" he asserted, II am
prepared to insist that federal credit
be extended to banks, insurance or
loan companies, or other corpor-
ations or individuals TSich hold
farm mortgages among their assets
but that these credits be made
on the condition that every reas-
enable assistance be given to the
mortgators where the loans are
sound. with the purpose of prevent
ing foreclosure"