Evening star., 1932-09-24
Roosevelt Farm Relief Talk
Gives Force to Tariff Issue

D. Young, President Hartman Of the
United States Chamber of Commerce
and Bernard Baruch, who understand
at last that this Nation cannot endure
If it is half boom" and half broke
Following these 'quick-acting remedies
Gov. Roosevelt would reorganize the De-
partment of Agriculture for active work
in national planning Of the farming
industry. He would apply far-reaching
methods involving planned use of the
land, an economic soil survey, a read
justment of the distribution of popula-
ton, the decentralizing Of industry
and the bringing of farm and market
closer together. And he would launch
national movement to reorganize and
reduce local government SO as to re-
duce the burden of farm taxation" The
Omaha paper testifies that "the fact
stands out that Gov. Roosevelt is thor
oughly and intimately familiar with the
farm problem"
'"The Democratic program may not
be a cure-all, nor does it claim to be.
for there must yet be a meeting of
minds of those who have studied the
situation" states the Roanoke Times
Democratic). But at least the Demo-
cratic party offers constructive steps
that will not place definite handicaps
in the way of farm recovery, and that
will not invite every third farmer to
abandon his crops and Starve, ap-
parently the only plan the present ad
ministration has had to offer to the
so ,000,0 900 people whose cost of produc-
ton has for some years been higher
than the selling price Of what they have
raised Solution of the farm problem
is basic. 1t is the key to all other
recovery"
Mr.. Roosevelt could hardly be ex-
pected to have formulated what dec
ade Of striving and host of thinkers
have failed to formulate" advises the
Newark Evening News independently,
with the further comment: I'm the or
ganization of the farmers he wants
voluntary effort, decentralized, a sort
of States rights plan, but grouped by
produce rather than by political boun-
daries. Suggestions so admirable in
conception deserve a more explicit
presentation SO We may know whether
Mr.. Roosevelt has workable plan or
is tantalizing the farmers with an en-
ticing mirage"
Gov. Roosevelt" says the Chicago
Daily News Gndependent, wishes it to
appear that worse than nothing has
been done for the farmers by the
Hoover administration. Yet, while
criticizing harshly the Farm Boards
purchase of wheat and cotton, he does
not venture to say word against its
chief work of helping to build up farm
co-operatives. This was the work for
which it was intended by President
Hoover. Neither does Gov Roosevelt
dispute the boards opportunities for
further usefulness The same IS true
of all the other agencies devised for
the farmers benefit which the Presi-
dent mentions thus in his acceptance
address: We have enacted many
measures of emergency relief to agrt-
culture. They are having effect.
shall keep them functioning.' The vital
question of sound leadership for the
Nation confrontS the American voter.
It cannot be settled wisely without un-
biased study of all relevant facts bear
ing upon that question. Gov. Roose-
velt's virulent attack upon his op-
ponent's record of farm relief is best
answered by q study of that record.
Such a study will disclose much sub
stantial achievement and much re-
medal work beneficial to the farmer
now actively under way, including GER
tain measures to which Gov. Roosevelt
gives prominence in his program"