The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-01-17
NEWSPAPERS OPINIONS
TO FIGHT ALLOTMENT


resentative Major A. L. Bulwinkle, is making
good fight against the much discussed domestic al
lotment measure-the new cure-all by winch con-
gress is proposing to correct the economic Ills OF
the American farmer.
The Record is pleased to see that MAJOR bull
Wrinkle is once more refusing to be balyhooed oil
his balance by program of government enoeaVor
which would be altogether experimental in its char
acter and fraught with many potential dangers that
might plunge us into still deeper depression
Most of us feel that the Farm Board has proved
dismal failure, and we know that it has cost the
people millions of dollars in expense at time Wheh
their public burdens already crushngly heaVy'
There should be considerably more hesltancy about
rushing into another similar attempt, especially
when there are so many arguments against the VEN
ture.
Most farmers, we believe, would prefer that
prompt steps be taken to prevent the wholesale
foreclosures on their property-perhaps by some
long-term financing plan through the joint-land
banks Given a reasonable stay In the execution
of mortgages at this time and with the worth of
the dollar cheapened somewhat that they could
ultimately pay off their obligations in the same
sort of commodity values by which they measured
the indebtedness at the time it was contracted,
farmers would we believe be satisfied to let the
laws of supply and demand function unimpeded.
The trouble today is that much of the normal
demand is choked off through unemployment. There
are not anything like the crop SURPRISES which many
of US imagine, due to the fact that under normal
employment conditions the consumption of the mil
lions who are now in need would take up most of
the present slack.
In situation of this Sort the allotment plan
seems all the more ridiculous
The Gastonia Gazette lists some of the reasons
that the measure would prove runous, especially
to this section, as follows:
l. With the combed yarn spinning mills running
at the present time on drastically curtailed
schedule and with further curtailment on the hor-
zon it will work fearful hardship all connected
in any capacity with the cotton industry Higher
prices for processed products curtail the use and
reduce the demand for the raw materials.
2. With the consequent proposed raising of the
tariff on Egyptians to lac instead of the present
7c higher tariff wall will be built.
8. Although cotton would cost the mills 1Oc per
pound the price of cotton would still be quoted at
sc per pound and so on =. . creating confusion in
the cotton markets.
a. 1t will increase the cash outlay of the mills by
so per cent to 100 per cent in the purchase of
cotton requirements. This will Immediately retard
business.
5. Five cents per pound on raw cotton means
6 lac on carded yarns, and 7 lie on combed
yarns proportionately that amount being lost in
waste, combings, etc.
6. 1t could not be carried into effect without an
enormous increase of federal employees, with con-
sequent heavy burden on the federal government,
when the nation at large is begging for decrease
in expenditures by the government.
7. Taking only the three principal crops sug-
gested, it would involve surveillance of farms as
follows, according to census report of 1919:
WheaC farms ---------------2,225, l34
cotton farms ,905,86
Tobacco farms -------------- 448,572
Total 4,579,569
Such a force of employees, under bureaucratic
direction, would constitute a formidable political
power, with members in every township in a posi-