The daily worker., 1933-01-18
Farm Foreclosures Double

WASHINGTON, Jan. l7.--StatiSticS
which startlingly reveal the depth Of
the capitalist crisis as it has affected
the farmers Of the U. s. are contained
In the five year report just issued by
the Bureau Of Agricultural Economics.
Nine and one-half per cent OF the
farmers lost their farms during this
period as result Of forced sales aris-
ing from foreclosures Of mortgages,
bankruptcy, default Of contract, sales
to avoid foreclosures, surrender of
title or other transfers TO avoid FORE
closure.
An average of 13 farmers out of
every 1000 were driven off the land
because of inability to pay taxes dur
ing the past year, it is revealed. This
is double the number of the previous
year.
The sharp decline in farmers in
come is the basis for the continued
ruination of thousands of farmers.
particularly in. New England and in
the Mountain states. The index of
farm prices as of Dec. Is was So per
cent Of the 19l0-1s14 average.
Stop More Sheriff's Sales
OMAHA, Jan. 17.--Militant action
on the part of farmers was once more
displayed when farmers mobilized at
two points today and forced sheriffs
to postpone mortgage foreclosure
sales. At Dakota City, Neb., 500 de-
terrnined farmers appeared at the
farm of Thomas Sullivan and served
notice that there would be no bidding.
The sheriff offered the land for sale
three times, but the response was
stony silence, and the sale had to
be postponed indefinitely.
Militia Against Strikers
BISMARK, N. D., Jan. Tin an
effort to justify the use of the state
militia to smash farm strikes, Sem
ator w. E. Martin today introduced
measure to "legalize farm strikes
and to empower the governor to call
out the militia to maintain order
should riots ensue."
Amends rake farm Bill.
NEW YORK. Senator Ellison D.
Smith, of So Carolina, ranking
Democratic. member on the Senate
Agricultural Committee yesterday
urged amendment of the farm par
ity' bill to include only wheat and
cotton instead Of the seven products
originally propoSed-wheat, cotton,
tobacco, peanuts, rice, butter fat and
hops.
This bill proposes that farmers re-
duce their crops on these items, re-
ceiving subsidy if proof is offered
that 20 per cent less was grown than
the previous year. 1t is an attempt
to cut down acreage so that those
who are holding large supplies Of
wheat and other products can get
higher prices.
Cal. Strikers Win Victory.
VACAVILLE, Cal, Jan. 1.-THE
second trial of the three Melgar
brothers and A. Espinosa resulted in
a second victory for the striking Va
caville agricultural workers. A jury
WilOoG SClCCtlOtI tOOk OkiC dllQ Ollc-
half days brought in verdict of
mot guilty" for John Melgar and A.
Espinosa and could not agree on a
verdict for Robert and James Melgar
after five hours of deliberation.
The militant atmosphere which
had prevailed at the court room dur
ing the first trial was intensified
during this trial by the presence of
100 hunger narchers who had just
returned from Sacramento. The
jurors were clearly affected by the
spirit of the strikers. One prospec-
tive jurywoman said in response to
a question by the attorney that she
wished that the small farmers would
have such good union as the strik-
ers have SO that theys could sell
their fruits and get something for
their labor.
Donald Bingham, one of the first
arrested during this strike and now
out on 5000 bail furnished by the
International Labor Defense, will 20
on trial in FairfiaId IN Ian 10