Evening star., 1933-10-29
BY OWEN L. SCOTT.
tcopyrisht. 1888. by the Consolidated Pre-


The most pleased and the best salts
fed oflcial in Washington today prob
ably Is that one-time Republican Sena-
tor from Iowa, Smith Wildman Brook
hart. who was known in his day as a
radical.
The former Senator now bears the
unimpoSing title Of special adviser to
the Agricultural Adjustment Admins
tration on Eastern European markets "
In Eastern Europe is Russia, and in
Russia the Government of the United
States right now sees what might be a
partial answer to its farm problem as
well as to its industrial problem
Eyebrows were raised when the Iowa
insurgent Republican shortly after
March 4 was given title and cubby-
hole office on the fourth floor of the
Department OF Agriculture's South
Building. Many thought that deserv-
ing independent Republican was being
given salary and an opportunity to
work q hobby.
Mr.. Brookhart had other ideas. He
set out on scouting expeditions, and
what he found has had a decided influ-
ence In shaping the course of events
that now have placed Maxim Litvinoff
commissar Of foreign affairs for the
Union OF Soviet Socialist Republics. on
board ship headed for Washington.
Conversations that Litvinoff Is to hold
with President Roosevelt shortly after
November l will decide whether or not
this Government will recognize the Rus
sian government after 16 years of
broken relations.
May Make Dream True.
The conversations will also decide
whether the special adviser to the Az
ricultural Adjustment Administration is
to see his dreams come true.
A visitor to the office Of this special
adviser, In search Of information and
light on the economic side Of the Rus
sian question, as 1t might affect the
American farmer and the American in
dustrialist, finds him surrounded by re-
ports and stacks Of concentrated fig
ures. Until Wednesday of this week he
had one room. To that room were COM
ing representatives of big industries,
contractors seeking contact with Rus
sian representatives men seeking work
In Russia. When one was inside talk
ing others had to stand in the hall
Then. with Russia suddenly in the news.
whoever handles office space for the
Government decided that the special
adviser on Eastern European markets
should have more room. and Mr.. Brook
hart found himself with a private Office
as well as waiting room.
Mr.: Brookhart gives the impression
OF being in the business of selling Rus
sia to his country. You can listen to
him and learn how the United States
can solve its farm problem without kill
ing baby pigs, or blowing up cotton, or
shooting dairy cows. You also can
learn, taking his figures. where huge
output from our mass production indus
tries might go.
Russia Raising Standard.
Here Is nation of 100000 900 peo-
ple," he starts off. Until recently
their standard of living was only slight
ly above that of the American Indian.
Suddenly they have turned to utilize
their immense resources to raise that
standard"
But, you suggest, most of these 163,-
100000 people are farmers, so where
does farm relief for the United States
enter the picture?
Take the case of pigs" he replies.
Last vera Russia produced 100000
pigs. The United States produced co.
100000. Russia's population is bigger
than ours, her climate is colder, and the
demand for pork is huge. They need
breeding purposes, and they can take
those animals at time when we need
to get rid Of them.
"Then there is cotton. Russia has
1000 900 spindles, we have 81 ZOO. 900.
Yet because of lack of supplies that
country has been able to operate those
spindleS at only go per cent of capacity.
We could have sold them 100000 bales
Of cotton during each of the past two
years If we would have made any effort
to do business with them. That would
have removed part of our surplus cot
ton. Besides, they want 100000, 900
yards Of cotton cloth month, which we
can sell.
"There Is no chance of doing busi-
ness in wheat, but they do want cattle.
both dairy and beef cattle. And, of
course, the demand for machinery and
equipment is huge. I could sell them
$10o 900 900 worth of engines and rails
tomorrow If there were recognition and
If credits could be arranged. They want
$500, ,000, 900 worth Of heavy machinery"
Knows Payment System.
It Is easy to see Russia's need, you
suggest. But how about getting paid
for the things we would export? Haven't
We had one lesson In selling foreign ma
tions on credit that has involved about
enough financial pain?
Russia can pay cash for some pur-
chases," Mr.. Brookhart explains. THE
catch Is that under her 5-year plan
needs are classified by categories. Ma
chinery is In the first category and can
be paid for on the basis Of short-term
credits in many instances. Agricultural
products are lower down on the list
and would require longer-term credits,
probably four or five years"
So the business in sight Is largely
credit business, you observe.
"It Is credit business, but no nation
has q better credit record than the pres
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