Evening star., 1933-10-22
Why the Nations Farmers Are Ailing
And What Is Being Done to Help Them

But the period Of normal lag men
toned by the Secretary has passed and
farm prices are lower than they were at
the time ne predicted they would be
nearer to parity.
This disparity between what has hap
pened under the N. R. A. and what has
happened under the A. A. A. Is one OF
the interesting developments OF the
present recovery period. 1t is an out
growth of two distinct methods OF pro-
cedure that cropped out early in the
recovery movement. put which now are
atctntua0d.
Gen. Hugh johnson and his N. r. A.
administrators set out to bring prosper
ity to the cities by mobilizing popular
sentiment back Of their program Of
shorter hours and higher wages. They
avoided the slower method Of approach
that would have come through gradual
inclusion of industries under codes ana
strict enforcement of those codes once
imposed.
Secretary Wallace and George Peek.
administrator Of the adjustment act.
followed a different course. They set
out deliberately to adjust supply and
iemand by playing with economic forces
To accomplish that purpose through
processing taxes, bonus payments to CO.
operating farmers and marketing agree
ments for handlers of farm products
they utilized the full powers vested in
them by Congress.
The story is told that before either
the Blue Eagle campaign or the agri-
cultural adjustment program got well
under way, Gen. johnson appeared be-
fore officials Of the Department Of Agri-
culture and told them of his plans for
arouSing the country back Of the recov-
cry plan.
He urged upon Secretary Wallace the
use of similar methods in agriculture.
Instead of calling into effect the powers
of the law to license industry and then
to enforce compliance on penalty of loss
of license to do business. the suggestion
was that an emotional campaign should
be instituted by both the N. R. A. and
the A. A. A.
But the farm relievers had different
ideas. They consistently refused to
have Blue Eagle campaign for agri-
culture. in spite Of urging from many
farmers. Even buy now" or buy more
OF this or that" campaigns were frowned
upon.
Instead, the A. A. A. pushed ahead
along the lines of the law. It went out
and through its agents plowed up cotton
that farmers had contracted to destroy,
but had failed to destroy. 1t imposed
licenses upon milk dealers. peach can
ners. rice professors and marketers, and
has marketing agreements in process of
formulation in many industries.
Nearly 100 professors or dealers in
farm products already have been called
upon to show cause why their licenses
should not be suspended or revoked.
Either would mean putting them out Of
business. One peach Gamer in Cali
!ofnia mas been permanently enjoined
from violating the marketing agreement
unoer which that industry operates and
on Two occasions the adjustment act
Thus far the National Recovery Ad.
mmHtration has avoided use of its
licensing powers. It has steered clear
OF the courts in every possible way and
only now is setting out to enforce the
requirements Of the blanket code for
fair competition.
This week has seen the first move
made to punish. with any weapon other
tnan public sentiment, violators of N.
n. A. codes. President Roosevelt pro.
mulgated an order which gave to Gen.
Johnson power TO place in jail or to
nne those who deliberately broke their
code agreements.
The Agricultural Adjustment Admin.
stsation has proceeded more slowly, and
mas used the full force Of its law. The
national Recovery Administration has
moved swiftly. employing an emotional
appeal that has brought sharp price
Tne farm ofncials say privately that
tney may De moving steadily ahead By
the nrst OF the year, while the cities are
stnl undergoing adjustments.
(Copvright, 1881