The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-03-09
National Topics Interpreted

EkCElIHk OH d5dluSt 6AOuR VA
ere Packers large meat packing
concerns, but the
fight thus started promises to tran
scend the charge of crookedness on
the part of ten corporations cited.
From the undercurrent Of information
around Washington, one can readily
believe that questions Of policy may
become the focal point of the current
controversy. While the packers may
fold up their tents, admit some Of the
charges and not fight back any fur
ther, the situation is fraught with pos
sibilities Of politics that lead directly
to an attack on Roosevelt administra-
ton New Deal policies. Fundamental
ly, these questions involve determine
ton of how far the people want their
national government to manage bust
ness affairs.
1t is unfair, of course, to hold that
the ten big packers are guilty Of COM
bined effort at manipulation Of prices
or Vaccinations to drive out competi-
ton in certain sections of the country,
solely because some officials Of the De
partment of Agriculture made the
charges It is likewise unfair to hold
the packers have clean records be-
cause the charges were made by some
of the officials of the department that
was described by members of congress
as being "full of Communists" 1t is
q fact that the packers have been
dragged into court before on similar
charges, and it is also admitted that
there are some officials in the Depart
ment of Agriculture who are so radi-
cal as to be DESTROYS of seeing private
business destroyed.
With these facts in mind, it is well
to recall also that in the last several
months there has been smoldering SEN
timent that the federal government is
going too far in directing the affairs
Of private individuals. A good many
observers here believe that the charges
now renewed against the meat pack
ers, after fifteen years of comparative
quietude in this direction, will precipi
tate a political fight over the main
question of how far the government
ought to go. That is to say, some
think the packer controversy will
bring the larger question to head.
There was plain disposition on the
part of most persons to withhold criti-
cism of the Department Of Agriculture
all through the early months Of
President Roosevelt's administration.
Whether one agreed with the New
Deal program or was definitely opposed
to it, the disposition was to avoid at
tacks on the Department Of Agricul-
ture because of the sad plight of the
industry it was supposed to help. But
differences have arisen among the
farm leaders and among the members
of congress from agricultural districts
as to the way things have been run
at the Department of Agriculture, and
these differences are not concealed any
longer. Consequently, it appears just
possible that Secretary Wallace and
the professors on whom he has leaned
so heavily may soon find swirling
storm around their heads, which, once
started, surely will go beyond just that
phase of the Presidents New Deal
program.
For instance, there is bill pending
that proposes to make the federal gov
eminent supervisor
Far-Reaching of the security ex-
D.o~o.,1 changes, the stock
markets. 1t is far
reaching; of that, there can be no
doubt. But differences of opinion are
sharp, and, generally speaking, they
may be traced back to ones basic be-
lief as to the extent the federal gov.
eminent should go in managing your
business and mine. 1t is held by all
observers to be perfectly normal and
natural line of cleavage.
This legislation would attempt to
control the sales of all shares of stock
and bonds whether on the floors of the
trading exchanges or across the coun-
tiers of brokers. The operations would
be directed from Washington through
the Federal Trade commission. Its
scope and the fact that administra-
ton of this phase of business, like so
many others. would be centered in
Washington causes concern among
that school of thought which clings to
the idea of policy permitting individ-
uals to conduct their own business
without having to bow and scrape be-
fore a bureaucrat in Washington.
The activities of some of the NRA
leaders in debating business policies
and practices is well known, but those
opposed to them are none the less OPP
posed because they made less noise
In the last few months. They will join
In any movement that promises to over
turn the program of business dictator
ship that has been set up. The same
is true respecting the attitude of bust
ness men and women on numerous
other phases of the New Deal. 1t is
an opposition that thus far has not
been allowed to blow off steam.
Tins In many quarters of Washing