Evening star., 1934-08-09
The Farm Plan.


Department OF Agriculture, and ether
officials Of the department and of the
Agricultural Adjustment Administra-
ton are taking the field 10 explain to
the farmers just what the A. A. A.
has done for them and Is proposing to
do. There has been talk of a growing
criticism Of the A. A. A. and parts OF
It's program in the agricultural States.
The severe drought in the Middle
West and the Northwest has done
more In a few weeks to wipe out the
surplus crops than have the crop re-
duction efforts Of the administration,
II the crops estimates are to be
credited.
II seems incredible. In view OF the
hundreds OF millions of dollars which
have gone and are soon to go to the
farmers in Government checks for
their cooperation in crop reduction
that there should be any need OF de-
fense OF the A. A. A. And yet there
is. apparently Such is the perversity
of human nature. There are farmers
who do not wish to be told exactly
what acreage they shall plant. There
are farmers who do not relish allot-
ments that seem to them smaller than
they should be permitted. The
drought has brought to many OF the
farmers a bitter spirit. 1t is true that
without the Government aid which is
going TO them these farmers would be
in even worse case. But 1t is the fate
OF those In power ever to be blamed
for the evils that happen TO the in
dividual.
Congress at It's last session put
through the Bankhead bill, which
gives the Government control of cot
ton production through the taxing
power 1t put through also a bill
dealing with tobacco production along
the same lines. The belief has grown
that similar legislation later would be
demanded for wheat and other farm
crops. Such q system would. If car
ried to its full. degree: place in the
hands of the Government in Wash
ington sutocratic power over the ac-
tivities of all the farmers In the
country It is against such power
that. Senator Byrd of Virginia has in
weighed, Democrat though he be.
Surplus crops have been a terrible
drag on. the. farmer in past years.
There is no denying that. Secretary
Wallace must be given credit for a
sincere desire to aid the farmers Of
the country in the plans for crop re-
duction The Government, however,
has meddled too much in the agricul-
turai industry for its good in the past.
It was the Government which pleaded
with the farmers for a great expan-
sion of production during the World
War, until vast areas were added to
those already in cultivation.
The farmers and the industrialistS
must choose between a system of free
dom of operation wherein they may,
through their own cooperative efforts
and organizations, seek to plan and to
govern their production and system
whereby the Government becomes the
dominant planner and all Of the peo-
pie farmers and industrialistS, must
abide by those plans. The steps taken
under the new deal of the present ad-
ministration have been toward the
second system. The passage of the
Bankhead cotton bill and the Kerr
tobacco bill are sufficient indications.
If there were not many others, that
this is fact. No one will deny that
the new dealers are seeking to better
the condition of the people generally,
but there Is very great and impor-
tant question whether their system Of
Government control of the activities
Of the people will make the American
people happier, There can be no doubt
that the system viii take away from
them their freedom of choice.
The speaking campaign outlined now
for Secretary Wallace and his as
sistants is wise move. The farmers
are entitled TO know the whole story,
the plans which the administration
has ahead for them and Just where
the planning Of the Government may
eventually lead.