Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-08-30

It now seems certain that when the
congress returns to Washington next
- January it will be
VIII Ask called upon immedi-
More Funds ately by the admin
istration to vote
more funds for relief Of the drouth vic
tins. Until later, however, the extent
to which the administration will seek
to go in this direction cannot be fore
told. It is evident that having seen the
circumstances first hand, Mr.. Roose-
velt's entire sympathy will be behind
whatever proposal he makes.
Observers here, however, foresee
some dangers as a result of the pres
ent desperate conditions. They know
that Mr.. Roosevelt will, as he has fire.
Quently stated, go the limit with fed
eral funds, but the danger foreseen by
astute observers here is that some of
the members Of the house and senate
will attempt to go beyond all reason in
preparation Of relief plans during next
ords show, that on every occasion
when the federal treasury doors are
opened senator's or representatives will
come forward with scores of plans I'M
der the guise of human relief to get
their hands on government money for
their constituents. 1t is fair to say
that some Of these will be sincere It
is equally fair to say that, as in the
past, some of them will have been
misguided. The conversations one
hears around Washington therefore in
dictate that those charged with gov
eminent responsibility must be on their
guard If vast sums are not to be
wasted under the guise of extending
relief to needy victims of natures
FRANKS this year.
Some of the brain trusters already
have developed far flung plans for the
physical transfer of thousands of farm
families from the drouth stricken dis
tricts into other areas where they can
get started again. While generally
speaking l believe sentiment in the
government favors doing anything
that will afford relief next winter, a
good many Of the higher authorities
in the administration point out that
the scheme of transposition of whole
families and their belongings presents
grave problems.
Without attempting to discuss the
merit or demerit of the scheme, it
Seems to me that attention ought to be
called to the fact that human beings
just can't agree to such programs.
There was cartoon in one of the
eastern metropolitan newspapers the
other day that de-
Frtce picted Uncle Sam
Situation begging a small boy
labeled prices to
grow up so that he could reach his
height Of 1925. Beside it was another
caricature which showed Uncle Sam
warning the same boy to stop grow
ing and announcing that if he, the
prices Of food, grows too much, II will
crack down." I refer to this cartoon
because most Washington observers
see the price situation in this country
to be quite confusing. 1t is to be re-
called that throughout last year and
early in 1884 the administration pred
icated all Of it's actions on a desire
to raise prices. Now, however, the eff
feet Of the prolonged drouth in the
agricultural areas is being felt in the
cities and President Roosevelt an
nounced his fear that profiteering in
food prices is likely to result and made
known that the administration has
definite plans to curb any undue rise
in prices. Thus far it has not been
made clear what is considered an I'M
due price rise under present condi-
tons but the President stated with
emphasis in a press conference that
he would not permit profiteering to
take place in the coming fall and win
ter because, he indicated, he thought
the price increases would be unjusti-
fed.
The President and Secretary Wal
lace, of the Department of Agriculture,
are working hand in hand in the de-
velopment of machinery which they
intend to use to protect consumers
from profteering. Mr.. Roosevelt as
serted he had plenty Of power with
which to do this job Mr.. Wallace,
speaking later, said the first check that
would be placed on an undue rise in
prices would be closer supervision of
the grain markets. Any indications of
manipulation in those markets will be
dealt with summarily, according to
Mr.. Wallace.
The circumstances surrounding price
questions, however, have caused many
observers to ask for further exposition
of the administrators policies in this
regard. AS far as have been able to
learn, none of the administration
spokesman are willing at this time to
20 beyond the threat to crack down
II there is profiteering. 1t must be as
sumed, therefore, that moderate price
increases will be tolerated. If they are
not, it is made to appear that the poll.
cies upon which the agricultural ad-
1ustment administration have been op-
Grating and those that have served as
the guideposts for MIRA in its code
making are no longer holding favor