Evening star., 1934-06-08

~ Z &TN
IHAAA,@ QG
Those who tell this yarn predict
that the Northwest and Middle West
nay eventually become as dry as the
Sahara.
The main trouble with this explain
alton is that the Japanese current
has not changed. The best experts
have measured it TO an inch. What
did change was the flow Of Arctic
winds. They came down the Hudson
Bay route this year instead of far
ther west
That happens about once every 40
years. At least, it occurred in 1859
and in 1894.
May Happen Again in 1878.
It is not likely to happen again
until 1875, which is certainly nothing
to worry about now.
Many of the absurd explanations
are based on the superstition Of heav-
enly wrath. Those need not be an
swered in the face Of scientific proof
that the phenomenon is only a 40
year quirk Of nature.
But there is one other more
sensible theory. 1t is that uast
public lands in and near the North
,Destern Rockies hdDe been so
closely grased BY sheep that there
is no grass left to retain moisture.
Hence, this moisture fotDs of to
the sea instead OF being absorbed
by clouds, ,ohich mould ordinarily
deposit it in the drought region.
If there is anything in this theory,
it is certainly not more than
bucketful. The best scientists here
say the drought region would never
miss the rain it loses from this source,
If it loses any
The rain for the drought area
comes from three sources
the Pacific. the Gulf of Mexico and
during the Summer) re-precipitation
In nearby areas. The failure Of re-
is what caused the
drought several years ago and was q
factor this Spring. Don't
ask SClcnLlSI why. 4IdI u OIlC oA
the things he has not found out yet.
However, as long as there is any
water left in the Pacific and the Gulf
Of Mexico the Middle West and
Northwest can expect the rainfall
which has made 1t the food-giving
center of the world.
Story Cannot be Told.
The bald truth is the drought story
has not been told and cannot be told.
A different local situation exists on
every farm and a continuing situa-
tion. The havoc may not be evident
for weeks or months.
There Is no way to reduce such
condition to headlines which would
convey a striking idea to the public
mind. For one thing. you cannot tell
accurately how many people are af-
fected or how much relief money is
needed. Neither can you take q
news picture Of a drought.
One thing is certain. The ad-
ministrdtion is thoroughly aroused,
inside and out 1t has enough
money and enough po,Der to ham
die dozen droughts.
This will unquestionably minimize
the full effect Of conditions on busi-
ness.
The inside excuse for the existing
stalemate in war debts is that Presi-
dent Roosevelt planned it all out with
a purpose
Those nearest the big swivel chair
in the White House explain we had
to get into the situation we are in
now before we could collect more than
mere token payments. Also. that Mr..
Roosevelt had to let Congress force
a default so it could get the hate"
out of its system. That is why he
approved the johnson amendment.
Now. when the fact sinks in that we
are not going to get a dime, he can
get somewhere with negotiations for
readjustment of the debts SO that we
can get as mucn money as possible.
You may have to stretch your
to believe it was all plan
ned out that way in advance, but you
can be reasonably sure it will end in
accordance with this explanation.
Negotiations will be resumed some
time in the future and we will get as
much out of the debts as we can.
However, ultimate settlement Is q
long way off. probably years off.
The British Ambassador most en-
moment lately was when
his majesty's government discovered
that he let out the war debt note here
too soon.
His majestys government is
holding the State Department re-
Sponsible, but the department
credits the error to Sir Ronald
Lindsay. Apparently, London did
not tuant the note made public un-
til the afternoon OF June S, after
the opening OF the House Of Com
mons Sir Ronald authorized the
State Department here to giue it
out almost "a hours earlier. 1t iCas
cabled back to London, and the
British foreign Office was amazed
to read II in British newspapers.
Such things cause an awful flutter
In diplomatic circles. This Govern
ment may have to explain Informally
to the British foreign office.
One Man Adjournment.
One Republican Senator has long
had his reservations to 60 home to-
and says he Is going to ad-
journ, whether Congress does or not.
The administration is having much
trouble dealing out to the steel people
the same agreement which was given
to automobiles. but that will be the
basis of the final steel labor arrange
ment.
Mr.. Rooseuelt's timing OF drought
relief steps shops how he works.
He stDung into action before de-
ndnds for relief Uere made. The
Agriculture Department gaze him
ddUdnce information.
The best story written about Mr..
efforts to put the labor
and housing bills through Congress
by vague indirection was written by
w. H. Grimes of the Wall Street
Journal. He wired his newspaper:
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