The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-12-07
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National Topics Interpreted - fTNNf7S&
by William Bruckart @En<n{fT
National Topics Interpreted
by William Bruckar1

Washington.-Henry A. Wallace, sec
rotary of agriculture. is girding his
-, =, armor to fight off q
w ottoce drive to revise the
Will Fight agricultural adjust
ment act. Mr.. Wal
lace sees many sinister moves now be-
ing made in that direction and he Is
preparing to meet his adversaries In
the congressional battle that now ap-
pears certain to come
The secretary freely admits now that
there may be some changes necessary
in the adjustment act, but his position
will be boldly against too much whit
Ting when agricultural legislation is
before congress in January. The con-
viction is held by him that the agri-
cultural situation has been improved
by the New Deal program, and he Is
avowedly favorable to it's retention in
general way. although In a recent
speech Mr.. Wallace told the national
grange that probably it would be neces-
sary to re-examine the basis of the
program that has been operating now
more than year.
Exactly what form the drives on the
adjustment act and administration may
take this coming winter said Mr.. Wal
lace in an interview the other day, mo
one of us can say, but from present
indications would anticipate the most
potent drive to be directed at restric-
tons on agricultural production. So I
envision a conflict, choice between
two paths, one leading to unrestricted
agricultural production at the earliest
possible moment, the other leading to
continuance and perfection Of the pres
ent control methods. Either path may
very well require certain changes in
the Agricultural Adjustment act. Be-
fore I discuss unrestricted production
In detail, would like to say parentheti-
cally that / am for it, provided there
Is sufficient excess of imports over
exports to service the debts owed us
by foreign nations, and in addition to
pay fair price for our exportable sur
plus; and provided, furthermore, that
shipment of these excess products
abroad does not impoverish our soil
beyond repair"
While Mr.. Wallace is saying that the
drive is on the adjustment act, observ-
ers are finding considerable objection
among farmers to control from Wash
ington. think it is an undoubted fact
that the American farmers are rock
ribbed individualists and, that being
true, they naturally resent having bu-
reaucrats sitting in Washington offices
tell them what to do and how to do it.
Because the farm industry was so fiat
on its back when the adjustment act
was passed, the bulk of the farmers
were willing to accept anything that
promised measure of relief, according
to the considered judgment of students
who have watched the whole picture
They have found now, however, that
unhappy consequences have resulted,
and l am told by many members of
congress that they are uncertain
whether there is majority Of farm
ers in this country now favorable to
the New Deal farm program.
1t seems reasonably certain, there
fore, that the discussion of farm legis-
lation in the new
consumer congress will devel-
to Be Heard op that which has
not been developed
before, namely, the voice of the con-
sumner. There is also likely to be vio-
lent expressions from the corn and hog
producers because of the processing
taxes on hogs. A goodly number of
farm leaders believe, after surveys
among actual farmers, that the proc
essing taxes on hogs have been taken
out Of the farmers hide and not the
hog.
told you some weeks ago that there
was every prospect of a proposal to
repeal the Bankhead cotton law. That
movement has gained in momentum be-
yond belief. The Department of Agri-
culture, under Mr.. Wallace's direction,
is taking census, vote, on the ques-
ton whether this law should be con-
tinued. The result is that congress
will find that question on its doorstep
also, and don't forget that opponents of
the Bankhead law are real fighters.
Those who claim to have suffered dam
ages under it believe that one dose is
enough, and If they do not gain their
point one way, they will accomplish
their desires in another, much to the
chagrin Of Senator Bankhead, of Ala
bama, who made so many long speeches
in its behalf.
Mr.. Wallace stated that he expects
the main drive against present agri-
cultural laws to be In favor of removal
of all restrictions on production. He
thinks that is ridiculous course to fol-
low. He proposes to give present
schemes of control time for trial in
order to perfect them. In this he has
the whole-hearted support of the New
Deal professors who clutter up Depart
ment Of Agriculture offices In numbers
greater than In any other government
department. The professors have
their contacts at the Capitol, and they
use them. Thus, observers here feel
that opponents of the present adjust
ment act may not win unless the OBJ
Jections claimed to exist among the
farmers themselves are made vocal IF
that occurs, 1t is declared by authori-
ties, we may see President Roosevelt
taking hand because of the politics
involved. If the President throws his
weight in favor ofsrevision, there is
little doubt but that changes will come.
If he indicates that he is satisfied with