Evening star., 1934-11-16

progress so far in settling the difn-
cult problems of wage differentials
between industries and sections.
"No Planning in N. r. A."
"As regards long-range objectives,
it is difficult to find any semblance Of
planning in the N R. A. In fact. the
in the path of industrial planning.
To begin with, the process of code
making for the purpose of recovery
was so directed as to impede, rather
than advance, the planful recon-
struction of industry.
The codes were set up hastily on
the assumption that bad code was
better than none at all.
There was thus much guesswork
and lot of bargaining in their max
ing. AS result, the N. r. A. has
brought about a rift in the inter-
relations of industries. Each industry
is supposed to contrive solution of
its own problems, and the ATS codes
in existence are complex and con-
fusing system"
THE emergency agricultural recov-
cry program has been seriously affect
ed by the drought of 1884" the report
said. What has been brought home
to us is the extreme danger of basing
a program on curtailment of output
Line Is Too Thin.
''The line between plenty and scar
city is too thin, and in any case in
regard to most agricultural products
the American people are still below
an adequate diet level.
1T is also obvious that before long
an attempt to carry out the present
short-run program will create large
problems. For instance, the program
of eliminating acreage from produc-
ton means displacement of farmers
from their present occupations, and
the question of the capacity of in
dustry to absorb such farmers is in
evitably raised.
The Department of Agriculture is
aware of these complications. 1t is,
in fact, the most forward looking
agency in the Federal Government
today, in so far as planning its pro-
gram is concerned.
Nevertheless, one must point out
some Of the limitations under which
long-range planning is studied in the
department. Little consideration is
given to the questions of the best
forms OF farm ownership. of the rela-
tlons OF different groups in agriculture
such as tenants, laborers, small owners
and corporate bodies, and to the ef-
fectS OF social institutions on agricul-
tural planning.
Thought for Worker,
Neither is the department giving
1ull recognition to the question wheth-
er 1t Is economical to put men back on
the land on small holdings in order to
give them subsistence EMPLOYMENT
and whether a decent standard of
living can be achieved on such a basis
or whether subsistence farms are going
TO become the dumping ground of
the economic wastage of the country.
Above all. little if any thought is
given to the agricultural worker.
IheSe and other problems call for a
greater coordination of short-run and
long-range objectives than the De-
partment of Agriculture has so far
been able to achieve"
In its major aspects the agricul-
tural recovery program has been sue
cessful only in part" the report
added. THE main object of the act
the attainment and establishment
OF the prewar price parity between
agriculture and industry-was not
achieved"
The Tennessee Valley Authority
power program was described as a
demonstration OF economy and social
service" which may "foreshadow
broad change from private to public
operation of utilities"
Postponement of all new reclama-
ton projects pending further develop
ment of plan for withdrawing sub
marginal lands from cultivation was
advocated.