The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-05-15
WASHINGTON HEADLINERS
Davi. OF The AAA: Farm Expert Who Savvies Politics

big sign reading Chester G.
Davis, Expert, = would identity
properly the man who directs the
agricultural adjustment admins
tration.
The 47-year-old Iowan had been
"experting" in social and economic
problems long before he succeeded
George N. Peek as administrator
of emergency measures for Amer
ica's six million farmers.
Now he experts" in placating
members Of congress when they
get s'riled up over something IN
the farm program, in the spending
of millions Of dollars each month
and in directing the activities OF
1000 farm administration work
ers.
Davis confesses frankly that
much Of the farm program is so
experimental IN nature that no
one can predict what i will accom-
|plish. Like any scientist, how
ever, ne has definite objective in
view and is willing to try almost
amy method to accomplish It.
Solicitpde For Staff
In variety Of ways Davis has
been working on farmers prob
Items ever since his graduation
from Grinnell college in Iowa. He
edited newspapers in South Da-
kota and Montana, was agricul-
tnral commissioner Of Montana,
grain cooperative leader and 9
hacker Of the McNary-H augen
bill.
One outstanding personal trait
Of the administrator is his solici-
tude for members Of his staff.
Side-stepping vacations for him.
self. he watches closely the health
of those under him and has been
known to order an AAA worker
to cheat It and don't show up
again for = week"
Davis IS baseball, football and
basketball fan, and he plays =
good game sof handball. Like his
chief, Secretary Wallace. he en-
Joys hiking, and In Montana he
wa known Is : skillful mountain
climber.
He married : Montana girl and
has two sons, both in high school.
as A Farmer
He lives in nearby Maryland
and drives to work, arriving early
and leaving after most Of the 9TH
er offices in the agriculture de-
partmcnt are dark.
! Bccause Of his long experience
hs 4 farm worker and farm owner,
as well is his knowledge Of Stats
tics and economics, Davis does not
have implicit faith in theories.
frequently ne upsets his advisers
by challenging conclusions they
draw from charts and graphs.
1T won't work., he tells them.
..As 4 farmer, | know better"
Casual acquaintance consider
Davis one Of the most serious men
in Washington. Bnt he has deep
sense Of humor. Is p good story
teller and an even better listener.
He ''Savvies Polities''
No schedule drafted BY his Of
flee force stands up longer than
an hour. Absorbed in CONVERSE
tion, he loses track of time; the
waiting list in his outer office
grows and his secretaries wiring
their hands.
The back door of his office Is
both q private entrance and an
escape hatch when q trip through
the outer office would mean an
hours delay going to and from
conferences. However, he con-
|sidcrs sealing II up because too
many Of his associates have learn
cd the avenue.
In group usually regarded as
devoid Of politicians. Davis il the
link between the AAA and the
lawmakers on capitol hill when
misunderstanding arise. As one
Of his staff remarked. he '.sayvies
politics. and enjoys putting
across the farm program to con-
lgress.