Evening star., 1935-10-25

tatement today. in which he revealed
lis plan to point the farm program
way from an emergency" application
o q 'long-term" plan, follows:
In May. 1888. Congress enacted
the agricultural adjustment act,
which was designed tr relieve the
distress then prevalent among
farmers. Since that time several mil
lion producers have joined whole
heartedly with the Agricultural Ad-
justment Administration in far.
reaching adjustment programs.
wish to pay tribute to the
courage and perseverance with
which these farmers, using the
facilities made available by Con-
gress, have fought their way out
of the acute depression which en-
quilted them in 1882. They have
been patient in the face of delay.
tolerant of host of irritations and
undeterred by opposition because
they knew they could never win
except through cooperation on a
national scale. The first opportunity
farmers ever had to work together
on such a scale was afforded by the
adjustment act.
The achievements Of the A. A. A.
for agriculture are apparent to mil
lions of farmers. The improved
demand for city-made goods re-
Sulting from increasing farm buying
power Is reflected In better business
in towns and industrial centers
everywhere. The adjustment act
has served the national welfare.
There are people in this country
who can see no room for further
progress in agricultural adjustment.
OF these, some would be content to
continue the adjustment programs
exactly as they are. There are even
q few supporters Of the A. A. A. so
we'll satisfied with what has been
done that they would like to call
the job complete and finished.
More Permanent Plan"
But it never was the idea of the
men who framed the act. of those
In Congress who revised it, nor Of
Henry Wallace nor Chester Davis
that the Agricultural Adjustment
Administration should be either a
mere emergency operation or q
static agency
It was their intention-as 1t is
mine-to pass from the purely
emergency phases necessitated by
a grave national crisis to a long,
time. more permanent plan for
American agriculture.
Such a long time program is de-
veloping naturally out of the pres
ent adjustment efforts. AS 1 see
it, this program has two principal
detectives:
First, to carry out the declared
policy Of Congress to maintain and
increase the gains thus far made,
thereby avoiding the danger Of a
slump back into the conditions
brought about by our national
neglect Of agriculture
second, 10 broaden present ad-
justment operations so as to give
farmers increasing incentives for
conservation and efficient use Of
the Nations soil resources.
Simplification of present pro-
grams. with a view to increased
flexibility, would readily lend itself
to the broad objectives outlined.
Decentralization of machinery to
get more efficient administration
closer to the farmers already has
begun and will be vigorously con-
tinued. To simplify adrlinistra-
ton the A. A. A. will work toward
the objective Of one contract per
farm. The notifications planned,
IN addition to making administra-
ton easier. will facilitate produc-
ton adjustment either upward or
downward.
May Increase Production.
The time may come when the
A. A. A. will prove as important in
stimulating certain kinds of pro-
duction as it has been in remov-
ing recent burdensome surpluses.
For example, an expanded produc-
tion OF hogs, to replace shortages