Evening star., 1936-01-11
Conservation Plan Hinted as
Successor to 0utIaWed
Program.
CASH FOR FARMERS
WOULD BE CONTINUED
Government Would Pay Growers
for Planting Part of Land
to Legumes.
BACKGROUND

IedueTS. Expansion OI LHe uuJuSt-
ment program pGS preceded in euery
instance by referendum among
classes of farmers affected by the
proposed expansion. A. A. A. OFF,
cidls based their argument that
the program tDds popular on the
results of crop-curtailment ballot
ing by farmers.
A group OF farmers came to
Washington last May to cheer the
adjustment theory and the bene-
fit payment.
Before bringing forth a neD pro-
gram, Secretary Wallace again
called farmers in for discussion.
(copyrisht, 1896, by the Associated PressJ
A hurry-call to a soil conservation
wizard" to speed across the continent
and sit in at a big farm parley here
gave a new hint today of what the
successor to A. A. A. may be like.
1t was learned that Howard r.
Tolley, described By administration Of
ficials as the foremost agricultural
economist" in the United States. had
been called from the West Coast 10
attend the farm conference summoned
by Secretary Wallace to discuss new
plans in the light of the death of
A. A. A.
Tolley, now director of the Giannini
Foundation in California, began last
Spring a regional planning and soil
conservation study which was de-
scribed as the most important in the
history of the Nation. Until last Oc-
tober he was assistant A. A. A. ad-
miniStrator.
Subsidized Conservation Likely.
The invitation to him was consid-
cred especially significant in view OF
the fact President Roosevelt. Secretary
Wallace and A. A. A. Administrator
Chester Davis have emphasized they
consider it desirable to proceed toward
production control through subsidized
soil conservation.
Though nothing is considered set
tied, word from the farmers meeting
indicated delegates were centering on
soil conservation plan TO be imple-
mented with cash from the Govern
ment.
In the view of several farmers at
tending the session. soil conservation
might result in control of production.
For instance, they said, farmer might
retire a percentage Of his land from
commercial crops and plant it to soil-
building legumes, receiving Govern.
ment money for so doing. The result,
advocates say, would be controlled pro-
duction of commercial crops and sus-
tanned prices for them.
Domestic Allotments Favored.
Administrator Davis has said he per-
sonally prefers a composite soil con-
servation program. plus some form Of
domestic allotment plan to provide i'm
mediate cash aid to farmers. Experts
| say that under a domestic allotment
plan, the Government might fix quotas
on portions of crops to be sold for do
mestic consumption. Farmers might
then receive subsidies on these quotas.
The farm parley apparently was in
tent on speed. 1t named a committee
! OF Is TO prepare rougn ora1t OF a
new program and submit it to the full
body today. The committee worked
late into last night. and broke up with
out an announcement
There was said to be strong Senti-
ment in the conference against seeking
constitutional amendment to validate
such plans as A. A. A.
Amendment Debate Continues.
However, debate over amendments
went on elsewhere. Senator Norris.
Republican, of Nebraska, declaring the
Supreme Courts A. A. A. decision has
absurd consequences" suggested the
court be required to reach unanimity
before it strikes down a law.
On the other hand, Representative
WadSworth, Republican, of New York
challenged President Roosevelt to seek
an amendment. saying any such at
tempt would meet defeat by IAN
enormous majority" of the people.
A brain trust" may be called on
(See AGRICULTURE, Page 81