Evening star., 1936-07-19

farmers at work on w. =. a. projects,
Gov. Walter Wexford of North Dakota
voiced need for more aid. In letter
to United States Senator Gerald P.
Nye he suggested that the Federal
Government free the farmer from his
heavy burden of old debts. The Gov
ernor said 80 per cent of these were
controlled by Uncle Sam in loans.
In the corn belt, the picture was
frightened by the rain. Corn growers
in Iowa, the heart Of the belt. re-
ported deterioration of the crop halted
by cloudy skies.
Government drought relief officials
in Washington moved yesterday to
increase emergency employment in
distressed areas of the Great Plains
States and to conserve all forage
available for live stock.
W.P. A. Job Quotas Raised.
Aubrey Williams, deputy admins
traitor, announced that the Works
Progress Administration employment
quotas in the Western drought areas
had been raised from $4,000 to $1,000.
The increase brings the total of jobs
to $4,000 in North Dakota, 5000 In
South Dakota. 5000 in Montana, 5000
in Wyoming and 5000 in Minnesota.
At the same time reports were re-
ceived here that approximately $4,000
farmers had been given W. p. A. en-
ployment during the week in those
| five States.
The departmental Drought
Committee studied further revision Of
soil conservation compliance practices
to embrace the entire Western area
producing forage as nurse crops for
soil-conserving crops. officials said
all Western farmers participating in
the soil conservation program will be
allowed to cut for hay any grain or
other straw-producing crop grown as
cover for legumes.
That privilege previously was
granted farmers in officially designated
drought counties, without penalty to
prospective Government awards for
soil conservation practices. The order
extending it to the entire region was
expected to be signed the first Of next
week.
Western Senators Irked.
Two Western Senators, irked At
what they called "dilatory tactics"
called upon national live stock and
farm associations to urge railroads
serving Western drought areas TO re-
duce freight rates on live stock feed
at once.
Senator Wheeler, Democrat, Of
Montana, returning from Europe, in
structed his Office to make the sug-
gestion to the National Live Stock
Association, the Farmers Union, the
National Grange and the American
Farm Bureau Federation.
Senator O'Mahoney, Democrat. of
wyoming, asked stockmen to appeal
directly to the railroads.
As a guide to farmers intentions to
plant, the Bureau Of Agricultural
Economics announced q forthcoming
series Of outlook statements for
certain major farm products affected
by the drought and other factors.
Reports would be released on the
poultry outlook on July "A, the bu-
reau said; the dairy outlook on July
20, live stock on August 8 and wheat
on August IA.
Reports to Provide Facts.
The reports proposed to cover the
current supply, demand and price sit
uation with q view to providing q
background Of facts for farmers as
an aid to them in developing their
future production and marketing pro-
grams.
With q broad program Of water
conservation getting under way in
Western drought States, Howard o.
Hunter, assistant w. P. A. admins
traitor in charge Of drought opera
tions, told farmers and live stock
owners that his agency was without
authority to drill wells on private
property or for private use.
The statement, Hunter said, was
made In reply to scores Of appeals on
behalf Of farmers in areas where an
acute water shortage has developed.
He added, however, that w. p. A.
could meet the needs Of drought areas
through projects providing for i'm
proved public water supply, with res
ervoirs and other facilities on public