The Washington times., 1936-09-07

depend on local conditions, for
these vary with annual rainfall,
soil characteristics, altitude and
topography. Water and soil con-
Servation methods may differ in
one county from those in an ad-
joining county. Work to be done
in the cattle and sheep country
differs in type from work in the
wheat country or work in the corn
belt.
The Great Plains Drought Area
Committee has given me it's pre-
liminary recommendations for a
long time program for that region.
Using that report as a basis we
are cooperating successfully and
in entire accord with the COVER
norS and State planning boards.
AS we get this program into op-
GRAFTON the people more and more
will be able to maintain them
selves securely on the land. That
will mean a steady decline in the
relief burdens which the Federal
Government and States have had
to assume in time of drought; but,
more important, it will mean a
greater contribution to general ma
tional prosperity by these regions
which have been hit by drought.
1t will conserve and improve not
only property values. but human
values. The people in the drought
area do not want to be dependent
on Federal, State or any other
kind Of charity. They want for
themselves and their families an
opportunity to share fairly by
their own efforts in the progress
Of America.
Looks Back to 1892
The farmers of America want a
sound national agricultural policy
in which a permanent land use
program will have an important
place. They want assurance
against another year like 1882
when they made good crops but
had to sell them for prices that
meant ruin just as surely as did
the drought. Sound policy must
maintain farm prices in good
crop years as well as in bad crop
years. It must function when we
have drought; it must also func-
ton when we have bumper crops.
The maintenance of a fair
equilibrium between farm prices
and the prices of industrial prod.
uctS is an aim which we must keep
ever before us, just as we must
give constant thought to the Suf-
ficiency Of the food supply Of the
nation even in bad years. Our
modern civilization can and should
devise a more successful means
by which the excess supplies Of
bumper years can be conserved
for use in lean years.
Gratified by Work
In my trip I have been deeply
impressed with the general eff
cheney Of those agencies of the
Federal, State and local govern
ments which have moved in on the
lmmedlaCe task created by the
drought. In 1884 none of us had
preparation; we worked without
blue prints and made the mistakes
of inexperience. Hindsight shows
us this. But as time has gone on
we have been making fewer and
fewer mistakes. Remember that
the Federal and State govern
ments have done only broad plan
ming. Actual work on a given
project originates in the local
community. Local needs are listed
from local information. Local
projects are decided on only after
obtaining the recommendations
and help Of those in the local com.
munity who are best able to give
it. And it is worthy of note that
on my entire trip, though l asked
the question dozens of times, l
heard no complaint against the
character of a single works relief
project.
The elected heads Of the States
concerned, together with their