Evening star., 1936-11-17
Considers SeIf-Registration
System to Count JobIess.
Cites Simplicity and Econ
omy of Scheme.
COMMITTEE TO STUDY
PROBLEMS OF TENANCY
Will Seek Means to Alleviate
Shortcomings of Farmers Under
Program-Gray, Resettlement
Official, Named Technical Di-
rector of Body.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
President Roosevelt disclosed today
he was considering a system of count
ing the unemployed by method Of
self registration.
At his press conference, the Presi-
dent also announced appointment of
large committee of farm leaders.
editors and others to study and report
by February on the most promising
ways of alleviating the shortcomings
of the farm tenancy system" Secre-
tary Wallace heads the committee.
The President made Known the un-
employment census plans before leav-
ing tonight for Buenos Aires, where he
will address the opening session De-
cember / of the Inter-American Peace
Conference.
Asked to comment on the proposal
OF Harry L. Hopkins, works progress
administrator, that such a census be
taken. the President said the subject
was being studied and undoubtedly
something would come out of it.
Cites Value of Plan.
He said the self registration plan
toward which he was working per-
sonally would be much simpler and
cheaper than door-to-door canvass.
The latter method, he added, would
soon become out of date and necessi-
tate frequent periodic canvasses.
L. c. Gray, assistant resettlement
administrator, was designated execu-
tive secretary and technical director of
the committee to study farm tenancy.
In a letter to Secretary Wallace,
the President cited what he called q
continued increase in farm tenancy
IN the last so years as Significant
evidence that we have fallen far
short Of achieving the traditional
American ideal Of owner-operated
farms"
The number of tenant farmers. he
said, had increased steadily since 1880
and added this growth had been fire.
quently associated with soil depletion
and declining living standards"
The special committee, working
under the general auspices of the
National Resources Committee. was
given the task of developing a land
tenure system which would bring an
increased measure of security, oppor-
tunity, and well-being" to farm
tenants.
Urged to Consult Leaders.
The committee was urged to consult
leaders in State and national affairs,
including Senator Bankhead, Demo-
crat, Of Alabama and Chairman JOINTS
of the House Agriculture Committee,
who have been active in pressing farm
tenant legislation.
The text of the Presidents letter to
Secretary Wallace follows:
Il am writing to ask you to serve
as chairman of a special committee
which will make report to me not
later than February on long-term
program of action to alleviate the
shortcomings of our farm tenancy
system.
Il am anxious that we thoroughly
examine and report on the most prom
Using ways of developing land-tenure
system which will bring an increased
measure of security, opportunity and
well-being to the great group of pres
Ont and prospective farm tenants.
THE rapid increase of tenant farm
ers during the past half century is
significant evidence that we have
fallen far short of achieving the ira
ditional American ideal of owner
operated farms.
THE growing insecurity of many
(See CENSUS, Page A-20