Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1936-05-28
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strip cropping and following command
about $1.00 an acre Of benefit to the
farmer while terracing will be paid
for around the basis of $500 or $500
an acre.
Other states, as they are brought I'M
der the soil conservation program, may
expect rates similar to these for the
however, that in the more thickly pop
ulated areas where agriculture is car
ried on in a more concentrated way,
new and different practices must be
prescribed. 1t is certain, also, that
these practices must be made to take
into account the varying types of crops
where farming Is done on smaller
acreage per farm or in the fruit and
truck garden areas.
From this program, two sets Of con-
illusions have been drawn. One school
of thought main
OPInl0nS tains that the regu-
Differ lations are simple
and easy of enforce
ment; the other group argues that it
is utterly impossible to apply rules
and regulations, administered from a
central bureau in Washington, to the
whole country and yet enable fexibil-
ity of management sufficient to meet
the countless problems that will arise.
One conclusion is that by admins
tration Of the rules and regulations
through state and county organiza-
lions and with the aid of state expert
ment stations, individual farmers can
be advised and can work out their in
dividual problems with ease. The other
school Of thought contends that this
very fact means a perfect maze Of diff
ferent applications Of the rules and
regulations both as to language and
intent; this group likewise maintains
that favoritism will permeate the whole
structure and that there will be injus-
tice. i'll will and politics in the way the
local organizations deal with the
farmers.
While the policy makers in the mar
BILE palace known as the Department
of Agriculture contend that the soil
conservation program will spell the
end Of SURPRISES and will accomplish
better prices for what the farmers pro-
duce, another argument stresses the
claim that the new program means dis
location of agricultural output and the
market to which that output normally
goes.
To go back year or more, It can be
recalled how the original AAA upset
the apple cart for one after another
of the farm crops. When land was
withdrawn from cotton, it went to to-
bacco production and there was too
much tobacco. There had to be tobacco
control When land was withdrawn
from tobacco production, 1t went to
peanuts and there had to be peanut
control. And so 1t was with various
other crops until there was a perfect
network of crop control each, basical-
ly, working at something like cross
purpose with other things.
AS the new soil conservation plans
unfold, those who doubt their efficacy
point to numerous
EtH0 NetO new dislocations that
OiSL0c0tfOnS are comparable to
those of the old AAA
which have just enumerated. For ex-
ample, 1t Is claimed, and there seems
to be Justice in the claim, the placing
or premium on growth of hay crops
such as alfalfa, alsike and clover. can
mean only an Overabundance of those
crops. I do not say that it is certain
to occur but If conditions repeat them
selves, the prices for hay crops in the
market are due to fall. The law of
supply and demand still governs re-
CARELESS Of theory and regardless of
the attempts Of bureaucrats to plan
which the farmer shall or shall not
grow. If world consumption falls low
crops Of hay will be valuable. The
chances, however, seem to be wholly
In the other direction.
Time alone can tell how this thing
VIII work out but cannot believe anv
sound-thinking person or any person
who analyses the program through to
Its ultimate end can say that it is free
from weaknesses. The tragedy of the
thing is that government is experi-
menting on the farmers. With that I
am not In accord and never can be.
Further, while dislike to .disparage
honest efforts, am afraid the new
soil conservation program embodies
some politics as well as efforts to helm
agriculture.
II 1t were purely critical report of
the soil conservation policies that 7
am making to you, would be inclined
to add to the above analysis the as.
sertion that these plans embody too
much organization. have observed
government administration from close
at hand through a number of Years.
There Is one conviction that I have
gained. That conviction Is that every
time a new policy is proposed that re.
quires the scattering of government
paid administrators, executives. field
agents, inspectors and countless other
nomadic individuals, clothed with of1-
cial authority, throughout the country
Just then does the policy fail of its
purpose. Many hands may make light