The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-12-24

ference which closed here Wednes-
day included an address by n. :.
Goode, Alabama Commissioner Of
Agriculture, the presentation Of Ger
tificates of merit to four out-stand-
ing Negro farmers, and an address
by President r. ID. Patterson in
which he said that this nation Cam
not permanently prosper without the
prosperity Of the agricultural South
and the South cannot prosper with
out the support and participation Of
the Negro farmer"
Resolutions Adopted
Resolutions adopted by the con-
ference endorsed the ohjectives Of
pending farm legislation in congress
which seeks to balance production
with demand, provide parity income
for the farmer and establish some
form Of an ever-normal granary.
''In order, however, for these OBJ
iectives to be attained the resolu--
tions said, certain items in the bill
provide for crop control, marketing
quotas and other regulatory pro-
cedures. This conference respect
fully petitions the congress to pro
vide such safeguards in these regu-
lations as will prevent unfair local
interpretations Of the law towards
those small farmers who, through
lack of education or local traditions,
may not be able freely to speak in
their own behalf
Federal programs to aid the farm
er were commended and apprecia--
ton was expressed for the appoint
ment of Negro field workers for such
agencies as the Triple A, the Farm
Security administration, and the
Farm Credit administration. Fol-
lowing a recommendation that this
Negro personnel be increased in
order To reach more Negro farmers
the resolutipns Respectfully" Pc
titioned the administrators of these
agencies to provide Negro repre-
sentation in their local administra-
tive offices. especially IN those com
munities where Negroes comprise the
larger part Of the community popu-
lation."
Other recommendations included
s.some broad-scale, rural works pro-
gram to provide employment for
farm laborers during otf-season" as
a measure to reduce unemployment
and relieve the pressure Of migra--
ton to the cities. =
Negro farmers were urged to con-
tinue the Live Home Program
to join community study and cooper
ative groups and to support local,
county and state farm organiZa-
tions." The agricultural conseva-
ton program was highly endorsed
and Negro farmers urged Ito CO.
operate with this program to con-
serve our greatest natural resource
the soil--and, with the assistance
Of extension workers and specialists
from land grant colleges, to study
the soil on their own farms for
closer check on crop adaptation and
land use.v
Programs for human better
ment." said the resolutions, ARE re-
ceiving serious consideration more
than ever before in the history of our
nation. Thus, while the Old World
is confused and torn with conflict.
America has the chahce to show
how one great nation can devote it,
self to the higher ideas of service
and ideals Of right and justice" ]"
The Committee on Resolutions in
cluded: DR.. George L. Haynes, New
York; David MARROW, Butler County,
Ala; s. P. Ruffin, Choetaw County,
Ala; Il. u. Phinazee, Burke County,
Ga; Mrs. Nancy L. Doggins, ITALIA
dega County, Ala; 0. L. Walker,
Lee County, Ala; and Mrs. Bette
Foster, Clarke County, Ala.
Certificates of Merit
Since 1916, Tuskegee has present
ed Certificates of merit to select
ed Negro farmers in the Southern
States The bases of these awards
are Operation and organization OF
their farms, business methods em--
ployed, appearance Of the farm and
home, their home life, civic pride
and good citizenship"
The awards this year were made
to d. A. Miles, Newberry, Fla; R.
L. Williams, Elloree, Sc; Harold
Thompson, Augusta, Ca, and Grant
Moss, Notasulga, Ala.
Commissioner Goode Speaks
j. B. Ivey, poultry specialist from
Auburn, was principal speaker at the
morning session IN Logan hall. A
lively discussion followed this adj
dress. In the absence Of President
Patterson at the afternoon session,
Alvin ]. Neely, dean Of men, pre-
sided. r. NJ. Campbell, Negro Ex-
tension specialist, was asked to pre-
sent Commissioner Goode.
'T honestly wish,'' said Mr..
Goode, 'sthat state lines in this
Southeastern Section OF the Country