The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-09-16
SEEN and HEARD
around me
NATIONAL CAPITALl
By Carter Field !
FAMOUS WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT

Washington.-Decision to make
innocent loans on cotton, plus the
bonus to those agreeing in advance
to 20 along with next years reduc-
ton in acreage programme be pro-
vided in the special legislation on
which President Roosevelt now has
the congressional leaders hog-tied
on promises-marks the beginning
of the end of cotton growing in the
southeastern states.
The point is very simple. At pres
ent SO per cent of the cotton crop of
the United States, on the average,
is exported. Which means that ii
is sold. naturally, in competition
with cotton from all other parts OF
the world. During the last six years
especially. though there were begin
nings before that, Brazil has been
increasing its cotton production by
leaps and bounds.
Brazil can sell cotton at profit at
six cents. American money, a
pound. During the period of expan-
sion the world price has been held,
largely through American efforts,
at above ten cents. During the first
year or two it was the Hoover farm
board which artificially maintained
the world price Of the staple. Be
fore the shrewd spectators had
bought up huge stocks Of cotton al
the low early depression figures,
and reaped harvest when govern
ment efforts put the price up.
Just as the Soviet government OBJ
tanned an enormous price for its
bumper wheat crop. also in the
Hoover farm board days. by the
simple expedient OF concealing the
fact that Russia had a lot OF wheat
to sell. and selling 1t short in Ameri-
can ENTHUSIASTICALLY to the
farm board-and delivering the ac-
tual wheat later instead Of cover
ing. as Arthur M. Hyde, then sec
rotary OF agriculture. expected.
In each year of AAA reduction
following the farm board period, II
can be ascertained from official fig.
ures--the curtailment of American
exports was almost precisely
matched by increased production ir
the rest OF the world. This was moi
coincidence. 1t did not Just hap
nen.. The world wanted the cotton
and bought 1t elsewhere. 1t would
have bought the cotton from the
United States ii we had produced it
Our own failure to produce 1t en-
couraged the producers of other
countries.
Brazil Takes Lead
Brazil led this parade, but there
we're many other foreign countries
participating, including even the
new Japanese puppet state In NORTH
China.
Remembering this six-cent price
at which Brazil can afford to sci
cotton at profit, the fact seems Il
be-and this based on our own gov
eminent figures that only twt
states in the Union can compete
with such low cost production
These states are Texas and Okla
homa, and there would be plenty O
walls from them If the price drop.
that low.
All Of which points TO the eventua
retiring Of all the southern state.
east of the Mississippi from cottor
production. since it is only a matter
Of time when the export of cottor
will be virtually impossible econom
ically.
This may prove blessing. II
Georgia there is monument to tn,
cotton boll-weevil in a certain
county seat. That county was forcet
by the weevil to turn from cotton II
other crops. including peanuts, AMI
as an unexpected result the count,
flourished as 1t had never done be
fore.
So that II is not impossible tina
the entire South, from North Caro-
lima to Louisiana and Arkansas
may be enormously benefited whel
that section stops raising cotton ant
turns to other crops.
But no one who is really RESPONSE
BILE for what is about to take plac,
is planning any such consumma
toni
Seeking Motive 4
Many critics of the Roosevelt I'D
ministration and the New Deal gen
orally have been critical of bot
because OF the attitude of the pow
ers that be against Andrew w. Mel
| Ion. Since his death there hav
been more vocal demonstrations @
this than usual-more seeking TO
the motive that inspired the al
tacks.
Most of the ascribed explanation
miss the truth by mile. First
there was nothing personal in il
Second, there was no particular dc
sire to discredit the Hoover admin
istration. This last may sound far
tastic, but the simple truth is that
James A. Farley and Charles Mich
elson could have accomplished jus
what they wanted by propagand
directed to Republicans last year
they would have nominated Herbei