Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-09-15
UNITED STATES SENATOR


AS I pause in swing across the
State to dictate this column, it is be-
coming more and more evident that
the effort to draft new farm legisla-
ton when Congress convenes will be
marked by sharp controversy over
whether there shall be direct SUBJ
sides to agriculture or production
control. Each of the two plans has
many supporters. The action of the
agriculture commissioners from ten
Southern states in approving the sub
sidy idea is significant.
Those opposed to production con-
troll content, and with merit to their
contentious, that weather and pest
conditions cannot be controlled and
enter strongly into the situation. They
argue that if there is production con-
troll, drought or heavy rainfall, pests
or some other emergency can wipe
out all the gains made through crops
shortages. Moreover, it is always diff
ficult to get all farmers to agree to
production control
In industry, it is claimed, when
some industrial plants are faced with
a showdown in production, others
speed-up and take advantage of that
situation. The same hold true for agri-
culture and in many cases production
control does not work evenly.
The tour of members of the Senate
Committee on Agriculture through
the farm belts will undoubtedly de-
velop much information as to what
the farmers want. One suggestion al
IN
ton, is that the price Ee pegged with
regard to domestic consumption and
that the surplus to dumped into the
world markets. 1t is rightly claimed
that to carry through such a plan
would require tariff changes to pre-
vent an influx of cheap goods from
abroad made from the dumped"
American cotton.
Many veteran Senators who have
spent years with the problems of agri-
culture always in their mind, are
strongly opposed to production con-
troll. T
In fact, the disagreement over pro-
duction control as proposed in Admin
iStration measures introduced at the
last session of Congress had much to
do with preventing the enactment of
a new farm program But in the end
the law will probably be framed on
the basis of what the farmers them
selves and the leaders of farm organ
izations want. To ascertain this is the
purpose of the field studies of the
Senate Committee
Many Congressional leaders recog-
nize that with a short session general
ly favored, due to the 1888 elections,
it would be extremely difficult to
start in on what is, generally describ-
ed as tariff tinkering' This fact
alone, some contend, may help swing
support toward production control for
the present, with more, permanent leg
islation to be drafted later.
Tariff anges-despite the fact
that there is a great need for better
protection for the farmer-have al
ways been one of the most controver-
sial legislative questions. Thus to
open tariff debate in the next session,
along with the prospects of new tax
legislation, might throw Congress into
muddle worse than that of the last
session.
However one thing now seems GER
tain. When Congress convenes, wheth-
er in special or regular session, a
farm program will be ready. It is not
inconceivable that a compromise of
some fashion will be reached tetween
those who oppose production control
and those who favor this method of
meeting the farm situation Some dis
satisfaction over the innocent loan
on cotton may have an influence on
any new farm bill :.
From the standpoint of the farmer,
these controversies are hopeful signs.
They mean that there is real interest
in the farm problem and that it is
daily winning more attention. And
there is agreement that the farmer
cannot have any assurance of econo-
mic stability as conditions are today.