Evening star., 1938-10-01
SMITH IS DENIED
COTTON AID HIKE
AFTER 'SNUBb|NG'
Plea at Agriculture Fails
After President Refuses
to Give Audience,
HIGHER LOANS ASKED
BY U. S. ON WHEAT ALSO
South Carolinian and George Both
Criticize Departments Attitude
on Request.

Oh AeVQuCSIs
Carrying his appeal to the Agricul-
ture Department after being denied
An audience with President Roosevelt,
Senator Smith, Democrat, of South
Carolina today was informed by ad-
ministration farm executives that they
were unable to grant requests for ad-
ditlonal subsidies on this years cut
ton crop or higher Government loans
on cotton and wheat.
Harry L. Brown, Assistant Secre-
tary Of Agriculture, and Jesse w. Tapp,
acting Agricultural Adjustment Ad-
mlnistrator. told Senator Smith. who
Is chairman of the Senate Agriculture
COMMITTEE, and a group of other Sen
ators that they were sympathetic with
The plight Of the cotton farmer. but
unable to act under present legisla-
ton.
While Mr.. Brown was explaining
Me Agriculture Departments reasons
Tor liking this years cotton crop at
'.3 cents pound instead of IL cents
plus asked by Southern Senators.
Chairman Smith interrupted.
We are not going to solve this by
tandlng around and raising our eye
'rows,' the veteran Senator said.
We are up against the American
armer."
Mr. Brown, serving as spokesman
or Secretary Wallace. who was out
+ the city, broke in with:
I hope you don't think the De-
'artment of Agriculture is against
he farmer"
Il sometimes do" Senator Smith
replied quickly. Lets call a spade
spade, and not damned old shovel"
George Criticizes Department.
Senator George, Democrat, of
Georgia. who, like Chairman Smith,
was a Democrat primary victor de-
spite opposition from President Roose-
Velt. said he thought that department
omcials had given TOO little attention
to the fundamental intent of Con-
gress," by fixing cotton loans near the
minimum possible under the farm
act.
Earlier today. Stephen T. Early. sec
retary to the President, told tsporters
that Mr.. Roosevelt was prevented from
receiving Senator Smith and the
tarm delegation yesterday because of
pressing previous engagements, which
demanded his attention throughout
esterday afternoon.
The White House "snub" was deliy-
red when Senator Smith sought a
caring in behalf of several Democratic
MEMBERS of Congress from the South
nd Southwest and group of cotton
rowers.
Engaged in cabinet meeting, the
resident could not be reached to fix
time for the meeting, Senator Smith
vas told. After three hours word came
hat the President could not see the
1sitors, and Senator Smith, indignant,
eft the White House.
L have been here with five Presi-
ients preceding the present one: I
never was refused an audience, and I
never was asked what my business was
oefore this" he angrily told reporters
later.
Asked if he wished to be quoted, he
shouted:
Hell yes. do! Why not?"
Presidents Time Filled.
Mr.. Early said the first word the
White House had received from Sem
ator Smith was at 12:40 pm. yes
terday, when he telephoned a request
Tor an immediate appointment to con-
'er on cotton prices. The Senator.
Mr.. Early explained, advised the White
House he had assembled at the Capitol
meeting of Senators, Representatives
md farm leaders who wished to see
he President at once.
At that time, the secretary said Mr..
Roosevelt was in conference with F. F..
Hi. governor of the Farm Credit Ad-
nlnistration, and shortly thereafter
secretary Hull arrived for a luncheon
ppolntment. Immediately after that
he President and Mr.. Hull met for
ne regular caginet meeting, which did
lot adjourn until 4:3O pm. Several
aolnet members remained after the
1eeting for individual conferences
nth the President.
physically Impossible"
Mr.. Early said it would have been
hysically impossible for the Presi-
snt to have received the delegation
Mess he had adjourned the cabinet
leetins. He emphasized the same
'eatment would have been accorded
ny Senator who had called at that
our to request an immediate audi
nee. The Presidents appointments
re made before 10 am. each day. he
Explained.
The effort to see the President came
fter the meeting, called by Senator
mith, had brought together cotton
rowers from South Carolina, Georgia,
labama and Texas, and Senators
'eorge and Russell. Georgia; Bilbo
nd Harrison. Mississippi; Clark,
lissouri; Reynolds, North Carolina; :;
'homas, Oklahoma, and Representa-
YES Rankin of Mississippi and Spark
ian Of Alabama.
Ihey agreed unanimously to ask for
icreased loans, voted to request an
Immediate audience with the Presi-
ent. and Senator Smith left the
1eeting to call the White House.
When word came that the President
ould not be able to see the group, it
as coupled with the suggestion that
aey talk to Assistant Secretary Brown
nd Mr.. Tapp.
Discussion at the meeting yesterday
1dlcated strong support for inflation-
~ moves to bolster farm purchasing
over.
Representative Rankin urged the
cup TO adopt resolution calling on
ie President to issue additional cur.
ney against the gold reserve until
tton prices had reached 1s cents =
,und. 0 "
II