Evening star., 1938-07-17


unanimity on causes and cures, al
though majority said tariffs and
regional freight rates should be re-
duced.
DR.. S. NJ Derrick, University Of
South Carolina economist, made no
direct reference to the Presidents
statement, but said national pros
perity is impossible as long as
you have an area as large as the
Southeast with low wealth and low
income"
He suggested a flve-point program
which included downward revision Of
the tariff and parity" for the South
in freight rates.
Dean Edgar H. johnson Of the
School of Business Administration OF
Emory University said undoubtedly
the high tariff works q hardship on
the South" and favored Federal sub
sidy for education.
Truman C. Bigham, professor o.
economics at the University of Flor
ida and president of the Southern
Economic Association, found the
Presidents proposals highly COM
mendable" and advocated reduction
of freight rates as the first step toward
rehabilitation.
New Industries Needed.
E. ]. Eberiing, professor of econom-
les at Vanderbilt University, cited de-
tailed data to establish the South's
economic backwardness and concluded
ito reorganize the present economy
of the South, new industries and new
occupations must be planned and Or
ganized," He added that the Presi-
dents letter will have served a very
useful purpose if it stimulates further
research"
DR.. G. W. Forster, agricultural
economist at North Carolina State
College said Mr.. Roosevelt's No. l"
designation was obviously for the
purpose of emphasis but readily ad-
mitted the need for changes in the
South.
He Joined others in condemning the
protective tariff, but said State-im-
posed trade barriers also were doing
vast damage to normal economic pro-
cesses, citing taxation aimed by various
States at other States products.
w. E. Garnett, Virginia Polytechnic
Institute sociologist, said his studies
confirm the Presidents statement
that the South is the Nations number
one economic problem" He pointed
to human erosion" as the result of
"overpopulation, low incomes and
marginal standards of living"
william johnson. Little Rock tArk)
writer and economist, said "the Presi-
dents view of the South's economic
problem is admirable in its sympa-
thetic tone and sided with those
blaming high tariffs and freight diff
ferentials for the sectional disadvarl-
tages. ---l-----
Charles w. pipkin, professor Of
comparative government at louisiana
State untyersity, found sound sand
fundamental suggestions for a me-
tionaT policy in xegard TO the South
in Presfdefit Rooseveltsssviews. -
Heesaeraede 9th others that 20
strictly regid approach or solution
is ppssibte's Aisa concluded: Is.
@The South today is penalizedy in
low bargaining ability, unfair freight
rates and Inadequate representation in
national affairs, with the result that
the, whole national economy Is jeop-
ardized"
DR., Charles W. williams. head OF
the economics department of the Uni
versity of Louisville, was in sub
stantial agreement with the main
theme of the economic unbalance Of
the South" but said he saw "a great
deal of difficulty in getting away from
the one-crop system and the absentee
landlord system"
Expansion of some Industries is un-
doubtedly desirable, but as I see it it
will be difficult to expand with a high
wage level = = ="
Rehabilitation Program.
Dr. Derricks five-point program for
rehabilitation:
Il. Modification of the tariff rates
downward. The high protective tariffs
have for years exacted heavy tribute
from Southern people.
90 Continuation of the policy of
subsidizing agriculture to Offset the
disadvantage to agriculture imposed by
the tariff
49, Continued and increased Federal
expenditures for soil and forest con-
servation.
"a. Adjustment of freight rates to
put the South on parity with other
areas.
"5 Federal support OF education.
I'm making wage adjustments in the
Nation, national authorities must
recognize it costs as much to live In
the South as in the North"
Dean johnson said in part:
lo1. I.->