Evening star., 1938-12-11

Marketing quota system,
among New Deal efforts to keep
farm prices at reasonable lepel,
has dra1Dn much criticism. espe-
cially from proponents of do
meStic- allotment" plan, dlloDing
unlimited production and en-
couraging foreign "dumping" for
surpluses.
By the Associated Press.
The New Deal scored one victory
and an apparent defeat tonight in
farmer referenda on proposals that
the Federal Government be given
power to regulate sales of the 1899
cotton and flue-cured tobacco crops.
BY top-heavy majorities, cotton
farmers voted to continue in opera
ton marketing quotas which were
invoked this year to keep price
burdening surpluses off the market.
The vote on tobacco quotas Jagged
so far behind the required 662s per
cent majority required that refer
endum officials held little hope for a
favorable outcome.
Incomplete and unofficial returns
from 1856 of the approximately 1,020
counties in l9 States where cotton
farmers balloted gave: For quotas,
100000, and against, about 177,837.
This vote gave percentage of
84.3 in favor of the control system,
compared with 80 per cent cast at
the referendum in March for quotas
on this years crop
With about three -fourths OF the
expected vote reported. returns
from the six ffue-cured tobacco pro-
ducing States gave: For quotas,
l3O,372, and against, 9865S. This
gave a percentage of 56. or more
than 10 per cent short of the nee
essary margin.
This years tobacco quotas were
approved by a majority Of 86 per
cent.
Early and inconclusive returns
from a referendum on rice quotas
showed the control proposal con-
siderably behind the necessary vote.
Legislative Plans Launched.
Administration farm officials
hailed the cotton results as indi-
eating that producers of the South
lands big crop favored continuance
OF the present crop-control law.
| IN hA ho cfc Af la
prepared to launch vigorous cam
paign against substitute plans ex-
pected to be presented to the new
Congress.
A. A. A. officials said approval Of
the proposals would place the ad-
ministration in a strong position to
insist that Congress do little with
existing farm legislation, except to
re-enact processing taxes to provide
more funds for benefit payments.
Rejection of marketing quotats,
coming a month after New Deal
election losses in the Midwestern
farm belt, would put the adminis-
tration in a position where it might
be forced to accept major changes
Ill pOlSN, lllCSC O1llSldlS Sdlu.
Leaders Watch Referenda.
Watching the referenda closely
were such congressional farm lead
ers as Chairman Jones of the House
Agriculture Committee and Senator
Lee, Democrat, of Oklahoma. advo-
cate of substitute domestic al
lotment' farm policy that would
abolish production and marketing
controls and allow farmers to raise
all they desired. This policy would
pledge growers fixed price or in
come on crops consumed in this
country. The surplus would be sold
abroad at world prices.
The Oklahoman intended to push
come of the referenda, but he and
his supporters agreed that rejec-
ton of quotas would be construed
generally as indicating a desire of
farmers for a change in agricul-
tural policies.
At his Office in the Capitol, Chair
man Jones indicated that after the
outcome of the referenda was known
definitely, he would comment on
his committees legislative plans for
the coming session.
Growers Would Be Restricted.
If quotas were approved, cotton
growers would be restricted to the
sale of cotton produced on 27500,-
900 acres to be allotted to them on
the basis of formula prescribed by
the farm law.
The rice quota would be 1874 900
barrels, and the flue-cured tobacco
quota would be 54,240,0O0 pounds.
Sales in excess of quotas would be
(see CROP CONTROL, Page A-7J
|(o%&on Noko