The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-09-22
Secretary Wallace Appeals
To Farmers

ary effort of the Department OF
Agriculture, together with all other
branches of the Administration, Will
be to keep this country out OF war.
Secondary to that will be the eff
fort to protect American farmers
and consumers as fully as possible
against the effects of war abroad.
War causes economic repercus-
sioiis in all countries. 1t is only ma
tural, therefore, that our farmers
at this moment are considering
whether they should modify their
production plans to meet the new
situation.
urge American farmers to pro-
coed with their production plans as
il the outbreak in Europe had not
occurred. American agriculture Is IN
a much better position to meet the
shock of war than it was twenty
five years ago. AS we have kept
pointing out the very machinery
which farmers have used to adjust
production to the decreased demand
of peace time can be used in war
time to increase production If and
when that becomes advisable.
Some farmers, remembering high
war time prices, may wish to dis
continue cooperation in their farm
program in order to expand the
acreage of wheat and other crops.
would remind them that the aver
age prices of wheat, corn, hogs and
beef were lower year after the
World War started than they were
in 1914. The course Of prices for
the months just ahead may not fol-
low the pattern of 1914 and 1915.
But the present supply of cotton,
wheat, corn, meat animals and other
commodities is large. There is little
likelihood that any substantial In
crease in production of the major
crops will be desirable, certainly
not in the immediate future. In any
case the need for increases in sup
plies can be anticipated in ample
time to make any necessary increase
in acreages. The production of large
quantities of agricultural commod-
tiles for which there is no satisfac-
tory market could prove just as de-
moralizing in war time as in peace
time. I would remind American
farmers that the loans which are
part of the Ever-Normal Granary are
available right now to prevent price
collapses. They can prevent such a
disaster to farmers. as befell cotton
growers, for example in 1914-15.
Today we have a Commodities
Exchange Act. In 1914 no such
powers were available for protect
ing producers and the public from
excessive market fluctuations and
harmful speculation.
Since 1893, in contrast to the
World War period, farmers in al
most every county in the United
States have organized themselves for
quick action in dealing with prob
lens of production, of conservation,
of credit, and of rural welfare.
These farmer groups, democratical-
ly elected to help carry on the Agrl-
cultural Adjustment Administration,
the Farm Security Administration,
the Soil Conservation Service, the
Bureau Of Agricultural Economics
all working in cooperation with the
State Extension Service-have had
invaluable experience and training.
Whatever the demand upon agricul-
ture, the organized groups Of farm
ers now in existence can move swift
~, in cooperation with the Govern
ment, to deal with them. For ex-
ample, the Triple A committees are
equipped to act quickly to bring
about either an increase or decrease
in production, and to administer
whatever program of action is call
ed for.
Not only are we organized better
in the field of production, we have
also gained valuable experience and
improved organization in the mar
keting field. The marketing pro-
grams for milk, fruits and vegeta-
bles, the purchase and distribution
program, and the food stamp plan
can meet the needs ahead much bet
ter than they were met in 1914.
There can now be better planning,
more effective farmer cooperation,
and more efficient results in what
ever action has to be taken.
These facts must convience farm
ers it will be possible to meet all
demands for farm products, that it
will be possible to avoid an over-ex-
pansion of our farm plant such as
occurred during the World War
period, and that it will be possible
to cushion the shocks of the read
justment which will be inevitable If
the present conflict continues over
any lengthy period and on any large
scale.
So, again, I urge farmers not to
be swayed by the developments over
seas. Their greatest contribution
right now to their own welfare and
the national welfare Is to carry on
Just as before.