Evening star., 1940-08-18
War Expected to
Help Farmers
BIZ Frederic J. HdSkin.

There is widespread interest in national
defense. the employment situation and
the outcome of the national election in
November, but interest in better business
seems paramount. Fortunately, there
seems to be an optimistic trend.
Farmers have been acting as well as
thinking. BY planting time Of the pres
ent year the idea had become pretty gen.
orally accepted that since so many men
in Europe had been called into service.
this country eventually would have to
help feed the nations whose man power
was fighting and not farming. Econ
omists and agricultural experts began to
warn farmers about increasing acreage,
and while the advice seems to have been
taken by some, reports indicate that
farmers generally have reasoned for
themselves, usually individually, and in
many instances planted larger fields Of
crops than in recent years. Bread being
essential in war, there are also indica-
tions that plans are under way for an
unusually large wheat acreage planting
In the approaching autumn.
Although most farmers of today went
through the rise and fall of prices Of
farm products between 1914 and 1919,
and sustained heavy losses as a result of
overplanting and consequent overproduc-
tion, they have been on short rations for
several years, and now seem to reason
that things could not be worse than at
present. So there is said to be tend"
ency to turn to reckless cultivation, al
though lawns and railroad rights of way
may not be turned into truck gardens as
was the case in many instances in the
profitable farming days of the first World
War. 1t was those days that depleted
soil at such a rapid rate, turning much
national alarm and setting the country
on the greatest program of soil conserva-
ton that any nation has ever known.
But still, memories are short and men
are always willing to take risks when
profits are believed to be possible.
OF course, the American farmer under
stands that to sell his surplus to Europe,
there must be credit, and although he
does not set himself up as a credit ex-
pert, he has faith that when people in
one part of the world are in need, and
others have things with which to meet
that need, some purchase plan is usually
worked out. In addition to this reason.
ing, the farmer is economist enough to
know that as nations elsewhere need
more manufactured items, they will turn
to the United States and as this is done,
workmen at home will earn more money
and be able to buy more farm products.
In fact, the farmer knows that he would
not have a surplus if the city dveller
had the money with which to buy more
clothing and food supplies.
Whether or not all this will eventually
work out to the benefit of the farming
class in the United States things now
seem to point in that direction. For one
thing. Germany invaded many countries
during the planting and cultivating sea-
sons, and the result was that thousands
Of farmers left the fields to defend their
country, neglecting their crops, and con.
sequently this loss Of farm labor lowered
yields. Moreover 1t is believed that Ger
many will put into practice its state
farming idea in conquered countries and
that 1t will be several years before this
will have any appreciable effect on crop
production.
Then there have been reports that
invading armies slaughtered large num-
bers of cattle to supplement their food
supply. There have even been reports
that quantities of livestock found in con-
quered countries have been shipped to
there. History records that invaded
countries in all wars have suffered much
in the loss of crops and livestock. Not
only is this historically true, but in all
instances other countries have had to
help supply needs created by such condi-
tions. 1t was out of such a situation
that grew much of the demand for farm
products in Europe during and immedi-
ately after the last war.
On the manufacturing scene the sit
uation is different. Expansion could not
Immediately be made without potential
markets The manufacturer, unlike the
farmer. cannot eventually consume his
surplus in the event sales are not made.
But now it is said the manufacturer sees
signs of better business as result OF
destruction in Europe and need for de-
fense at home
Heavy industries-such as shlpbuild-
Ing. steel making and plane construction
being stimulated first, the manufacture
er of small items sees that eventually
his product will be in demand. To this
end there are many indications that
small enterprises are blueprintins for the
future by checking on personnel and
equipment, and looking into markets for
raw materials Yet the movement is
we'll guarded by caution, the lack Of
which caused heavy losses in 1915 and
1916 when manufacturers generally over
bought in equipment and unfinished
stocks, and in some instances. especially
In technical works, overstaffed their
plants.
One definite sign of an expected up
turn in the manufacturing field is the
increasing demand for skilled labor. Fed
eral relief agencies report so many calls
are being received for experienced work
ers in technical fields that employment
rolls are being carefully checked in an
effort to meet demands from private In
dustry.