Evening star., 1940-09-27
Glad to Have McNary
As His Running Mate.

l regard myself AS most fortunate
In having as my running mate Sen
ator McNary. who for more than 20
years has been great leader in the
fight for agricultural equality. There
Is no man in whom the farmers of
America have more confidence, or
who is more deserving of that con-
fidence 1t shall be my purpose. if
elected, to avail myself OF his ability
and experience. And III the course
Of this campaign Senator McNary
will undertake full discussions of
the major phases OF our task.
Fundamentally. the farm problem
arises out of the fact that our farm
population. comprising "a per cent
OF our total population. receives only
IL per cent of our national income.
This basic lack of balance has
caused a growing volume of discus
sion and legislation. eliminating in
the Agricultural Adjustment Act of
1888. This act embodied ideas which
has been widely discussed in both
political parties and by farm Lead
ers. Its announced purposes were
to reduce burdensome surpluseS, ad-
just the supply of agricultural prod
ucts TO demand. and bring agrlcul-
tural prices and income to parity.
These purposes still constitute our
national farm policy. That policy is
established. 1t is not a partisan
issue. There must be no abandon
ment Of it. America can never go
back to the situation in which agrl-
culture. because of the ignorance
of both parties, was treated as a
step-chlld.
That l say as TO the policy. The
policy of Government action to cor
rect unbalance. to make and pre-
serve agriculture full partner in
America. is written into laws, is
approved by both parties. There
II must stand.
But We all understand that the
policy is one thing and programs
are another. Programs have 10 be
measured and re-measured, studied
and re-studled. revised and i'm
proved constantly. with a view to
making them work and to meeting
new conditions.
A set Of programs is in operation.
Even as to the programs l take no
narrow or partisan attitude. I see
IN them honest purposes. some real
values, and various points from
which we must proceed
Questions Are Raised
About Farm Propramx
Nevertheless We cannot assume
that programs designed 10 achieve
the aims OF a policy are in them
selves sacred. And certainly there
are fair questions to be raised about
present farm programs. 1 do not
believe that their most ardent sup
porters would contend that they
have reached. or even come within
striking distance, of their objec-
tives.
There are however, certain i'm
portant programs which seem to
contribute to the realization of the
oblectives that We want. Subject
TO improvements. I therefore pro-
pose 10 continue them. They can be
enumerated briefly as follows:
First and foremost: Let me put
the soil conservation program. The
conservation of natural resources
Is not partisan issue No party can
claim copyright on il l propose
that the present program be con-
tlnued and strengthened. And l
propose that. 10 a greater extent
than heretofore genuine conserva-
ton practices be made the basis for
benefit payments.
Second: Commodity loans. despite
eome inherent dangers. should be
retained until some better method Of
assisting farmers TO finance their
surpluses can be worked out.
Everyone knows that within lin
It's surpluses are not only unavoid-
able. but beneficial in assuring con-
sumers Of an adequate supply under
olI cop6it ions EverV I,rodIlcer and