Evening star., 1940-09-27

made little effort to expand the
domestic market that still exists.
Yet this would be a practical line
along which to work
Since points the way to greater
utilization of farm crops. 1t will be
by policy to develop new industries
as rapidly as possible which will in
crease both farm and national in
come. The Department of Agri-
culture should expand its studies
on the marketing and distribution
of farm products. We should en-
courage every effort to reduce
the cost of transporting farm
products to market, including Fed
eral aid for the construction of
farm -to-market roads Cooperative
marketing should be given renewed
attention and encouragement. The
marketing agreement program which
has operated successfully in con-
nection with the marketing OF dairy
products and fresh fruits and vege-
tables. and which was supported al
most unanimously by Republican
members of Congress. should be con-
tinued. And as long as We have our
present relief and unemployment
problems. we should continue the
policy of distributing surplus COM
modities TO the poor.
The failure of the domestic mar
ket is one root of the present farm
problem The failure of the export
market is another. We are prone
TO blame the New Deal III the first
instance and exonerate it in the
second. We are apt TO accept the
foreign situation as something en-
tirely beyond our control.
Declares Foreign Policy
Weakens Democratic Nations.
But this is not the case. As
pointed out recently in San Fran
cisco. our entire foreign policy. be-
ginning with the London conference
in 1888. has been such as to lnlure
and weaken the democratic nations,
our best customers. This weakening
of the democracieS. and the conse-
quent war that is ravaging them to-
day. has deprived us of an enormous
portion of our foreign markets.
Even in spite of the war, We must
adopt a far-Sighted foreign trade
policy TO take advantage of every
sound opportunity for the restora-
ton of those vital foreign markets.
Such a program may have to be
worked out gradually and the goal
may be far distant. but I pledge that
if l am elected to administer this
government I will take advantage
Of every opportunity to that end.
Meantime We must remember that
there are certain agricultural COM
modities of which We have export
able surpluses. such as wheat and
cotton. the price Of which is fixed
in world markets. 1t is we'll recog-
nized that as long as a part OF these
products 90 into foreign markets at
world prices. industrial recovery, no
matter how complete, will not re-
suit in an adequate and fair price.
Farmers producing such commodl-
ties are in the position Of having TO
buy in a protected American market
and having TO sell in world mar
ket. 1t seems to ME that special
treatment must be accorded these
commodities
This, then, is my farm program
Let us take overland improve If
possible-those elements Of the pres
ent program which are helping the
farmer in his battle against the
contracting economy that the New
Deal has brought about. But let US
not pretend that that program is our
solution. We must 60 10 the roots
of our trouble. BY the application
of the simple laws OF economics We
must expand the domestic market
and the foreign market.
We will try to eliminate dlscrlml-
nation between different areas and
different branches of agriculture.
We will simplify the regulations and
make them easier to understand.
Less Bureaucracy and
More Local Control.
We will have less bureaucracy and
more local control. We will operate
the program so as TO favor the fam
ily-type farm.
We will cut down the cost of ad-
ministration and eliminate unneces-
sary employees.
1t is my purpose to choose as Sec
retary of Agriculture man who
knows agriculture, man who holds
as firmly as I do the absolute con-
viction that our national objectives
for American farmers must be at
tanned.
And now I ask you to turn with
me and face this whole farm prob
lem in the broader, truly American
way, recognizing that. big as it Is
it is but part of our national prob
lem. I ask you all to support me.
in this critical period Of our history,
in this time Of all times when unity
is needed, in bringing every group