Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-03-11
Ais Not
So Peaceful
In Farming
Centralized Federal Rule
Rouses RumbIinos
BY PAUL MALL0N

the WnOle1pdTleu CO-OpeTdllNe
democracy of the farm program
in his broadcast to the hundreds
of country dinners rejoicing at
the eighth birthday of the AAA.
You would not have believed
an objection had been made by
any one anywhere. Farmers con-
-eeired the program, he said and
farmers administered il. But
right at this point, as his voice
came over the air. little static
seemed 10 develop.
1t was no doubt due to the
FRACTIONAL electricity generated
by American Farm Bureau Off
Gals pacing the carpets and
tearing their hair in front of
their radio receiving sets. For
it was only last December that
this largest of the three farm
unions complained in its Balti-
more convention about the AAA
Setup being undemocratic.
The farm bureau said farm
ers do not want numerous
agents consulting them on farm
programs" They do not
want such duplication of effort
as AAA represented. The bureau
demanded that the program be
given back to state and local
extension organizations.
CINCE then it has been trying
~ to get some Democratic con-
gressmen to propose a bill for a
five-man non-partisan board to
administer AAA, crop insurance,
soil conservation, surplus mar
keting, stamp plan, Commodity
Credit Corporation. etc, within
the federal agriculture depart
ment. This board would run the
program through the extension
services of the land grant COL
leges-but probably never will
because no Democratic legislator
has dared to step forward
against the administration 10
champion the idea.
Mr.. Roosevelt's agriculture de-
partment has been fighting the
farm bureaus plan - for one
reason - because many of the
state administrations are now in
the hands of Republicans. 1t
would mean letting Republicans
handle { @ program in some
localities. When Mr.. Roosevelt
spoke of the fruits of democracy
he obviously did not intend them
to be eaten by Republicans.
Another objection is founded
on the theory that a strong CEN
tralized federal control is neceS-
Sary for the success of the
Democratic program.
TIIIS unhappy falling-out of
L the two old political play
mates, the farm bureau and the
agriculture administration. is
traced by rail-sitters here back
to four days before election.
Earle Smith, president of the H.
linoiS Agricultural Association,
most powerful agency of the
farm bureau. wrote a letter
then which suggested. not very
clearly yet at the same time too
clearly. that he was supporting
Willkie.
Before this. the farm bureau
showed some resentment when
the AAA insisted that county
agents divorce themselves from
the local farm bureaus and fall
in line with the AAA. In some
states county agents actually
collected dues for the farm bu-
reau in a sort of government
check-off arrangement. AAA
broke up some of this. A DEM
ocratic bill is pending to break
it all up.
As you will recollect also. the
farm bureau opposed the inclu-
sion of the Farm Credit Admin
istration in the agricultural de-
partment in 1899 1t wanted
the administration to be indie
pendent.
AS the national grange has
never been very sympathetic, the
farm bureaus waywardness
leaves only the farmers union,
of all three big farm organiza-
tons, strictly adhering TO the
Democratic way tas opposed
apparently to the Republican in
dependent way.
THE fact that about one-third
i of Congress did not want the
Presidents BritiSh-aid bill may
hold back the development Of
policy in some degree. Whether
il will be deemed wise to start
ship transfers or conveying. for
example. until ten1pers quiet
down. is a question only Mr..
Roosevelt can answer. Some
developments may have to wait
until public opinion comes along.
A personal check of several
government officials in charge of
shipping matters indicates con-
voys are not now necessary.
They estimate the British now
have 100000 tons of shipping
above the waves. which is enough
TO keep them going for the time
being.
But the British need food.
Preliminary steps were taken
quietly before the bill passed. TO
provide it for them. The federal
surplus marketing corporation
is ready 10 jump out as pur-
chasing agent for British food
stuffs when the signal comes.
E-trof thpv will tNr.ohahly fakp