davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-11-23
PROSPECTS MEAGER FOR FARM AID CUT
Ruro Legislators Careers by Voting Reduction

income, or 1913 per cent, without Gov
ernmert payments, in 1910. The COM
parable per cent for the per capita IN
come of the non-farm population IN
1910 was 1887.
Net income from agriculture, including
Government payments, represented about
81a per cent of the national income re-
ceived by all persons in 1910, as COM
pared with about 10 per cent in l929,
the peak year of the national income,
according to estimates of the Bureau OF
Agricultural Economies. In 1887 it was
slightly more than 10 per cent and
proportion as large may be shown IN
1e41. In the years Immediately prior TO
the first World War net income from
agriculture was about Is per cent OF
the total national income, which fur-
nishes basis for argument as to whether
or not the status of the farming popu-
lation was then more favorable than
now. Total national income recently
has been about two and one-half times
as great as in 1909. much of the increase
being due to tremendous industrial
expansion.
Won't Concede Basic Betterment.
Despite all the evidences of a very
great improvement in the condition OF
agriculture, its champions are unwilling
to concede that fundamental disloca.
tions have been corrected sufficiently to
warrant large reduction in the s1,l0o..
100000 annual appropriation
In summing up the principal reasons
for the economic maladjustment Of agri-
culture, first apparent in 1921 and con-
tinuing since that time, the Department
of Agriculture in official publications
lists wartime plowing up Of grasslands
and expansion of cultivated crops, the
movement of European nations toward
self-sufficiency In food as war measure,
the change of the United States from
debtor to a creditor position without
adequate revision of trade policy and the
consequent loss of foreign markets, new
farm competition in pioneer countries
and colonies, displacement of the horse
by automotive power, rapid improvement
in cultural methods and use of ma
chinery and growth of monopoly and
price fixing by corporations.
The aims of the national farm pro-
gram, as stated officially on the basis OF
laws enacted in recent years, are, first,
a fair share of the national income for
farm families and fair exchange value
for farm products, which means attain
ment by subsidy or otherwise of the
statutory parity of income and parity
of prices; second, conservation and wise
use of agricultural resources, which is
the basis for payments for soil conserva-
ton: third the safeguarding of consumer
supplies of food and fiber, toward which
the so-called ever-normal granary has
been established with the aid of loans
serving to peg prices, and fourth, stability
of farm communities and the promo
ton of national stability through gen.
erous support of the activities Of the
Farm Security Administration and other
agencies.
ANY material reduction IN approprla-
tions for agriculture appears possible
only if Congress sees fit to make radical
changes in the laws prescribing general
policies. Members from rural districts
risk their political lives II they support
q move for reduction.
Evening star., 1941-11-23

Evidences OF a substantial improve
ment in the condition of agriculture are
serving to bolster prospective drive for
a reduction of present huge Government
subsidies. The s1,100 100000 appropri-
ated for aids to agriculture in the cur
rent fiscal year, the largest item next
to interest on the public debt among
expenditures for non-defenSe purposes,
is the storm center in the controversy
over reductions to offset defense costs
Political angles make it one of the most
embarrassing of the issues confronting
members of Congress in advance of next
years biennial elections.
On the basis of standards prescribed
by law agriculture has reached status
as favorable as in the period prior to
the first World War. If allowance is
made for fallacies widely recognized to
be inherent in existing parity formulas,
conditions appear to have become even
more favorable.
The ratio of prices Of all commodities
produced by the farmer to prices of all
commodities purchased by the farmer
reached 100 In August. In other words,
agriculture attained the goal OF price
equality with industry on the plane exist
ing in the five-year period from 1909 to
1914, which has been represented by the
index figure 100 Prices of farm and
other commodities in August each aver
aged 131 per cent of those in the base
period.
Income Parity Thought Reached.
Beside prescribing price parity goal
the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1888
also declares it to be the policy OF Con-
gress to assist in obtaining parity Of
income" The figures of the Department
of Agriculture, computed only on an
annual basis, show that parity of per
capita net farm income with per capita
net nom farm income was reached with
the aid of Government payments in the
years 1885, 1886 and 1887 and fell only a
few points short in 1888, 1889 and 1910.
It appears that parity will be shown for
l941, quite likely even without the in
clusion of Government payments, which
was accomplished also in 1887.
1lc hSl hSO wv
fines parity, as applied to prices, as that
price which will give to the commodity
a purchasing power with respect to ar
ticles that farmers buy equivalent to the
purchasing power of such commodity in
the base period" The base period is
from August, 1909. to July, 1914, except
for tobacco, for which it is August, 1919,
to July, 1929. The parity price must reflect
differences in interest rates, taxes and
freight rates affecting the farmer.
Parity as applied to income is defined
as that per capita net income of in
dividuals on farms from farming opera
tions that bears to the per capita net
income of individuals not on farms the
same relation as prevailed during the
period from August, 1909, to july 1914"
Although the ratio of prices received
to prices paid by the farmer reached
100 as an average for list of more than
40 farm products, prices received remain
below parity for some of the important
cash crops. Thus, the figures for average
prices at local farm markets during the
month of August showed wheat to be
about 80 cents per bushel below parity,
corn about II cents per bushel and cotton
about ~ cents per pound below.
Evening star., 1941-11-23
Bv Arthur Whipple Crascford.

The effect of the pending price con-
troll bill would be to encourage an ao-
vance in price of those farm products
now at or below parity while authorizing
freezing of prices of those considerably
above parity The bill provides that
the President shall establish no ceiling
for any agricultural commodity. below
Cd ll0 per cent of parity or (2) the
market price prevailing on october /,
1941. or 90 the average market price
prevailing between July l, 1919, and
June 80, 1929.
Inasmuch as the law authorizes parity
payments to farmers only for few
basic commodities, including wheat,
corn and cotton. which remain below
parity, it is obvious that the s2l2,OOOOOO
appropriated for parity payments in the
current fiscal year will not remain un-
used. Also, the farm spokesmen offer
many good reasons for the use OF the
$500 100000 appropriated for payments
under the soil conservation program.
In explaining why some prices remain
below while others are above, the agri-
cultural experts point out that signifl-
can't changes in price relations among
the farm products have resulted from
shifts in conditions of production and
demand.
The important export markets for the
big cash crops have been lost or greatly
reduced. In the case of wheat and cotton
the population has not increased sufl-
~, roc1,1tiYoo
from the loss of export markets. The
domestic market has been sufficient to
absorb livestock production.
While few members of Congress with
agricultural constituencies venture to
question the validity of the parity price
theory, its weaknesses are conceded by
almost all authorities. There is no
criterion by which the l909-l4 base
period could be considered as normal
for agriculture. 1t was chosen because
it represented highly prosperous period
for agriculture. Judging from the extent
to which the high cost of living figured
in political campaigns of those years, it
was a period of abnormally high prices.
A different base was chosen for tobacco
because conditions were more favorable
in later period.
Validity Doubtful.
Even if the relationship between farm
and other prices of the 1909-l4 period
be considered normal, the theory that
it's continuance would mean mainte-
nance of the same relative status Of
farmers and industrial workers is gen.
orally conceded to be Of questionable
validity. The parity price formula takes
no account of changing costs on account
of chronological advances Production
per agricultural worker increased by Al
per cent between 1910 and 1880 and still
more thereafter according to the De-
partment of Agriculture. Unit costs
per bushel and per acre have in many
instances decreased. 1t is conceivable
that with lower prices than in the base
period the farmer might fare as well
per unit of his product and in the
absence of marketing restrictions might
obtain a larger return for his crop.
The per capita net income of persons
residing on farms has mounted con-
siderably above the. level of the 19O9-l4
period, reaching 1856 per cent. inclusive
Of Government payments. Of the base
Evening star., 1941-11-23
PANAMA, Al BOMB TARGET, ISN'T EXCITED
Army ond Navy co-ordnotng Defense Against Sudden Thsts
By c. Fars.

The Panama Canal, according to the
military experts, is the No. l bomb
target Of the Western Hemisphere, with
Gatun Dam the bull's-eye.
But no one in the Canal Zone or Pan
anna seems very excited about the pos
sibility of sudden attack by air. Amer
leans and Panamanians alike take wars
and rumors Of war very calmly, indeed.
The zone isn't even excited about the
construction boom, although there Is
more work now under way than at any
time since the Canal was started. Prof.
ects have been carefully planned, and
work goes forward steadily, but without
frenzied haste.
Even the recent custer Of President
Arnulfo Arias, regarded as pro-Nazi in
sympathies, was accomplished without
disturbance When a group of his min
listers staged bloodless coup detat the
public remained calm, almost apathetic.
The importance of the Canal to Amer
lean defense is obvious With 1t our Navy
can guard two oceans. Without 1t pro-
lection of the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts
task.
Sudden Thrust Is Big Peril.
One big bomb well placed might
seriously damage Gatun Dam, drain
Gatun Lake and close the Canal The
Army and Navy are cooperating In
closely knit defense which makes the
odds against a successful attack very
long ones
A land offensive against the Canal is
almost inconceivable. Dense jungle
stretches along both sides of the water
way. Even the Panama Canal Mobile
Force, especially trained in jungle fight
ing, must cross the istnmus by the one
railroad line.
An attack by sea also can be ruled out.
If the day ever comes when an enemy
fleet controls either the Atlantic or the
Pacific, the Canal will be a handicap
rather than an advantage, and probably
swill be efficiently wrecked by our own
engineers to prevent its use by an enemy.
The real danger is that the Canal
might be blocked temporarily just at a
time when the feet was being moved
from one ocean to meet threat in the
other. If ship were sunk in the Canal,
the locks sabotaged or the dam blasted,
the damage could be repaired-but per-
haps not quickly enough.
Protection of the Canal against a
lightning air thrust or sabotage is the
real problem in the defense of Panama
And all possible precautions are being
taken.
Ships transiting the Canal are in
spected carefully and are taken through
in full charge of American officers with
their own independent communications
system between bridge and engine ROOM
Employees Get Passes.
All employees of the Canal, the Army
and the Navy are carefully checked by
intelligence officers and are issued
passes. Vital areas are under strict
military guard. And although there is
q large number of Germans, Italians and
Japanese in Panama, many OF them
obviously government agents, G-2 and
Navy Intelligence keep close check on
their activities.
TOP man in the defense Of the Canal
Evening star., 1941-11-23
On Other Fronts

Fighting continued spasmodically but
not in decisive character on other fronts
during the week.
At sea, most spectacular report prob
ably was that of sinking by Red feet OF
three German transports and a tanker
in Barents Sea. Victims were believed
part of a convoy en- route with reinforce
ments and supplies for Finnish and Ger
Evening star., 1941-11-23
On their right flank doomed guns Of

On their right flank doomed guns Of
Britains Mediterranean feet, still In
solently casual about their free move
ments in Mussolini's mare nostrum," !"
pounding at Axis troop concentrations
and supply bases at Bardia, Salum and
Halfaya Pass.
Above them roared bombing and
fighter planes turned out of the arsenal
of democracy" some streaking 300 miles
to blast at power and harbor installa-
tions in Tripoli, others winging across
the Mediterranean for new assaults on
Tripoi.
Warning against early eXultation but
proudly optimistic, Winston Churchill
formally announced the beginning of
this big push" to cheering House of
Commons on Thursday.
For the empires fighting men, he
said, this is the first time We have met
the Germans at least equally we'll armed
and equipped and realizing that part
which a British victory in Libya will
play upon the whole course of the war.
"All now depends upon the battle which
follows.
THE object is not so much
to occupy this or that locality but the
Evening star., 1941-11-23

destruction of the army and primarily
the armored forces Of the enemy"
Emulating the encircling tactics ap-
piled so successfully by Hitler's panzer
divisions in Europe, two main British
columns appeared by Friday to be biting
their way deep into the desert-by-
passing Salum and Bardia and believed
aiming at trapping Axis divisions be-
tween British-held Tobruk and the
Egyptian frontier.
Both Rome and Berlin acknowledged
beginning of this British offensive, un-
derstandably claiming effective counter
attacks but admitting advanced locale Of
action.
AS for second phase of this Battle Of
Africa. its outward beginning came early
in week when Gen. Maxine Weygand,
proconsul of French North Africa hur-
Evening star., 1941-11-23

ried to Vichy for consultation with aged
Marshal Petain, chief of state.
Rumors that Weygand would relin-
quish his post rather than consent to
deviation from armistice
Weyqond terms which had guaran-
"Retires" teed that French colonial
empire would not be turned
over to Berlin were substantuated by
midweek developments as Vichy ad-
mitted his replacement with pro-German
Vice Premier Jean Darlan given political
control over African domain and military
command divided between Gen. Jean
Barrau and 1t. Gen. Alfonso JUN, the
latter only recently released from Nazi
prison camp.
Acting quickly, Washington's Ambas-
sador Leahy conferred at length with
Vichy officials on Wednesday; on Thurs
day the State Department announced
that all American economic assistance
to French North Africa was being sus-
pended and that entire question OF
Franco American relations was being
reviewed.
Evening star., 1941-11-23

man forces which have been threatening
Murmansk and Archangel.
Scattered sinkings of British cargo
vessels In North Atlantic were reported.
From the Balkans continued to ema-
nate reports of relentless warfare by or
ganized guerrilla armies, sabotage of vir-
tually all industrial effort on behalf of
German-Italian occupation forces and
retaliatory killings by Axis command to
a gruesome degree.
On this side of the Atlantic, principal
developments were the war Of the coal
mines" signing of legislation
Coal which permits arming OF
STRIKE American merchant men and
their sailing in any waters of
the world, continuance of polite diplo-
matte conversations with Japan, seizure
Evening star., 1941-11-23

ment.
is It. Gen. Frank M. Andrews, chief Of
the Caribbean defense command and
commanding general of the Panama
Canal Department. 1t is significant that
Gen. Andrews is an aviation officer,
moved up only recently from the post
of chief of the Caribbean Air Force.
The Army is boss in the Canal Zone.
The Navy has only a few submarines,
some small in-shore craft and the long,
range patrol bombers which keep vigi-
liant watch far out to sea.
Backbone of the ground defense
against air attack is the Panama coast
artillery command, which controls anti
aircraft as we'll as coastal installations.
It's equipment includes the most modern
type of plane-detecting devices.
Geography Is Complicated.
Geographical and political factors
complicate the defense of the Canal.
The Zone is not American territory but
is a strip of land extending five miles
on each side of the waterway which is
held under perpetual lease from the
Republic of Panama 1t runs roughly
northwest from the twin cities of Cris-
tobal and Colon on the Atlantic to the
triple cities of Panama, Balboa and
Ancon on the Pacific. All are on the
east bank of the Canal.
Colon is Panamanian city entirely
within but not a part Of the Zone.
Panama City, which cuts into the Zone
on the Pacific side, is the capital of the
republic. There are no barriers between
the Panamanian and American cities
Going from Cristobal to Colon or Ancon
to Panama is merely matter of cross
ing a street.
Guarding the Atlantic end of the canal
are Forts Randolph and Sherman, both
equipped with big coast defense rifle and
anti-aircraft guns, and the Army's At
lantic air base, France Field.
Inland short distance is Fort William
c. Davis, which has infantry. field artil-
lery and cavalry, and Fort Gulick, now
being greatly expanded. Construction
Evening star., 1941-11-23

now we'll under way will make 1t the
biggest post on the Atlantic side.
At Gatun, few miles inland are the
Atlantic locks. Guarding them are the
Army's new jungle posts, with anti-air-
craft installations on every strategic hill
Tin-roofed screen and wood huts have
been built at intervals along the Canal
and shores of Gatun Lake Many have
been constructed so recently that an
observer can detect red dirt from grading
and roofs still little too green An
other rainy season and the jungle will
have covered them with an impenetrable
camoufage
Radio Only Link.
These outposts. reached by boat or
narrow jungle trail. are in constant radio
communication, and although there is
little for the men to do but kill snakes
and avoid insect bites, morale is un.
usually high.
At the Pacific entrance to the Canal
are Forts Amador and Kobbe, coast
artillery posts, and Albrook Field, the
Armys biggest airfield, which is rapidly
being expanded in facilities and equip
ment, All types of planes are available,
including the big flying fortresses, and
more are arriving In steady stream.
A second air center, Howard Field, is
under construction
Fort Clayton and Camp Paraiso are
infantry posts on the Pacific side and the
Post of Corozal is the headquarters of the
Corps Of Engineers. At Quarry Heights,
not far from Balboa, is the department
headquarters.
The Panama Canal mobile force, the
combat organization of infantry and an
armored unit, has headquarters at Fort
Clayton and Fort Davis.
One of the newest Army posts is at
Rio Hato, in Panama, about 80 miles
west of Balboa. Here, where more dry,
reasonably level land is available than
in the immediate area Of the Canal, the
Army now has an airfield and training
center where small-scale maneuvers can
be held by all arms of the service
Navy Has Small Force in Zone.
The Navy, which expects to do most
of its fighting long way from Panama,
has only small organization in the
Zone. Rear Admiral Frank H. Sadler,
commandant of the 18th Naval District,
has his headquarters in Balboa. A
naval operating base, which may eventu-
ally be large enough to service fleet, is
under construction on the west bank of
the Canal.
The Navy's inshore patrol of small
craft guards the Canal entrance and
cares for submarine nets which protect
the harbors. Mine laying is done by the
Army. The Canal is closed at night and
only one set of locks is in use while the
other is being bombproofed. A third
set, now under construction, probably
will not be completed for five years.
Submarines are based at Coco Solo
on the Atlantic side and patrol bombers
at the adjacent Naval Air Station. The
planes range far out to sea in fan
like patrol that checks every ship in
the Caribbean area.
The Navy is operating on war foot
ing. The Army has more than doubled
its forces in the Zone. New construc-
ton is arising on all sides. But Panama
refuses to get excited.
Evening star., 1941-11-23
Battle of Russia

On the long and blood soaked Russian
front, developments of this past week
followed familiar pattern-one of Ger
man gains paid for in arduous, costly
and bitter fighting.
Major Nazi accomplishments of the
week were capture of Rostov, northern
gateway to the Caucasus and of Kerch,
easternmost fortress of Crimean PENN
sula, commanding narrow straits into
Sea of Azov and River Don, and strate-
gically located as side door into Caucasus
Isthmus
Claimed by Berlin on Monday, Kerch
was admitted lost by Moscow on Thurs
day. In formers claim, cost Of victory
was passed over by simple
Rostov ond announcement of capture
H.~-L after bitter fighting;
Soviet communique assert
ed 10000 German troops had been killed,
much equipment destroyed before orderly
evacuation of port was directed.
Whatever the truth, occupation of this
end of Crimea leaves Red naval base of
Sevastopol besieged by land and is Of
undoubted strategic value to Nazi two
pronged drive in Caucasus-southeast
ward from Rostov and eastward from
Kerch.
Even in face of this advantage, how
ever, accomplishment of German objec-
tive of occupying oil-rich lands in
isthmus between Caspian and Black Seas
is far from settled. Drawn along foot
hills of Caucasus Mountains, in immedi-
ate area, which produces about 10 per
cent of Russia's normal yearly oil supply,
is one of Soviet's strongest defensive
armies, their positions we'll prepared and
with fighting equipment believed plen-
tiful.
Backing up this line is towering noun
tain range itself-with few and easily
targeted passes-while in vastly richer
Transcaucasus area beyond are addi-
tional heavily fortified and defended
ready are flowing American war supplies
landed in Persian Gulf and transported
across Iran, while British Empire man
power might also be joined here with
Red allies
Fighting on other Russian fronts CEN
tered about Nazi efforts to envelop Ros-
tov and occupy Donets Basin,
Donets and to knife through defense
Bosin line of Moscow. Immediate
target in former drive was
railroad line between Moscow and Ros-
tov, but at midweek Soviet sources were
claiming recapture of villages and ad-
vances up to IL miles against German
units in this sector.
Northward, principal activity within
Moscow defense arc centered at NUM-
tions center and railroad junction of
Tula On Tuesday, official Soviet dis
patches reported rout of Nazi occupation
forces in this city as Red bombardment
was implemented by fierce cavalry as
sault in dawn hours. German units were
hitting back hard as the week ended.
volokolamsk and Kalinin, north and
west of Moscow but also within the great
circle of its defenses, were scenes of other
bloody engagements Of this past week,
and German striking forces were renew
ing efforts to sever all communications
between IeuinRrad and important points
Evening star., 1941-11-23

to north, east and south. Despite vio-
lence of weeks action. and probable
heavy losses on both sides, geographic
changes in positions of opposing armies
appeared to be relatively slight all along
this central and northern line.
Evening star., 1941-11-23

after this
become the highUay OF mechansed armies
factors compcae the basic strategy Of the armies tnoed
soldiers They shoWed that last
they chased the nuadno British back to Egypt At that
held Mediterranean Nou
OF those, planes fighting the Russian front.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-04-18
ENCHANTED

Warner newcomer Jean Ames has @ collection of the largest Mex ican hats she can find-hangs them up on the wall.