The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1941-05-16
WNU Service, 1343 II Street, N. W.,
Washington, ID. G..

WASHINGTON Secretary OF Ag-
riculture Wickard has discovered that
he has been elected chief devil by
the leaders of two large groups OF
Americans-farmers and Consum-
ers. You know you cannot be sue
cessful group leader of any kind I'M
less you have Il devil to fight.
And so the otherwise genial gen
tleman who runs the department OF
agriculture has learned something
new. 1t is something that all news
and editorial writer's and all radio
commentators know: namely, that
if you can make both sides in any
controversy mad you can sleep with
pretty clear conscience because
that means you are walking u fairly
just and middle course.
In Secretary Wickard's case the
farm group leaders say he is fore
ing down prices. They say he
has deserted his own and gone con-
sumer-minded. They say this be-
cause he announced on April that
the government would support
prices of hogs and poultry and eggs
prices. These prices are somewhat
below the level of the so-called
parity prices" and that is one rea-
son why he is a devil to farmers.
Parity prices, as all farmers know,
were established in the twenties and
were written into the agricultural
adjustment acts in 1893 and 1888.
These prices were established in
this way: The prices the farmer
had to pay for the things he bought
and the prices which he got for the
things he sold in the years 1910 to
1914 were averaged. That ratio
thus established was accepted by
farm leaders as a goal to shoot at
in the long fight in the twenties
when agriculture tried to obtain
legislation which would give it an
equitable share in the national
wealth. Later the parity figures
were recognized by congress in the
drafting of the agricultural acts, the
purpose of which was to obtain for
the farmer a decent return for his
efforts by adjusting supply and con-
Stunning power as a part of the re-
covery program following the de-
preston.
Desires Higher Prices.
Now Secretary Wickard wants
prices to 60 up. He does not say
how far. All he says is that the
government will support a price up
to q figure which, admittedly is be-
low the parity prices but higher
than they were when he made the
announcement and as high as his
advisors felt the present situation
required.
He has received plenty OF COM
plants and what is more he has
encouraged complaints by saying
that he would take full responsible
ity for his action.
Now we know that one mans
meat is another mans poison.
Prices that are not high enough for
the farm leaders are too high for
the consumer group leaders. 1t gives
them Q fine opportunity TO get to-
gether and chant: "In crisis you
mustn't boost prices"
The dead cats from both camps
fill the air and all Secretary Wick
ard has to do is duck with a quick
eye and a clear conscience.
And, incidentally, he is getting a
/ few moribund fclines that are really
for Leon Henderson whose job is
! price fixing under the DEM. Mr.
! Henderson announced that farm
machinery should not sell for any
more than 1t did in the first quarter
OF this year And Immediately the
department Of agriculture received a
food Of letters which, instead OF say
ing Murray for our side" said
that Mr. Wickard was letting his
colleague, Mr. Henderson, get away
with murder by fixing the cost of
farm machinery at what the writer's
say is already exOrbltant.
And so nobody is exactly happy
but the unhappincss, according to
Wickard (including his OWN is fairly
cqutably distributed