The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-03-05
rDiajlaqtn,
| M 6 0sffw 1zAff~
Washington, D. C.
THE AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT

himself has silenced administration
critics of Claude Wickard, and de-
creed that he remain as secretary
of agriculture.
The Presidents stand came at the
height Of an increasing storm brew
ing round the amiable Indiana corn
farmer, whom everyone likes but
whose all-important food program is
tagging.
White House advisers have told
the President that Wickard's pro-
gram was inadequate, that it must
be drastically revised, that there
would be shocking deficiencies OF
food. Some have urged that Wick
ard be replaced.
The President, however, has de-
Tended his secretary of agriculture.
But also he has appointed White
House Secretary Lauchlin Currie--
whose regular field is Chinese rela-
tions-to act as umpire on the farm
program. Currie has given Wick
ard nine-point program for re-
vamping American agriculture and
among other things has pointed out
that England increased her food pro-
duction so per cent with little addi-
tional manpower. Why, he asks,
cannot the United States do the
same?
AGRICULTURE'S PROGRAM
Here are Currie's proposals, adj
vanced with the blessing of the
White House:
1. The goals Of agricultural pro-
duction should be higher.
2. A new production program,
possibly with new budget, should
be presented to congress. 81
3. All acreage allotments and
other restrictions on production
should be removed to encourage the
more, efficient farmers.
4. The 100000 farm operators
of second rate efficiency should be
brought into full production with the
aid of seed, fertilizer, livestock, ma
chinery and even land.
5. Cotton and tobacco acreage
should be reduced, corn acreage, al
lotments removed entirely, and
more wheat should be fed to live
stock.
6. Profiting by British example,
a new "land army should be or
ganized, to- use town and city dwell
ers, especially women, for farm
work. 5.lss
T.. Truck farmers who produce
such luxuries as iceberg lettuce
should be converted to more essen
tial crops.
8. Facilities for processing and
drying foods should be increased.
9. Local direction of the farm
program should be shifted away
from Farm-bureau-minded agents,
toward agents more responsive to
federal direction.
WICKARD'S FARM PROGRAM
Wickard's response to this sweep
ing proposal was to accept Fart Of
it, reject part.
He believes the production goals
are already high enough that it's
too late to present a new program
for 1913, that cotton goals have al
ready been substantially lowered,
and tobacco reduction would require
change of the law A
He agrees to removal of acreage
restrictions on most crops, but not
on cotton and wheat, which still
yield embarrassing SURPRISES.
Claude is a little touchy on the
question of county agents and COM
mitteemen, insisting that federal
representation is adequate.
FULL PRODUCTION
On other points; however, he
agrees with the White House pro-
posals, declaring some already are
in effect He wants to bring the
], 000, 900 less efficient farmers into
full production, to increase dehydra-
ton of foods, convert truck farmers
from iceberg lettuce, etc., and or
ganize new land army from towns
and cities. In fact, he already
has a plan well advanced for the
land army
Wickard,- who had hardly been
heard Of before his elevation to Wal
lace's place in the cabinet, has had
clear sailing for two years, thanks
- Il 4.