The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-03-27
DIES OPPOSES
SHARECROPPER
CELEBRATION.
Appropriation For TIL G
Southern Farmers Hit
BY congressman

WASHINGTON CAMP - Rep.
Martin Dies, the congressman who
looks like a German although he
halls from Texas, and who oppo-
nents say has squandered more
than half million dollars OF tax
payers money on harc-brained in
vestigations OF so-called radicals,
has new puppet TO play with. This
time 1t is the share-croppers those
unfortunate poems who principally
inhabit his native southland.
In congress last Tuesday, Dies
rose to heights Of eloquencc as he
waved pamphlet announcing "Na-
tional Sharecroppers week" which
Is being sponsored by the Southern
Tenant Farmers union. Dies called
the pamphlet fine propaganda for
Hitler" ignoring the fact that his
speech in congress did more 20 coll
the plight OF sharecroppers 10 the
attention OF IN Nazis than the
pamphlet could ever have done.
The letter which announced Ma
tional Sharecroppers week pointed
out that there were hundreds OF
thousands OF sharecropperS and ten
ant farmer families living bleak.
despairinG lives in our own South"
The letter said that In the face Of
an arrogant terrorism exercised by
the economic group which. rules
the agricultural South. these Negro
and white sharecroppers and tenant
farmers have builded their own or
ganization 10 reaffirm their dignity
as human beings" Dies almost
frothed al the mouth as he de-
manded 10 know what more cf-
fcctive propaganda could Gocbbels
in charge OF propaganda agencies
for the Axis want than this PAM
phlct saying 10 the world that
southern farmers are n selfish lot
who enslave their fellow
Dies real effort Was - make an
attack on the administration. lie
called attention 10 the fact that
Secretary OF Interior Harold lckcS
and Mrs. Roosevelt. we've sponsors
of National SharecropPer week. He
was speaking against an approprla-
tion OF S26 100. 600 10 supply funds f'r
transporting recruiting and housing
farm workers who we're . Dc se";
10 Agricultural Jobs Whica mHSt 90
filled 20 enable the country 20
meet its accelerated food goals Tor
this year. Dies. abetted by a group
OF solid-South Representatives and
a group OF coal.uonlSt Rcpuol cans
from the North. the later ed Tues.
day by Rep. Everett NJ. Dirkscn Of
Peoria. IL, although he cries 10
high heaven tina; plans must be
made 90 increaSc-teod production.
ayiy ssbotages the efforts Of the
administration "a carry ou: the pro-
gram which has been developed 10
grow more food
The department - agriculture
plan called FOR the building of labor
camps and transportation and Suo-
sis,encc FOR assoc seasonal frm
employees and 5000 ycsc-roand
workers The work was ~ bo done
by the Farm Security adHlni>'r5-
ton which has more experience in
migratory work camp oper at-1r
than any other governmental dr-
partment The group opposing. ttc
plan. which includes Rep Tabcr o.
New York. ignores the tact Nat
time is an element and plgn,inC
seasons close. and proposes ~ hand
the work over ~ the federal and
state extension services. merely an-
other branch OF the slwc aEr,-ill-
tural department OF which Farm
Security is part Apparently
shere is little sincerity or honest,
IN the moves being made and no
real effort 10 speed plans 20 feip
win the war