Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
Davis, NewFood Chief,
70 Have Full Power;
Land Army Planned
Administrator to Report
Directly to President
Rather Than Wickurd
Continued From First Page,

Rather Than Wickord
Continued From First Page,
tive disclosed that $50, 1000 farm work
ers already had been deferred from
military service and that SelectiVe
Service Director Lewis B. Hershey
estimates that 100000 additional
farmers would be deferred this year
The President also said several
thousand men already in the Army
would be furloughed temporarily for
farm work
The President expressed a thought
that we are not going ostarve in
this country. He said he had heard
all sorts of speeches and noted head
lines about food production falling
off.
But he also has noted interested
figures, he said on the estimated
acreage being planted for food crops
with nearly all showing an increase.
In a lengthy discussion of farm
problems, Mr.. Roosevelt said the
War Production Board has taken
steps to insure greater supply of
farm machinery.
The WPB, he added, is correcting
earlier mistakes, and now has al
lotted what is believed to be sufficient
steel to provide for manufacture of
sufficient farm implements.
Not only will some of the larger
manufacturers be allowed to make
such equipment, he said but also
an effort will be made to Obtain
more adequate distribution facili-
ties for the smaller plants. Pre-
viously, the big manufacturers had
been converted to war production
and had stopped making farm ma
chinery.
Under the new Setup Mr.. Wick
ards authority will be limited to
Agriculture Department activities
as they existed before the consoli-
dalton of the food program under
him last December S, Mr.. Roose-
welt said. adding that he expected
full cooperation between Mr.. Davis
and Secretary Wickard.
All in Davis Hands.
Asked if Mr. Davis would have
authority to act without the Secre-
tary's approval, the President said
he did not believe that issue would
arise. In response to other ques-
tions he explained that todayS ex-
ecutive order puts the whole sub
iect of food production and dis
tribution in Mr.. Davis hands-in-
Guiding control over food prices to
be exercised through the Office of
Price Administra ton.
An executive order issued by the
President today. together with his
press conference comment. cleared
up confusion over the relationship
of Mr. Davis and Secretary Wickard
under the new food setup. which
was announced in a brief White
House statement yesterday.
All of the powers, functions and
duties conferred upon the Secretary
of Agriculture, by the December 5
executive order consolidating the
food program under him. are trans
ferred to and shall be exercised by
the administrator (Mr. Davis. the
executive order stipula ted.
The order provided for CONSOLE
dalton of separate food production
end distribution administra tons set
up by the December S order. to-
gether with the Commodity Credit
Corp. and the Extension Service.
into an Administration of Food
Production and Distribution. with
Administrator Davis directly re-
sponsible' to the President
Mr.. Wickards authority over per-
sonnet in the various consolidated
divisions and bureaus was trans
ferred to Mr.. Davis also. Secre-
tary Wickard, the order provided,
will remain as chairman of the In
ter-departmental Committee set up
to advise the food administrator,
and also will continue as member
Of the WPB and as the American
Food Board.
Mr.. Roosevelt told his press con-
ference that Mr. Davis also will be
made a member of the WPB, the
Combined Food Board or other
groups as it became necessary in
carrying out his duties He will also
serve on the Economic Sterilization
Board headed by James F.. ByrneS.
If that becomes necessary, Mr..
Roosevelt said
RatiOning Authority.
The powers transferred from ar
Wlckard to Mr. Davis include au-
thority to determine rationing and
price control programs for food
products, such programs to be ad-
ministered through the OPA.
He also has broad power to deter
mine military and foreign food re-
qui. ementS, carry out program to
meet such needs, and distribute
available supplies through alloca-
lions and food priorities.
Mr.. Davis will work in constant
touch with Secretary Wickard, the
President said. Any final decisions
will come to the Chief Executive
under the provision that Mr.. Davis
report to him. Mr.. Roosevelt added
He mentioned that farm-price con-
troll was one of the specific things
on which Mr.. Davis would report
to him rather than channeling it
through Secretary Wickard.
In response to specific questions
about division between Mr.. Wickard
and Mr. Davis over such activities
as those of the Farm Credit Admin
iStra ton. Mr.. Roosevelt said that
specific blueprintS of authority cam
not take the place of cooperation in
government.
Discusses Farm Burroughs.
OF the 100000 additional farm
workers expected to be deferred
under the Tydings amendment by
the end of this year. Mr. Roosevelt
said, the estimate was that 100000
would be single men.
Burroughs of men already in the
service t0 work on farms mNSt he