Evening star., 1943-04-09
Resigned AAA Official
Charges Farm Bureau
Spread 'FamineF Fear
SchooIer Accuses Group
Of Trying to Dominate
Agricultural Program

Harry N. Schooler, resigned d.
rector of the Agricultural Adjust
ment Administration for the corn
belt area, today charged the Amer
lean Farm Bureau Federation with
creating a national famine fear
based on false reports and rumors.'
which he said had stimulated hoard
ing and black market operations.
This fear program is leading the
public to believe We are going to
starve," said Mr.. Schooler, who SUBJ
mitted his resignation to Food Ad-
ministrator Chester c. Davis yes
terday. He declared the politically
powerful farm bureau was doing
this in order to discredit people
working in the Agriculture Depart
ment' and as move ito get farm
ers out of Government"
Mr.. Schooler, a South Dakota
FARMER, accused the farm bureau
of attempting to dominate all agri-
cultural programs, including the
country's county extension services.
He disclosed that Mr.. Davis had
relieved him of his official duties as
AAA director for the North Central
region Monday, pending a congress
sional investigation of charges that
he had attempted to influence GER
tain farmers to support Secretary of
Agriculture Wickard's $100 900, ,OOO
incentive payment program, now
StVnied in CONGRESS
Blames Farm Bureau.
Mr.. Schooler said the farm bureau
and State extension service leaders
had succeeded in getting the food
administrator to relieve him of his
duties.
In his letter to Mr.. Davis. Mr..
6chooler said he had been under
constant attack by enemies of the
democratic principles that farmers
should direct and operate AAA farm
programs. He contended that Mr..
Davis action grew directly out of
what he called a farm bureau
inspired investigation by House
Appropria tions Subcommittee of
speeches he had made criticizing the
farm organization for its opposition
to Mr.. Wickard's incentive payment
program.
Predicting that other AAA Off
clals IN Washington will be asked
to submit their designations "or will
be showed into the background. Mr..
Schooler, in his letter to Mr.. Davis,
observed that there are other Off
Gals in the AAA who have dared to
uphold the comparatively new idea
In Washington that farmers are as
capable of running farm affairs as
lawyers economists and politicians" !"
Farm Labor Bill Cited.
Mr.. Schoolers resigna ton. first
rift within the department since Mr..
Davis took over as food administra-
tor III days ago, was seen as bring
ing into the open a fight over who
is to control county and State farm
committees.
The former AAA official cited as
an example the s40,O0O,OO0 farm
labor bill passed yesterday by the
Senate. In the bill is a clause giving
county agents final authority on the
question of transporting local help
to other areas. Such transfer cam
not be made without written con-
sent of agents.
This gives the American Farm
Bureau Federation control over
farm labor in places where it domi-
mates county extension services" Mr..
Schooler said land in time this
might bring about the defeat of the
entire farm labor program"
Mr.. Schooler. who is 48, was ap-
pointed assistant director of the
corn belt region by Mr.. Wickard
then director of the AAA for that
region. in 1887. He became director
In 1910 when Mr.. Wickard was ap-
pointed Undersecretary of Agricul-
ture. Previously he had served in
local and State AAA administrative
posts in South Dakota. His region
included Nebraska, South Dakota
Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wiscon-
sin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and
NL;o