The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1945-09-06
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lin WASHINGTON
BY Walter Sheod
~ WNU Correspondent
Farmers Welfare Dependent
On Industrial Prosperity
WNU Washington Bureau
62l Union Trust Building


On Industrial Prosperity
THE nations six million farm
L families, together with other mil
lions almost wholly dependent upon
agriculture, should feel deep and
growing concern about forces now
at work. These forces either will or
will not bring about industrial peace,
and a full and complete postwar
economy in the country.
AS so often has been pointed out,
agriculture and the IS million peo-
pie supported by it are mainly de-
pendent upon labor and industry for
material prosperity. 1t is automatic
there can be no prosperous agricul-
ture without large purchasing power
In the non-agricultural fields. Sec
rotary of Agriculture Clinton P. An
derson forcefully called attention to
this fact recently in an address at
Oklahoma A. & M. college when he
said:
Farmers cannot afford to
forget that their income Is de-
rived mainly from the spending
Of non-farmers. If agriculture
is to be prosperous, the first
essential is that city people
must have plenty of buying pow
Grand that means full employ
ment at good wages"
So farm leaders, during this con-
gressional recess, are making an
interim appraisal Of pending legis-
lation affecting agriculture directly,
and labor legislation which will have
an effect upon farm income. The
Farmers Union, considered the
most liberal Of the farm organiza.
tons. is strongly in favor of the
Murray full-employment bill. 1t also
approves the proposed emergency
unemployment compensation bill to
give laid-off workers an additional
$25 for 20 weeks. and specifically
favors the food allotment bill intro
duced by Senator Aiken (R., Vt.)
which would provide more food for
some 10 million low income fami-
lies through nationwide food
stamp plan.
Better Diet for All
Roughly, this measure has two
fold purpose to make an ade-
quate diet possible for every family
and to increase the demand for farm
products. 1t is estimated that this
will cost from $3.50, 1000, 900 in pros
porous years to $4,000, 900, 900 in de-
preston years. This measure was
introduced last year by Senator All
ken and Senator LaFollette prog,
Wis., but because of the wars I'M
certainty. no action was taken. Sen.
Elmer Thomas 3D.. Okla.), chair
man Of the agricultural committee,
Is said to favor the measure.
1t is significant that much of this
legislation in behalf Of labor was
introduced by representatives from
farm states. Murray of Mon
tana. Aiken, Vermont. LaFollette,
Wisconsin. Senator Pepper 3D.,
Fla.) introduced the minimum wage
increase bill and Congressman Pat
man 3D.. Texas) sponsored the COM
panion full-employment bill in the
house.
There is an old adage that
"you can't reason with a hum
cry man" and SO empty stom-
achs have a direct bearing on
political action and political be-
liefs. If we do not have a full
postwar economy, then we may
very well have thousands Of
empty stomachs. Hunger breeds
sociaIiSm-Or worse,
The American Farm Bureau fed
Grafton, while it has not yet taken
a definite stand on these specific
measures. plans an executive board
meeting in Chicago in September to
draw up its legislative program in
time for the scheduled opening of
congress in October. 1t is certain,
however, that the Farm bureau rec
ognizes that maintenance of a high
national income in the postwar
years with full production and full
employment" is imperative to our
national welfare.
Economic Balance Sought
1t is true that in some areas there
have been rumblings from farmers
against high wartime wages :.
that these wages have lured men
away from farms that workers
should have saved enough to tide
them over. Nevertheless. the con-
sideration is now peacetime wages
with shorter hours and no overtime.
Labor does not expect to receive
war wages in peace time, nor does
the farmer expect to get war prices
IN,