A. F. B. F. Aslcs Action 



On AAA Programs 



The following resolution unani- 

 mously adopted by the executive com- 

 mittee of the American Farm Bureau 

 Federation meeting in Chicago on 

 June 21 was despatched to Secretary 

 of A griculture Henry A. Wallace, and 

 Administrator Chester C. Davis. 



"While we recognize the obligations 

 which rest upon organized agriculture 

 in advocating the principles contained 

 in the Agricultural Adjustment Act, 

 we cannot assume responsibility for 

 continued delay in its administration 

 resulting from technical requirements. 



"We have, since the date of the en- 

 actment f this law, responded to in- 

 vitations extended by the administra- 

 tors to offer them the best judgment 

 of the American Farm Bureau Fed- 

 eration on various problems of ad- 

 ministration. In making these sug- 

 gestions we have, in every instance, 

 endeavored to simplify, co-ordinate, 

 and make more practical the conduct 

 of the commodity campaigns, the edu- 

 cational work incident thereto, and 

 the fulfilling of contract agreements 

 both by the farmers and the govern- 

 ment, -v ■-:.;•.'-• 



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. . Too Many Estimates ^^^^^i^^;-. 



"We recognize that much of the 

 activities of the AAA in connection 

 with cotton, tobacco, wheat, dairy 

 products, livestock, and corn have 

 proceeded along lines largely in con- 

 formity with these recommendations. 

 It is our opinion, however, that econ- 

 omists and legal specialists appear to 

 be too solicitous of making their 

 estimates and opinions the basis of 

 all activities to the exclusion of the 

 better judgment of higher officials in 

 AAA, 



"We believe the time has arrived 

 for higher officials to more definitely 

 assort themselves; to end the issuing 

 of conflicting, repealing, and confus- 

 ing orders and regulations; to allow 

 the county allotment committees more 

 authority consistent with their re- 

 sponsibilities; to put less stress upon 

 the importance of preliminary esti- 

 mates of economists in AAA and the 

 respective states regarding state and 

 county allotments and accept certified 

 statements of farmers and county al- 

 lotment committees; to terminate 

 legal opinions becoming operating 

 policies; and to expedite the issuing 



of benefit payment checks. 



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"Much of the confusion and delay 

 encountered in effectively administer- 

 ing the various commodity activities 

 was occasioned by technical require- 



JULY, 1934 



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ILLINOIS DELEOATES TO NATIONAL 4-^ CLTTB CAMP AT WASHINGTON, D. C. 



Left to rirht: Miti Cleo Fitzsimmons, extension specialist in 4-H dub work, Collere of Affri* 

 cmlture; TXniversity of Illinois; Walter B. Krei, Menard oounty; Marion K. Yoeman, Fulton oonnty; 

 Frank Krell, Sangamon oonnty; Margaret Anderson, Jefferson oonnty, and E. I. Pilchard, extension 

 specialist in boys' club work. 



ments. At the present time these 

 technical requirements are causing se- 

 rious delay in putting into effect the 

 corn-hog program. 



"We can no longer condone im- 

 pugning the veracity of corn and hog 

 farmers and county allotment com- 

 mittees set up by such farmers, in 

 orders from Washington or from state 

 administrators, when in our best judg- 

 ment such orders have for their major 

 purpose justifying preliminary sta- 

 tistical estimates as to hog popula- 

 tion in a county or state. We have 

 no hesitancy in stating that with the 

 reductions of hogs from preliminary 

 contracts that were not properly sup- 

 ported with information, a further re- 

 duction is indefensible and wholly un- 

 necessary. . : 



End Uncertainty 



"Accordingly, we urge the admin- 

 istrators of the Agricultural Adjust- 

 ment Act to immediately end the pres- 

 ent period of uncertainty, by an- 

 nouncing definitely and finally what 

 policies and practices are to prevail 

 in the corn-hog section." • .; ,\ ^ 



"We believe this resolution merits 

 your careful consideration and im- 

 mediate action," the message stated. 

 It was signed by all members of the 

 committee including Edward A. O'- 

 Neal, Charles E. Hearst, Earl C. 

 Smith, Wm. H. Settle, R. W. Black- 

 burn, C. R. White, and J. F. Porter. 



The decision of the federal district 

 court at St. Louis upholding Congress 

 in abrogating the gold clause of obli- 

 gations payable in the United States, 

 is an important one. A New York 

 bank in this case sought to collect 

 $1,693 in currency for each $1,000 

 bond because of the gold devaluation 

 program. In his decision. Judge Chas. 

 B. Paris said: "No person in the na- 

 tion has the right to make a contract, 

 the effect of which is to nullify, ob- 

 struct or circumvent the power of 

 Congress to say what shall be the na- 

 tional money or medium of exchange." 



This important case undoubtedly 

 will be taken to the Federal Supreme 

 Court. Final decision will settle fre- 

 quent criticisms and charges that this 

 act violates the constitution. The at- 

 titude of Judge Faris is another il- 

 lustration of the fact that courts 

 more and more are adhering to the 

 will and needs of the people. ;> 



■.'■>. 



The I. A. A. has oonsistently urfed that 

 every farmer be riven a hor allotment enly 

 in line with full and proper records and informa- 

 tion furnished thowinf proof of prodnotion and 

 marketings in the base period. It will eon- 

 timue to insist that when farmers have eom- 

 plied with suoh reffvlfttions, that government 

 discharre its obligations rerardleas ef varianee 

 of farmers' figures with statistital estimatet.— - 

 Editor. 



The Frasier-Lempke farm mortgage 

 bill passed in the closing hours of the 

 recent congress, is a far-reaching 

 piece of legislation which already has 

 aroused much controversy. This meas-< 

 ure would have the effect of cutting 

 down all farm mortgage indebtedness 

 to present appraised values and 

 sharply reduce interest rates on the 

 newly appraised price. If the creditors 

 cannot agree the court would be re- 

 quired to stay foreclosure proceedings 

 for five years during which time the 

 (Cont'd on page 12, Col. 3) 



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