Salt Lake Telegram | 1937-02-16 | Page 1 | Roosevelt Proposes Security for Farm Tenants of Nation

Roosevelt Proposes Security For Farm Tenants of Nation Immediate Action on Problem Is Urged in Appeal Presented to Congress WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (AP) President Roosevelt told congress con-gress today that "action to provide security" for the nation'i farm population is imperative. Sending to the legislators a report of his special committee on farm tenancy, the chief executive declared that "we can no longer postpone action." "Most Americans believe," Mr. transactions growing out of changes In land ownership and of purchases of equipment and the like. The committee proposed that the "windfall tax" be "a specific tax on capital gains ' from aeles of land (Continued on Para Two) ' (Column au I Roosevelt said, "that our form of government does not prohibit action ac-tion on behalf of those who need help.". The committee recommended establishment es-tablishment of two new federal agencies, a federal "windfall" tax on profits from land speculation, and broad activities by both federal and state divisions In the field of tenancy reform. The report of the majority of the large committee was accompanied by four dissenting views. Ths majority report auggested a "farm security, administration" be created to direct the federal program. pro-gram. The agency would be under the secretary of agriculture. A "farm security corporation" also waa auggested to handle legal later expanding the program to a scale commensurate wits the magnitude magni-tude of tho problem as rapidly as our experience end minim will permit" Roosevelt Proposes Security For Farm Tenants of Nation (Oeataeeee (real Fas Oael mads within three yean from the data of purchase." The committee, he said, empha-slsed empha-slsed these necessities: "First, action to open the doors of ownership to tenants who now have tho requisite ability and experience, ex-perience, but who ean become own-era own-era only with tho assistance of liberal credit oa long terms, and technical advice. "Second, modest loans, with the neceaaary guidance and education to prevent small owners from slipping into tenancy, and to help the maaaea of tenants, crop pen and farm laoor- B laming the problem on longtime long-time "unthinking exploitation of our agricultural resources, both land and people," the president assarted that work on a solution' must begin at once, "with auch reaourcee of manpower, money and experience as are available, and with such methods meth-ods as will call forth tho cooperative coopera-tive effort of local, state and federal agencies of government, and of landowners land-owners quite as much as tenants." "It will be wise," ha said, "to start the permanent program oa a scale coram ens urate with our resources and experience, with the purpose of era at tho very bottom of tho agricultural agri-cultural ladder increase their standards stand-ards of living, achieve greater security se-curity and begin the upward climb toward land ownership. Third, the retirement by public agencies of land proved to be un-suited un-suited for farming, and assistance to the families living thereon In finding homes on good land. "Fourth, cooperation with state and local agencies of government to Improve the general leasing system." The president assarted that the only solution to the problem ia "a nationwide program under federal leadership and with the assistance of states, counties, communities and individuals." Discussing the report, the president presi-dent said It revealed "a grave problem prob-lem of great magnitude and complexity." com-plexity." He pointed out that two of every five farmera are tenants, while on some farm lands the ratio la as great as seven out of every ten , formers.