| Show LAND GRANT HEADS WARN AGAINST HALT IN CONTROL OF PRICES farmers will be headed for postwar disaster if price controls are relaxed now naw according to a b lunt warning issued by the association of land grant colleges and universities to the utah extension service clarence A dykstra of the university of california at LA chairmen of the associations executive committee said the anti inflation statement was drafted by the postwar policy committee of the association has been approved by the executive committee and re represents presen ts the con census of leading agricultural college authorities throughout the united states slates farm people have an enormous stake in successful control of inflation the postwar policy committee declared A runaway price situation during the war or while the ores pressure sure for civilian goods and services continues during the early post war period would spell disaster for many farmers and their families intimating that those who demand demana higher farm prices are shortsighted short sighted the committee states any decided rise in prices and wage rates rates during this period would add greatly to farm costs when war demands taper off shortages of farm products are likely to be replaced by surpluses if prices are allowed to get out of hand now farm prices then may nose dive while many items of farm expenses stay up the statement ascribed the agricultural depression of the ana largely to the inflated prices of world war 1 commenting that farmers surely do not want to repeat that exper experience lence farm land prices were singled out for special emphasis A lifting of price controls before the danger is past would open the door to a speculative boom this would lead to piling up of mortgage debts which in many cases would be out of line with long run farm earnings such a result would spell foreclosure ana disaster for many farmers when the inevitable reaction sets in the statement added that many returning war veterans would be among those victimized by exorbitant land prices no one contends that the control of prices and wages has been perfect the postwar policy comm committe com mitoe itce said by and large however fair minded citizens will agree that the job has been reasonably well done considering the difficulties involved few if any will want controls to continue any longer than needed but now is not the time to ease up As rapidly as the war effort permits the threat of inflation should be tempered by speedy expansion and resumption of production to meet civilian needs but controls are needed until supplies again are adequate to meet requirements at reasonable prices additional controls particularly to limit and discourage land speculation are in order |
