News & Observer for Saunders’ Relief Plan. . . Thinks Independent Has Better Plan for Corn Surplus Than Secretary Wallace or Editor of Farm Life
The News & Observer, issue of Monday, Nov. 28, reprinted the editorial “An Opportunity of a Life Time,” which appeared originally in this newspaper last week. Commenting upon the editorial under the caption “The Suffering in Russia,” The News & Observer says editorially:
“As to the burning of corn for fuel Farm Life says:
“Secretary of Agriculture Wallace has courage, if not discretion. He sends out a public statement in which he advises the burning of corn for fuel in sections where ‘corn is very cheap and a rather poor grade of coal is selling at high prices.’ He declares that ‘under such conditions it will pay both farmers and people in country towns to use corn instead of coal.’ In the table of fuel values which he sends out corn at 10 cents a bushel is equal to coal at $5 a ton; corn at 20 cents equals coal at $10, and corn at 30 cents equals coal at $15. It is something of a mental shock to consider burning corn. Secretary Mohler of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture considers Mr. Wallace’s statement ‘unfortunate,’ and doubts if corn will be burnt to any extent in Kansas. We recall that corn-burning stories were told rather frequently last year, but an investigation by Farm Life showed that in practically all instances the burning was done ‘across the state line,’ or else ‘over in another county.’ Our notion is that not much corn of marketable grade will be burned. Our advice, if it should be asked, would be that all farmers who have no woodlots should get busy and plant an acre or so of trees.
“But a more obvious thought regarding the low price of corn has occurred to Editor W.O. Saunders of the Elizabeth City Independent. His views are given elsewhere on this page.
“Famine conditions are growing worse all the time in Russia. “Sir Philip Gibbs’ articles reveal a horrifying situation. But how slightly the imagination of the American people has been gripped by all the harrowing stories coming out of Russia! A great farm paper editor when he hears of burning coal for fuel is moved to advise the growing of more trees so that the farmer may have fuel. Good advice, ordinarily speaking, but is it not strange that the surplus of corn did not suggest to that paper a means of relief for Russia? The American people are kind-hearted, but it takes much to make them interested in the people of distance countries.
“Mr. Saunders puts his proposition up to Mr. Hoover. We do not know what Mr. Hoover will do with the suggestion—put it into practical effect if it is in any way practical, it is to be hoped.
“Mr. Hoover ought to resign as Secretary of Commerce and give the whole of his marvelous organizing ability to the relief of Russia. It is terrible to think that human beings are dying by droves from hunger and disease when there is so much food in the world and so much money in the United States with which to buy it. Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Millions of Americans are going about their daily tasks enjoying blessings untold and all the while utterly oblivious to the sufferings of their brother human beings in Russia.”
From The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., Friday, Dec. 2, 1921
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