The Farm Problem

Abstract

Small Farm and Big Farm. By Carey McWilliams. Public Affairs Pamphlet 100, Public Affairs Committee, New York, 1945. 10 cents. THE AUTHOR, formerly State Commissioner of Immigration and Housing in California, writes of trends toward large farms, giving figures for 1910 to 1940. Pressing problems are covered on the relative efficiency of big and small farms. Suggestions to guide prospective small farmers cover size favorable to success as well as industry and care in working and management; also how much to pay as purchase price and conditions under which money should be borrowed. Mr. McWilliams poses a need for political power to change adverse conditions, but he admits that such power already rests in the hands of monopolies which use pressure in their own interests under false fronts. He leaves farm problems to such as co-operatives and farmers' unions. But his argument for an agricultural policy runs in a circle. For his recommendations include that special privileges now enjoyed by certain farm organizations need removing, as well as present hidden subsidies to industrialized farming and at the same time he favors government aid for non-commercial farmers, not restricted to price. His best hint is that the hold of food processors and distributors on farm production must be broken. But how to do this and all the rest, he leaves to his readers to find out for themselves. PRESTON KING SHELDON New York