Atlanta Daily World

Liberians Ask U. S. Continue Economic Work

Declare Nation Not Prepared To Carry On Alone

By JACOB BROWNE

MONROVIA- (ANP)- The Foreign Economic administration which was set up in Liberia during the war years, closed down its activities here as of July 1.

The head of the FEA in Liberia was, until a few months ago, Earl Parker Hanson, who during his stay lost a child who was buried here.

Prime object of FEA was to develop those products which were urgently needed for the war effort: but during this period, they went further by making mining surveys: an expert on timber production made a tour of the timber sections of the country with beneficial results to interested Liberians: clay work was studied resulting in a group of Liberian boys being trained in the rudiment of pottery and brick-making. Agriculture was vigorously pursued resulting in a year-round production of vegetables; in this, the Liberian Bureau of agriculture and Charles E. Trout, agricultural specialist, played important parts. Different spe-
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Librarians Ask
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ches could be chopped twice yearly, there have been distributed in different sections of the interior with a view of getting sufficient needs for distribution.

PINDER REMAINS
But when the FEA was starting its economic program, it is faced with close down orders. True, Frank Pinder will remain as agricultural attache to the American legation, but this does not answer the question at all. Liberians looked to the FEA coming here as Godsend, for we were too much wrapped up in political maneuverings, and needed someone to tell us, "go back to the soil." The prosperous trade owned and controlled by Liberians had become something of the past on account of two principal reasons: (1) other men became political-minded and neglected their farms, trades and business, and (2) they were too narrow-minded and refused to take their children into their confidence so that as their successors the business could continue.

A good supply of vegetables could not answer Liberia's economic problem, what we need very badly is a resuscitation of the Liberian export trade, we want to be taught how to prepare our coffee, piassava, palm-oil, palmkernel, cocoa and rice. The mistake made by relying on one product in years gone by, and when that failed, we failed, should not repeat itself. Everybody now is interested in rubber growing, the same mistake made with coffee growing, so Liberian farmers looked with great hope on the FEA for developing the other products of Liberia.

APPEAL TO U. S.
The responsible head of the FEA now assured us that such is the plan but it has to be curtailed because Uncle Sam has ordered a close down. Liberians therefore are appealing to the good graces of Uncle Sam to continue the good work of the FEA.

Liberians are not prepared to carry on; they are without modern equipment, and when receiving them, must be taught how to use them.