Farming: A Hard Row To Hoe

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The events of December 9, 1985, were indeed an American tragedy. At the time, I expressed the deepest sympathy of all Iowans to the families of the victims. I also noted that this event was an aberration.

We have acted to help ease farm families' pain and speed the transitions. In January 1985, we established a rural-concern hotline, which has handled 14,300 calls and prevented several suicides and other tragedies. A Farmer-Creditor Mediation Service, started with private donations and supplemented by state funds, now provides service to all of Iowa's 99 counties.

We in Iowa know the importance of the family farm to our way of life. We are trying to do all that is reasonably possible to preserve the family farm through this crisis -- the worst since the Great Depression. But I believe a more understanding and supportive attitude from the federal government could help us work through this in a peaceful and constructive way.

EDITOR-NOTE:

We weren't surprised that our story about the Iowa farmer who shot his wife, his banker, and himself ("An American Tragedy," May) brought a most impassioned response from readers. As spring warmed the farm country in the Midwest, tractors continued to be diverted from the fields to the auctioneer's block. And readers debated whether farmers like Dale Burr are simply paying the price of being bad businessmen or were manipulated by bankers and government land officials.

Our article on AT&T's new corporate headquarters ("The AT&T Building in Manhattan," May) contributed to the increasing skepticism about whether the company will ever be much more than a long-distance giant. The Wall Street Journal (May 12) and Business Week (May 19) both pointed to continuing weaknesses in AT&T's new computer and information businesses. Our piece suggested -- not so subtly to readers, apparently -- that the company's champagne tastes don't fit very well in the new competitive environment of telecommunications.