HARRISON BILL OFFERS FARMERS CLEAR CHOICE IN WHEAT VOTE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R002000080003-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 27, 1999
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: May 30, 1955
• Content Type: NSPR

AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION'S OFFICIAL
CPYRGHt
1 11 -1 Letter
News
r4"
May 30, 1955 ( P T Page 85
CP Choice In Wheat Vote
Representative Robert D. Harrison (R.) of Nebraska
-last week introduced a bill providing for an emergent
wheat program for 1956 if producers disapprove marketing
quotas for that year's crop.
Mr. Harrison's bill incorporates two of the major fea-
tures of the American Farm Bureau Federation's recom-
mendations for giving wheat growers a clear choice in the
marketing quota referendum to be held on June 25. (Se 1- 1
NEWS LETTER, Apr. 11, p. 57.)
The bill-H. R. 6407-'has been
referred to the House Agriculture
Committee. Its main features
are:
(1) If farmers voting in' the
coming referendum reject mar-
keting quotas, the 1956 national
acreage allotment would be set
at not less than 62 million. acres.
This would. be divided among
states, counties and farms in ac-
cordance with the provisions of
the Agriculture Adjustment Act
of 1938, as amended.
(2') If farmers reject market-
ing quotas, the level of price sup-
port to cooperating producers
(those who stay within their
aceage allotments) would be 65
percent of parity.
The Harrison bill also require
that the marketing quota refer,
endum shall carry a brief prince
description of the program!
which would be in effect i
quotas are approved and if the
are disapproved. This woul
include price support levels
acreage allotments, and applica
ble penalties under both pro
grams.
(A series of questions an
answers outlining the Far
Bureau proposals for a clea
choice in the forthcoming whea
marketing quota referendum-a
they are` incorporated in th
Harrison bill-appears on pag
$6 of this issue of the NEW
LETTER.)
AFBF Attacks Monopoly
In Industry 'And. Labor
Monopolistic and restrictive' practices in industry an
labor were denounced last week by the American Far
Randolph Name
To USDA Cotto
Advisory Group
Walter L. Randolph, vice pres
ident of the American Far
Bureau Federation and presiders
of the Alabama FBF, has bee
named to an eight man cotton
export advisory committee b
Secretary of Agriculture Ezr
Taft Benson.
The committee will work o
a program to help the Commod
ity Credit Corporation dispos
of its stocks of cotton in a man
ner "to serve the best interest
of the government and all seg
ments of the cotton industry,'
>{ eaeration. Mr. Bras zA_id..-.
amlIton. lrec o researcli; toIc .
For this 'reason, "farmers cannot expect to be able to
trade farm products for industrial goods on satisfactory
terms if other sectors of the economy are 'to be allowed to
engage in monopolistic or restrictive practices," he said.
FARM EUREAU, Mr. Hamilton
said, "has long supported effec-
tive legislation to prohibit the
exercise of monopoly power. We
believe that our American sys-
tem of regulated, competitive,
private enterprise has been a
prime factor in the development
of the United States. That is, we
believe in Competitive, private
enterprise with enough govern-
ment regulation (1) to prevent
the abuse of monopoly power in
natural monopoly situations and
(2) to encourage competition in
all 'other types of economic ac-
tivity:'
Mr. Hamilton tokd the Com-
mittee members the authority
and ability of the Federal Trade
Commission and tle Department
of Justice to deal with monopoly
d ;restrictive ,iractices should
be" 'suppor` "'.irid 'enhanced."
The AF1? ' ceonomist told the
Congressftien that farmers are
"
opposed to so'called "fair trade
retail price firing.
"One of ttie fundamental de-
fenses of A-e profit system is
that competitive forces will com-
pel the pa ing along to consum-
ers of savings which may be
made as result of increasing
efi ciencytm production and dis-
tribution S Mr. Hamilton de-
clared.
Another specific field to which
he called the committee's at-
tention` is "the discriminatory
rate koposals that ocean ship-
ping conferences"- are endeavor-
ing to establish to avoid the com-
wevent -..BB Institute CPYRGHT
Draw ance Of 300
Near y Bureaus
and the Americ "' ureau Federation- att ded the
eleventh annual alrau Institute at Purdue Univer-
sity, Lafayette, India---; , - Wk.
The Institute is tiede provi e i truction
to key Farm Bureau per 1 ha ed with the
~r, ra is within
responsibility for training
their respective states. Ina r w re State
FB officers, Board members, k er a d other
leaders. ?
The week-long Institute fea- enf6l. em.
tured general assembly sessions (2) Maximum rs nal free-
and discussions on the basic dom.
concepts of government, the capi- (3) Private ow ers i ,of prop-
talistic system and the Farm erty and tools o pro uc n.
Bureau. (4) An open ree market to
Daily classes provided in-serv- determine prices.
ice training for the students. Dr. Benson sal A erica's na-
Evening, sessions were. in the tional income t s t at of the
nature of seminar groups. next ten countri s to ether. He
The daily assembly sessions pointed out that his record was
featured addresses by outstand- made possible 1 cau a the in-_
ing educators. dividual in America is able to
CHRISTIANITY is a way of own property a d h s personal
life that is more compatible freedom,
with the free enterprise system He said Russia is h ngry tods
than with any other, declared in spite of an a nd ce of S.
Dr. Clifton L. Ganus, Jr., dean materials. The eas for d
of the school of American studies Dr. Benson said, is t at ther
at Harding College, S e a r c y, no profit motive. He lso blk
Arkansas. Christianity and the Russia's proble lay
free enterprise system look upon freedom for indi idu I ini'
the individual as being sacred and abgence of p to
and having great value, he said individual intent e. or
at the vesper service which The American ay Is
.
opened the Institute. on three pillars, Dr. Bet,'
In Christianity and free enter- Glared. He liste th se as (1)-'P~
prise "we have the greatest sys- faith in God, ( co stitutional
tems in the world." But, he con- government, and (3) rivate en-
tinued, both of these systems terprise econom
need to be studied and under- It- is not too la e to reverse the
stood. trend to socialis , d Glared Dr.
Cautioning his audience that Ivan R. Bierly f 71 e Founda-
Christianity and free enterprise tion for Econo c E ucation in
can be lost by default, Dr. Ganus an address at the Ins itute.
said "we give up our systems He pointed out that it isn't too
when we do not take part. You late "so long as t ere re persons
are either for it or against it. like you intere ted in under-
You accept or reject. There is standing the na e aid the price
no neutrality." of freedom, and In ncouraging
tin chiefUUtefests 9f.,manlt,
personal freedom and economic
well-being-Dr. George Benson
Eternal vigilance is necessary
to maintain these interests, said
Dr. Benson, who is president of
Harding College.
He outlined the basic concepts
of good government as: '
(1) Equitable basic written
laws higher than the people who
Senate Approves Highway Bill;
Rejects Clay Committee Proposal
By a decisive vote of 60 to 31 the Senate last v'-1,
rejected a proposal to substitute the Clay Committee h.
way recommendations for the bill (S. 1048) reported
the Senate Public Works Committee. The Senators the...
approved S. 1048, a measure introduced by senator Albert
Gore (D.) of Tennessee. .
The Gore bill provides for a five year highway construc-
tion program. In the past, highway legislation has always
involved a two year period. The Clay Committee proposal
would have provided for a ten year highway construction
program, financed by bonds with a maximum maturity of
32 years. These bonds would not have been considered a
petition of independent shipping
:
co Panics
HAMILTON declared that STUDENTS ATTENDING THE AFBF INSTITUTE at Purdue University last week examine supple-
.,_,
Tabor groups as well as industry mentary reading mdental Montana 1 SFB; Bill Hoover, director of information, Texas groups. Shown (left to right) are
4Te engaging in monopolistic George Diehl, p
Ifitch, president, Tennessee FBF; Leland Beebe, organization director, Vermont SFB; and Carl Bow-
practices.practices. feather- Amni'ove`tfi' or Release member.
9/09/24: CIA-RDP83-00423R002000080003-81
bedding and make-work rules,
and industrywide bargaining all
seem to us to be practices that
restrain trade to the detriment
of the public welfare," he
pointed out.
Industry-wide bargaining, he
said, "contributes to the growth
of industrial monopoly by mak-
ing it more difficult for smaller
companies to get sympathetic
union consideration of their in-
dividual problems. This con-
ceivably could force individual
companies to go into bankruptcy
or merge with others."
This practice, he emphasized,
"encourages trends which make
it easier for big labor and big
business to dominate our entire
(See MONOPOLY, Page 87)
Farm Output
States each farm worker pro-
duced enough for himself and
seven other people. Today each
farm worker produces enough
for himself and eighteen other
people.
Senate Price Support
Hearing Begin June 1
The Senate Agriculture Com-
mittee will begin a series of
detailed hearings on the entire
subject of government price sup-
ports and adjustment programs
for agricultural commodities on
Wednesday, June 1.
The first series of hearings will
be devoted to consideration of
proposals for a certificate (three-
price) plan for wheat.
Farm Bureau testimony in op-
position to the three-price plan
for wheat is scheduled for press
entation on Friday, June S.
part of the federal debt.
THE GORE BILL increases the
federal authorization for primary,
secondary and urban highways
from $700 million a year, as pres-
ently provided, to $900 million a
year. It retains the provision
requiring the states to match the
federal allotment of funds for
construction of highways.
S. 1048 provides $1 billion for
the interstate highway system
(a designated 42,500 mile portion
of the primary system) for fiscal
1957, the first year of the pro-
gram, $1.25 billion the second
year, $1.5 billion the third year
and $2 billion during the fourth
and fifth years. Present legis-
lation provides $175 million for
the interstate system.
The matching provision with
respect to the interstate highway
system is 90 percent by the
federal government and 10 per-
cent by the states. This compares
with a 60-40 arrangement con-
(See HIGHWAY, Page 87)
 Aoved,For Release_1939/p~/~4 ~~1,~rRfQ04i2$F~QQ00080003-8 May 30, 1955
FB Wants ' Wheat wipers To Ha 'Clear
? 'In Mar Referendum
r~Quota
Choke
When wheat farinerso Mlle national wheat referendum this summer they must
lT themselve5at kin of a wheat program they want. Farm Bureau has long
held that farmers should de` mine the level of price supports and the corresponding de-
gree of producffve c tr i,
Recentl armureau asked Congress to enact a positive program where farmers
-
could make 'a~tzclear~o____ _-Farm Bureau's proposal is discussed fully in the following
questions and a
Q. What is the purpose of
Farm Bureau's fgislative pro-
posals for whe~t?
A. The rurpose is to give
--heat 1rmers a clear choice
,Znational wheat marketing
,c115ta referendum to be held this
summer and to make certain
that there will be a program if
quotas are voted down.
Q. When will the referendum
be held?
A. It will be held June 25,
1955.
0. What Is the choice now pro-
:aided by the law? .
. A. It is between (1) market-
eluding areas where conditions
are suitable for the production
.of other crops. As a result acre-
age allotments would be under-
planted ip a large number of
states. ,
Q. Then, why increase the na-
tional acreage allotment?
A. In order to allow farmers
in the commercial wheat area
enough acres to maintain an ef-
ficient size of business.
Q. Is this program consistent
with Farm Bureau's long-stand-
ing policies?
A. Yes, it provides that farm-
ers themselves would have an
opportunity to determine t h e
level of price support and the
corresponding degree of produc-
tion control.
Q. If the Farm Bureau pro-
gram is adopted by Congress and
becomes a part of the wheat
quota referendum this summer,
will Farm Bureau urge farmers
to vote for or against marketing
quotas?
A. Neither. Farm Bureau will
not advise farmers whether or
not to vote for or against mar-
keting quotas. This is something
that each individual should de-
cide for himself.
Here's Where The Bills Are Now
Legislative Status
Friday Morning, May 27, 1955
(Many bills of interest to farm families have been intro-
duced in Congress. Most of those not listed in this column have
not been scheduled for hearings or consideration by any Con-
gressional committee and are therefore relatively inactive.)
Changes from-last week's status are shown in italic type.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
H. R. 1-provides for a three year extension of the Re-
ciprocal Trade Agreements Act-passed by House and Senate
and sent to Conference Committee-Farm Bureau, supports.
(See NEWS LETTER, May 9, p. 73; May 2, p. 72; Mar. 14, p.
41; Feb. 28, p.l 33; Feb. 14, p. 28; Jan. 24, p. 13.)
H. R. 6040-provides for simplification of U. S. customs
procedures-House Ways and Means Committee held hearings
-Farm Bureau supports. (See this issue, p. 88.)
PRICE SUPPORT AND ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMS
H. R. 12 provides for amendments to. Agricultural Act
of 1949 with respect to price supports for wheat, cotton, corn,
rice and peanuts by providing rigid supports at 90 percent of
parity for 1955 crops (now supported at from 821/2 to 90 per-
cent of parity) and extending this support through 1956 an(1
1957 crops-passed by House-Senate Agriculture Committee
has announced hearings beginning June 1-Farm Bureau op-
poses. (See this issue p. 85, and NEWS LETTER May 23, p.
81; May 16, p. 77; May 9, p. 73; Apr. 22, p. 65; Apr. 4, p. 53;
Mar. 28, p. 49; Mar. 21, p. 45; Mar. 14, p. 41; Feb. 28, p. 33
and 34.)
H. R. 6407-provides for choice in wheat marketing quota
referendum between (1) quotas with national acreage allot-
ment of 55 million acres and price support between 75 and
90 percent of parity and (2) no quotas with national acreage
allotment of 62 million acres and price support at 65 percent
of parity-Farm Bureau supports. (See this issue, p. 85 and 86.)
SELECTIVE'', SERVICE ACT
H. R. 3005-provides for amending the Universal Military
Training and Service Act by extending induction authority to
July 1, 1959-passed by House of Representatives-Senate
Armed Services Committee plans hearings later this month-
Farm Bureau opposes bill and seeks amendment to call young
men,. whenever possible, before their 23rd birthdays. (See
NEWS LETTER, Feb. 14, p. 25; Feb.. 7, p. 21.)
H. R. 5297-provides for military reserve units-reported
by House Armed Services Committee-pending in House-
Farm Bureau has opposed compulsory induction into reserve
units. (See NEWS LETTER, Mar. 7, p. 40.)
RECLAMATION
H. R. 5881-provides for, development of small water
projects in all 48 states-reported by.House Interior Commit-
tee-passed by House with amendments-Farm Bureau sup-
ports amendment to delegate authority for administration in 31
Eastern states to USDA. (See this issue, p. 87, and NEWS
LETTER May 16, p. 78.)
S. 405-provides for development of small water projects
in 17 Western states-Senate Interior Committee completed
hearings-Farm Bureau supports extension, to all 48 states.
(See NEWS LETTER, Apr. 4, p. 53; Feb. 14, p. 28.)
H. R. 103-authorizes Irrigation districts to assume re-
sponsibility for construction and administration of new. water
distribution systems-passed by House and Senate-Farm Bu-
reau supports.
COMMODITY EXCHANGE ACT
H. R. 122-places onion futures trading under Commodity
Exchange Act-passed by House-Farm Bureau supports. (See
NEWS LETTER? May 16, p. 78; Feb. 21, p. 29.)
FARM LABOR
H. R. 3822-provides for 31/2-year extension of authority.
for Mexican Farm labor program -reported by House Agricul-
ture Committee-Farm Bureau supports iidefinite, extension.
(See this issue, p. 88, and NEWS LETTER,Mar. 21, p. 46.)
FARM CREDIT
S. 1286 and H. R. 6158-provide for increased borrower
participation in management and control of federal Farm
Credit System-House and Senate Agriculttre Committees
held hearings-Farm Bureau supports. (See tlis issue, p. 88.)
HIGHWAYS
S. 1048-provides for expanded federal program of high-
way construction, ..with federal expenditures of 9(2.58 billion
over a 5-year period-reported by Senate Public Vorks Com-
mittee-passed by Senate-House Public Works Committee
holding hearings-arm Bureau opposes. (See this isue, p. 85,
and NEWS LETTER, Apr. 4, p. 53; Feb. 28, p. 361
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
S. 153 and H. R. 5376-provide for use of a mdernized
formula for the allocation of REA funds among the ;tates-
S. 158 passed by Senate-H. R. 5376 reported by Houe Agri-
culture Committee-Farm Bureau supports.?(See NEW) LET-
.TER, Apr. 25, p. 67; Mar. 28, p. 51.)
NATURAL GAS
Various bills-provide for exemption of field plies of
natural gas from federal regulation-House Commerce Com-
mittee held 'hearings-Senate Commerce Committee iI con-
tinuing hearings-Farm Bureau supports. (See NEWS IJET-
TER, May 16, p. 79.)
MARKET FACILITIES
H. R. 4054-provides'for federal mortgage insuwance for
improvement and develolment of marketing faciities for
handling perishable farm products-House Agriculttre Com.
mittee held hearings-Farb, Bureau supports. (See this issue,
p. 88.)
Expansion Of Markets Helps Farmers
AndProcessors.ShumanTellsCanners
Farmers and canners are in "It concerns you first as
partnership in the production of Americans interested in the
processed fruits and vegetables, whole direction of our national
AFBF President Charles B. economy. The route of high rigid
Shuman told the National Can- price supports, involving what
hers Association at Washington, amounts to government price
D. C., on May 20. filing, is the route to a socialized
"Both have an interest in mak- economy.
ing this partnership work bet- "Variable price supports, ad-
ter," Mr. Shuman emphasized. vocated by the American Farm
"Canners, of course," he point- Bureau Federation, are designed
ed out, "represent an important to keep us on the route of eco-
market for the products of our nomic, not political, determina-
farms. tion of prices and production.
"We want to improve our re- This, we are convinced, is the
lationship with you and to make way to better farm income and
our partnership even more prof- better standards bf living.
itable to both parties," he con- "As processors of fruits and
tinued. vegetables you are specifically
"Growers are entitled to know and directly concerned with the
as much as possible about the question of diverted acres.
supply and demand situation of "THE AMERICAN Farm Bu_
the various canning crops, in reau Federation favors restric-
order that they can make sound Pion on the use of acreage di-
decisions. verted from crops under market-
keep Bureau is helping to ing quotas. Such restrictions
keep growers well informed by would prevent the use of such
issuing special processing vege- acreage in competition with
table reports during the active fruit and vegetable producers.
quotas and a national acre-
allotment of 55 million acres
a minimum price support of
=ast 75 percent of parity and
no marketing quotas-but
le, acreage restrictions and
fin price of only 50 per-
, r hand
e
hig
er
wheat than the present law? growing season. We appreciate "This problem of competition
is competition
A. Yes, it would be 65 percent the cooperation of the National from s diverted problem
of parity instead of 50 percent. Canners Association in supply- froamore of how rigid an ex-
Q. Would all producers be ing us with helpful information supports, accompanied y
eligible for this higher support for use in these reports. price ce controls, not oy the pro-
price? "We recognize that prices are
A. No, only those who co- not set either by growers or by ducers but other of seg the ments of supported crops
the econ-
-
operate with the acreage allot- processors. The consumer de- omy a wseg nt of the entermines the prices of our com- ogram.
Would the Farm Bureau modities. Our greatest common plained.
"There are at least four re-
program also provide an increase interest is in expanding our quirements for a really prosper-
O,eoo
tn acreage allotments? markets. Sus agriculture: expanding
A. Yes, it would raise the na- "We know that satisfactory markets,, both foreign and do-
d an-
c
T -^
t3a fri ty, on the o
program, if enacted by Congress,
give farmers a clear choice in
the referendum?
A. It will. permit them to
choose between (1) a national
acreage allotment of 55 million
acres of wheat and a minimum
support price of 75 percent of
parity and (2) a higher acreage
allotment and a lower support
price, on the other hand.
Q. What would the support
price be if quotas are vote d
down?
A. Under present law it would
be apout $1.19 per bushel; under
the Farm Bureau's recommend-
ed program it would be about
$1.55 per bushel.
Q.' Then, i f farmers r e j e c t
market nl quotas, the Farm Bu-
reau pi'ograni would provide a
level of price support for
h
tional acreage allotment from 55 farm income depen s -
mestic, competitive pricing
million acres to 62 million "har- sumer markets, not on govern- throughout the economy, efficien-
vested" acres if quotas are voted ment aids. Our major efforts are th th of the individual economy,
er, and
down. devoted to building grater o
he oQ. Would this add to the markets, not to getting money a " healthy FARMERS national l economy.
increased
wheat surplus? from the government," Mr. Shu-
A. Probably not. More wheat man declared. their efficiency some 70 per cent
will be fed if quotas are voted "The commodities which spe- in the last 15 years. We have
down than if they are approved. cifically interest you, as canners, produced the largest volume. of
In addition, a price support level are not direclty involved in the farm: products in history with
of 65 percent of parity probably price support program, but the the smallest labor force on rec-
would discourage the production price support issue concerns you ord.
"As farmers strive to reduce
of wheat, in marginal areas in- nevertheless. their production costs, they must
AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION'S-
Official News Letter
Editorial offices at 425 13th St., Curtis Hatch, Wisconsin; Charles
N.W. Washington 4, D. C. Pub- Marshall, Nebraska; E. Howard
lishetl weekly, except the last
week in December, in Washing- Hill, Iowa; H. E. Slasher, Mis-
ton. General offices of American souri. Western Region: George
Farm Bureau Federation are at H. Wilson, California; Ralph T.
Merchandise Mart, Chicago 54, Ill, Gillespie, Washington; Delmar
Entered as second-class matter Roberts; New Mexico; Ray V.
at the post office in Washington,
D. C., under the Act of Congress
of March 3. 1879.
Subscription price, $1.50 per
year.
AFBF Officers-Charles B. Shu-
man, President; Walter L. Ran-
dolph, vice President; Roger W.
Fleming, Secretary-Treasurer.
AFBF Board of Directors-
Charles B. Shuman, Walter L.
Randolph, Mrs. H a v e n Smith,
Chairman, American Farm Bureau
Women's Committee. Northeast-
ern Region: Warren W. Hawley,
New York; George C. Dudley,
Connecticut; Wilson A. Heaps,
Maryland; Lorenzo D. Lambson,
Massachusetts; Herbert W. Voor-
hees, New Jersey. Midwest Re-
gion: Hassil E. Schenck, Indiana;
Swanson, Idaho; Arthur L. An-
dersen, Colorado. Southern Re-
gion: Lewis F. Allen, Kentucky;
J. Walter Hammond, Texas- B.
Flake Shaw. North Carolina; 'Bos-
well Stevens, Mississippi; H. L.
Wingate, Georgia. FB young
people's advisory member, Rich-
ard Every, Oklahoma.
American Farm Bureau Wom-
en's Comm i t t e e-Mrs. Haven
Smith, Nebraska, Chairman; Mrs.
Ernest Nedeaa, New Hampshire,
Vice Chairman; Northeastern Re-
gion, Mrs. Robert B. Crane, New
Jersey; Midwest Region Mrs.
Harold Robison, Ohio; *estern
Region, Mrs. Ben C. Kohrs, Wy-
oming; Southern Region, Mrs.
Eugene Jones, Oklahoma.
have the cooperation of her
groups in attempting to make
their products available to con-
sumers at reasonable prices.
"The American Farm Bureau
Federation condemns monopoly
pricing in business, labor, agri-
culture and government. If we
in agriculture are to continue
to emphasize low cost produc-
tion for a free market, we must
insist on free, competitive pric-
ing in industry and labor.
"Government has a responsi-
bility to maintain an economic
climate in this country which is
favorable to expanding consump-
tion, maximum freedom of oper-
ation in agriculture and all other
business, and preservation of the
incentive system which has
helped to give this country world
leadership."
.Approved For Release `1999/09/24: CIA-RDPR3-00423R002000080003-8
Approved
 Approved Gnr Rnln~-cneliQQQ{AQrf7M?.121A_ClF1~QRef1Ar14~C?llAR1oooo AAA2_S2
House Of Representatives Approves
Small Wafer Projects Bill
The House of Representatives last week approved the
'enactment of H R 5881 generallY referred to as the l!ma11 `yv~
Water Projects Bill. The vote was 166 to 48.
The American Farm Bureau Federation has. favored
the enactment of this bill. It involves a major change in the
PRW toward the development of our water 'resources
for irrigation and related purposes.
Under the provisions of the bill the primary responsi-
bility .for the construction and administration of a project
must be assumed by a local organization from the beginning.
H. R. 5881 would authorize
loans to local agencies for that the Watershed Protection and
portion of the cost of a project Flood Control. Act and the Wa-
which would be reimbursable if
the project was being constructed
by a federal agency. This would
include, for example, any por-
tion of the project involved in
irrigation' or domestic water sup-
-ply. It any portion of the con-
struction of a project approved
under the bill is properly allo-
cable to flood control, navigation,
or other nonreimbursable fea-
tures, a grant covering that por-
tion of the cost may be made to
the local organization. This is
exactly the same procedure as is
now followed with respect to
reclamation projects constructed
by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Total federal participation in
any single project may. not ex-
ceed a total of $5 million.
The bill applies to all 48 states.
This is a major change in federal
policy. In. the past all irrigation
legislation has been confined to
the 17 Western states.
,FARM BUREAU has favored
the expansion of the program to
all states, since in recent years
irrigation has been demonstrated
as a practicable and economic
practice in a great many areas.
The interest of people from
eastern areas in irrigation devel-
opments and the extent to which
irrigation has been increasing in
such areas is one of the signifi-
cant' trends of American agri-
cult
ure:
The significant amendment to
the bill was offered by Congress-
man Robert E. Jones (D.) of
Alabama, It was overwhelmingly
approved by the House. The orig-
inal bill as reported by the
'House Interior Committee had
provided that the Department of
the Interior would administer
the program in all areas.
,The Jones amendment provides
that in the 31 eastern states the
program should be administered
by the Department of Agricul-
ttfre. The Jones amendment was
strongly supported by AFBF.
The Jones amendment was fur-
ther amended to include Texas
among the states in which the
program would be administered
by the Department of Agricul-
tur.
Congress has already author-
ized a substantial participation
by the Department of Agricul-
ture in water resource develop-
ment by, enactment in 1954 of
ter Facilities Act. Sound devel-_
opment of water resources nec-
essarily involves integrated de-
of watershed areas.
velopment
The extension of the authority
of the,Bureau of Reclamation in-
to the 31 eastern states, -would,
,have involved a, continuing con-
flict between the ,Bureau of Rec-
lamation and, the Department of
Agriculture. Farm Bureau rec-
ommenaed that the logical way
to resolve this conflict and to
insure the integrated develop-
ment of our water resources is
to place the responsibility for
the administration of both laws
in the same Department.
It will, of course, be true that
there will continue to be a con-
flict in the 16 western states
between the programs of the
Department of Agriculture un-
der the Watershed Act and the
Water Facilities Act and the
program of the Department of
the Interior under the Small
Water Projects Act.
While this is true there is not
likely to be the same degree of
conflict in the western area, (1)
because there are large amounts
of public lands administered by
the Interior Department in the
west, and (2) because in most
.western areas the primary need
is irrigation, with flood control
and other related features of
. , XI;-., :..,
less significance.
The Senate Interior Commit-
tee has completed hearings on a
similar proposal, S.405. But the
Senate has not yet taken any
action on the extension of. the
Act beyond the 17 western
states.
SECURITY-*** ..
ago
THE ONLY TRUE SECURITY
IS IN WELL TRAINED HANDSAND MINDS;
IN A% r.NTHUSIAsric sPIRIT imrENT ON MAKING
THE BEST OF EACH OPPORTUNITY;
IN THE CONFIDENce THAT COMES FROM FAITH IN GOD
IN FREEDOM IN A PEACEFUL WORLD."
-CHARLES B,SHUMAN
Here's More About-
'Eleventh .AFBF Institute'
(Continued from Page 85)
others to do likewise." day afternoon
Dr. Bierly is executive secre-
tary of the Fogndation, which is
l o c a t e d at Irving-on-Hudson,
New York.
A belief in the inherent worth
of individual personality is nec-
essary if the trend to socialism is
to be reversed, Dr. Bierly stated.
"It follows," he said, "that
whatever an individual produces
is rightly his own, to do with as
he sees fit. To deny this is to
deny his individual nature, be-
cause unless his property is his
own, he cannot be independent
of =those who have a prior claim
on his property."
He explained that more and
more, people are turning to gov-
ernment to make their decisions.
He pointed out that the schism
splitting the world today is be-
tween state control of the means
of production and individual de-
cisions in the market place.
"THE INDIVIDUAL cannot
remain an individual and dele-
gate to another his responsibility
to make decisions, without tak-
ing the consequences," Dr. Bierly
declared.
"If we are to maintain our free
enterprise capitalistic system, we
must allow the pricing system to
operate in normal times," Dr. J.
Carroll Bottum told the Thurs-
day assembly.
Dr. Bottum is Assistant Head
of Agricultural Economics at
Purdue.
"We must allow private prop-
erty, individual initiative and
competition," he declared.
"We should develop our pro-
grams to facilitate the operation
of the free pricing system."
He pointed out that, in times
of emergency, it may be neces-
sary to use temporary measures
inconsistent with the capitalistic
system. But they should be so
recognized and limited to emer-
gencies, he said.
Graduation exercises on Fri-
brought the Insti-
The consensus of opinion of
the students was that the Insti-
tute "couldn't have been better."
The Southern region had the
most states represented-12. The
Western region was second, with
10 states; Midwest, 9; and North-
east, 7. With 138 ',present, the
Midwest had the largest number
of students. The South had 68,
West 42 and Northeast 12.
Here's More About-
-Monopoly'
(Continued from Page 85)
economic life, and should be pro-
hibited."
The Farm Bureau spokesman
said farmer cooperatives have
"little opportunity" to achieve
monopolistic power because "the
freedom of entry into agricul-
tural production and marketing
is so great."
"If there is any agricultural
product, the price of which is be-
ing unduly enhanced in this pe-
riod when we are struggling with
surpluses and a price-c o s t
-squeeze," he declared, "we are
sure -that thousands of farmers
who are looking for something
they can produce on the land
that is being diverted from the
production of basic crops under
government production control
programs would like to find out
about it."
The New Hampshire FBF re-
cently received a $100 contribu-
tion from Mr. and Mrs. Leon
Reade-long-time Farm Bureau
members-to be used in helping
pay off the mortgage on the
NHFBF building.
With the addition of three
new groups, the California FB
Young People's Department is
now actively organized in 13
counties. Newcomers who re-
cently joined the ranks are Sut-
ter, Tulare and Stanislaus Coun-
ties.
FOR PROMOTING BETTER UNDERSTANDING between farm and
city people, the Indiana Farm Bureau has been awarded a "Certif-
icate of Public Relations Achievement" by the American Public
Relations Association. J)ht H. Smith, immediate APRA past pres-
ident, is shown congratulating Norman H. Shortridge (right), Indiana
FB public relations editcr, while Glenn W. Sample (center), Indiana
FB director of informatbn,'looks on.
Arkansas FBF Begins
Radio Tape Service
The Arkansas FBA' has initiat-
ed a tape service to radio
stations. The format is a discus-
sion of current national issues of
interest to farmers, as related to
Farm,Bureau policies.
Fourteen stational, are now us-
ing the service, which is prepared
by W. J. Whorton director of
information.
$225.5 Million Worth Of Farm
Commodities Sold For Foreign Money
USDA reported last week that
the total to date of programs for
the sale- of surplus agricultural
commodities abroad for foreign
currencies under Title I of Pub-
lic. Law 480 (Agricultural Trade
Development Act) amount to
$289.5 million (CCC cost) and
$225.5 million (export market
value).
Included in these pro ams are
approximately 27.6tmill n`bush-
els of wheat, 40.2 million pounds
of tobacco, and 412 thousand
bales of cotton.
Other commodities sold under
the program include feed grains,
rice, dairy products and' vege-
table oils.
Nations participating in the
program, in order of dollar vol-
ume, are Yugoslavia, Italy, Paki-
stan, Turkey, Spain, United
Kingdom, Israel, Argentina, Fin-
land, Chile and Peru.
Approved For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP83-00423R002000080003-8I
ra!gM
Here's More About--
'Highway
(Continued from Page 85)
tained in the Federal Aid to
Highways Act of 1954.
The Gore bill provides that
funds shall be denied states
which increase weight, length
and width limitations above the
higher of (1) those provided by
the state law as of July 1, 1955,
or (2) those recommended by the
American Association of State
Highway Officials.
The Gore bill also provides
that upon request of a state the
Secretary of Commerce may ac-
quire limited access rights-of-
way and transfer such rights-of-
way to the state. Where state
legislation does not provide for
control of access, the federal
government would retain the
outside five feet on each side of
the right-of-way, to permit con-
trol of access until such time as
the state legislature has enacted
legislation for state access con-
trol.
BEFORE APPROVAL of the
bill it was amended in several
significant respects.
One of the amendments deleted
the authority contained in the
Gore bill for the federal govern-
ment to acquire easements. along
the right of way to prevent or
c o n t r o l advertising in areas
adjacent to interstate hghw ys.
Another amendment struck out
the proposal in the bill that the
Davis-Bacon Act would be ap-
plicable to interstate highway
construction. This Act requires
contractors to pay such prevail-
ing wage rates as are established
by the Secretary of Labor.
THE SENATE also rejected an
amendment to provide for the
payment of a federal license fee
for trucks using the interstate
highway system.
Farm Bureau opposed the Clay
Committee and the Gore pro-
posals. But FB considers the
Gore bill far more acceptable
than the program recommended
by the Clay Committee. Farm
Bureau is opposed to application
of the Davis-Bacon Act to high-
way construction and is opposed
to federal licensing of trucks.
The Gore bill differs from the
Clay Committee proposals in
several major respects. Under
the Clay Committee proposal all
of the increased funds from the
federal government would have
been devoted to the interstate
highway system. The amount of
federal funds provided for the
primary, secondary and urban.
systems would have been frozen
by the Clay Committee proposals.
The Gore bill, on the other hand,
provides a $200 million for th&
federal contribution to primary,
secondary and urban roads.
THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE
between the two proposals, how-
ever, is that the Clay Committee
would have established a federal
corporation to borrow money for
a 32 year period, secured by
dedication of the federal gasoline
tax revenues. The Gore bill fol-
lows the usual practice of past
highway legislation. Funds ap-
propriated by the bill are from
'the general fund, rather than
from the earmarked revenue of
the federal gasoline tax.
Fewer Horses In World
As Tractor Use Climbs
World horse numbers con-
tinued to decline during 1954,
USDA reports. Declines in re-
cent years have been general in
North America and in Western
Europe.
However, horses have been on
the increase in Eastern Europe
In 1954 there were 74,500,000
horses in the world. This is about
22 percent less `than before
World War II.
Farmers in the U. S, operate
60 to 65 percent of all the trac-
tors used an farms in the world.
 Market. Facilities Act
Gets Farm Bureau Support
Legislation to help local people renovate "antiquated
and obsolete" wholesale market facilities has received Farm
$,tt~;g4 pport.
.P T RI-A recent House Agriculture Committee hearing,
Farm Bureau supported H. R. 4054-a bill to encourage the
improvement and development of marketing facilities for
handling perishable farm products.
The bill would provide federal mortgage insurance for
the construction of new markets,
"Although tremendous progress
has been made toward increasing HouseCommittee
the efficiency of production and
marketing of perishable agricul- Reports Mexican
'tural commodities, in many of
arm Labor Bill
The House Agriculture Com-
mittee has voted to favorably
report the Mexican farm labor
bill-H. R. 3822-with these
amendments:
(1) Authority for the program
is extended for 31/2 years (until
June 30, 1959), instead of for an
indefinite period as provided in
the original bill.
(2) The so-called "double in-
demnity" is eliminated. Under
present legislation farmers are
sometimes called upon to pay
return transportation of a work-
er to Mexico when he has already
paid such transportation but the
Mexican worker did not return.
(3) An amendment offered by
Rep. Victor L. Anfuso (D.) of
New York was approved. It pro-
vides -that; in determining the
need for Mexican workers in an
area and in determining wages
being paid domestic workers for
similar work (Mexican nationals
must be paid going wages), the
Department shall provide "for
ucts must still move 'through
antiquated and obsolete whole-
sale market facilities originally
constructed many decades ago,"
Farm Bureau said.
"Needless to say, these ob-
solete facilities take an unneces-
nary toll of all produce passing
through the markets. The costs
of such waste are shared by
producers and consumers."
"The problems to be overcome
in the development of modern
wholesale markets are many and
varied," the AFBF , statement
pointed out. "The difficulty of
financing more adequate facili-
ties is one of the problems to be
considered in each instance. The
eiihactment of H. R. 4054 would
help to minimize this particular
difficulty by authorizing mort-
gage insurance."
Farm Bureau recommended
one amendment to the bill-a
change in the maximum mort-
gage period from 40 to 30 years.
-"In some instances rapid ob-
solescence will outdate the facil-
ity before 40 years has elapsed,"
Farm Bureau said.
FB Backs Customs
Simplification
Legislation
The American Farm Bureau
Federation told the` House Ways
and Means Committee last week
thaC'1proper administration of
our customs laws" are as impor-
nee
ons o
ca
respect to cert
tant as-the systematic reduction
of tariffs in the Administration's ` and "determinations of prevail-
foreign trade program. ing wage rates."
In a statement filed with the The actual language of the
Committee, John C. Lynn, AFBF revised amendment does not pro-
legislative director, 'urged Con- vide that Labor Department
gress to pass H. R. 6040, the officials must follow any proce-
C u s t o m s Simplication Act of dure that they have not been
1955, as the next step in building following. The significant things
a consistent national trade pol- about the action of the Commit-
tee are (1) that the Committee
icy. felt they had to amend the bill
The Farm Bureau spokesman in some manner to please labor
pointed out that the House of unions and (2) that the revised
Representatives had passed simi- bill could be an opening wedge
lar legislation in 1953. His state- for more comprehensive proce-
ment disciosbd that a Bureau of dures for determining needs for
Customs survey, has subsequently workers and going wage rates.
revealed that the enactment of The bill is expected to reach
the measure would not work a the floor of the House within the
hardship on any segment of in- next two weeks. It is possible
dustry. that further efforts to amend it
Mr. Lynn called the current may be made then.
provisions of the customs law During 1954, 310,000 Mexican
"obsolete." He strongly support- nationals were brought into the
ed the new bill's provisions for United States for temporary
eliminating the use of "foreign agricultural work. Present legis-
value" w hen determining the lation authorizing the program
worth of goods being imported expires December 31, 1955.
in the U. S.
"The use of 'export value' best
reflects commercial value," he Peanut Import
said, "because it determines
price for quantities in which the Quotas Lifted
product is normally sold in ex-
port."
By eliminating the confusion
and delay resulting from the
current law, he added, "addi-
tional import sales will be made
possible and additional d o 11 a r
credits will be available to pur-
chase our export products."
Rice Price Supports
USDA has announced a mini-
mum national average support
price of $4.66 per hundredweight
for 1955 crop rice. This is 85
percent of the April 15 , parity
price.
consultation with agricultural
employers and workers for the
purpose of obtaining facts rele-
vant to the supply of domestic
farm workers and the wages paid
such workers engaged in similar
employment."
The Anfuso amendment is a
considerably revised and wa-
tered-down version of an amend-
ment sought by labor unions to
require the Department of Labor
to provide for "consultation with
management and labor" with
President Eisenhower has sus-
pended all quota limitations on
imports of shelled peanuts until
July 31.
But peanuts imported during
this period will be subject to an
additional duty of two cents per
pound. The basic duty is seven
cents per pound.
Mr. Eisenhower's proclama-
tion was basest on a recommen-
dation by the U. S. Tariff Com-
mission. The Commission had
recommended the suspension of
import quotas on all peanuts,
but the President's action applies
only to shelled peanuts.
f
d
ifi
ti
Connecticut FBA
Naies Field Director
George Simpson, Jr., has joined
the staff of the Connecticut
Farm Bureau Association as
field service director. His activi-
ties will include establishment
of discussion groups in each
county.
Mr. Simpson will also activate
the CFBA's commodity pro-
grams.
A graduate of the Lyman Hall
High School in Wallingford, he
majored in dairy farming at the
University of Connecticut. After,
leaving college, he became a
partner with his father in the
operation of a 50-cow dairy
farm.
Mr. Simpson is married and
has one son.
003-8
May 30. 1955
Farm Bureau Offers Views
On Rice Growers' Problems
Two major objections to a multiple-price plan for rice
were raised last week by the American Farm Bureau
Federation.
But Frank K. Woolley, AFBF legislative counsel, told a
Senate Agriculture Committee hearing that Farm Bureau
has "no specific position" on such a plan.
AFBF has vigorously opposed
a multiple-price plan for wheat.
Mr. Woolley noted that the
multiple-price rice plan-like the
three-price wheat program -
could be regarded as "dumping"
by foreign countries.
"We can expect affected na-
tions to retaliate if we dump our
products," he declared.
"THE PROBLEM of making
an equitable division of the
domestic market between pro-
ducers who npw sell varying
percentages of their production
to domestic consumers is by no
means minor," Mr. Woolley con-
tinued,
"We have seen no evidence to
indicate that the growers who
have domestic markets that have
been developed through the
promotion ' of cooperative and
company brands, would be will-
ing to pay !,a tax to finance pay-
ments to growers who produce
largely for export."
At the same time, the Farm
Bureau spokesman noted that "a
multiple-price plan for rice would
have relatively little impact on
the U. S. market for other com-
modities, whereas a multiple-
price plan for wheat would dump
surplus-wheat into the domestic
AFBF Asks Benson To Support
Non-Highway Gas Tax''Exemption
The American Farm Bureau Federation has asked
Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson to support
legislation to exempt non-highway-used gasoline from the
federal gasoline tax.
John C. Lynn, AFBF legislative director, wrote Mr.
Benson that numerous bills to accomplish this objective
d
d
uce
have already been intro
Senator Harry F. Byrd (D.) of
Virginia, chairman of the Senate
Finance Committee, has already
indicated that his Committee
will hold hearings on this subject,
Mr. Benson was told.
FARM BUREAU has asked the
Secretary to represent the inter-
ests of farmers in any consider-
ation of the matter by the Presi-
dent's cabinet.
Farmers are now being taxed
from $40 to $60 million each year
for gasoline used on the farm,
the AFBF letter said.
"Farmers should pay an equi-
table share of the cost of ?build-
-ing highways as determined by
their proportionate use of high-
ways. But this $40 to $60 million,
paid as a tax on a. farm produc-
tion supply, has no relationship
to the use of highways," Mr.
Lynn wrote the Secretary.
"GASOLINE is the major
source of power on the farm. If
power used on the farm is to be
taxed to build highways, it would
be just as equitable (or inequi-
table) to tax oil used for heating,
coal used for making steel, diesel
fuel used in locomotives, or elec-
tric power used to produce
aluminum, and to use the tax
revenue thus acquired to build
highways.
"But there is no relationship
between any of these sources of
power and the use of highways.
Nor is there any relationship
between gasoline used on a farm
as a source of power and the use
of highways.
"In short, it. is our viewpoint
that the tax on non-highway-
used gasoline is inequitable and
discriminatory."
"We would therefore like to
urge," Mr. Benson was told,
"that you undertake to obtain
the fadcption of an Administra.
tion policy that non-highway-
used gasoline should be exempt
from the federal gasoline tax."
FB Backs Bills
To Improve Farm
Credit System
Passage of two bills-H. R.
6158 and S. 1286-to provide for
increased borrower participation
in the management and control
of the Farm Credit System was
recommended by the American
Farm Bureau Federation at re-
cent hearings held by the House
and Senate Agriculture Commit-
tees.
AFBF Legislative C o u n s e l
Frank K. Woolley told the hear-
ings that the three parts of the
system-production credit asso-
cations, national farm loan asso-
cations, and banks for coopera-
tives-should be considered as a
unified whole.
The Farm Credit System gains
strength from the interrelation-
ship of -all its parts, he said. Its
success rests on its decentralized
organization and on the investing
public's faith in its soundness.
Farm B u r e a u recommended
amending the two bills to delete
a provision which would give the
federal government a contingent
interest in the reserve funds of
the banks for cooperatives after
the original federal funds have
been repaid to the government
by the cooperatives who-,obtain
credit from this branch of the
system. The Farm Credit Board
has made a similar recommen-
dation.
World Cotton Crop
World cotton production in
1954-55 is now estimated at 36.8
million bales, USDA reports.
World cotton production in the
past three years has exceeded
world consumption by one to
three million bales per year.
feed market in competition with
other feeds.
"It should be noted also," he
continued, "that (1) there is no
international agreement affect-
ing rice prices while there is an
International Wheat Agreement;
(2) U. S. supplies are smaller in
relation to world trade in the
case of rice than in the case of
wheat; (3) the administrative
problems involved in a multiple-
price program would be easier to
handle in the case of rice, be-
cause rice is a much smaller crop
than wheat, has fewer uses than
wheat, and must pass through
dryers, a fact which would fa-
cilitate the checking of com-
pliance."
"Our general policies are such
that we could not support a mul-
tiple-price plan for rice unless
our Board were to find that the
rice situation involves special
considerations which justify an
approach that we oppose for
other commodities," Mr. Woolley
told the Committee.
"Accordingly, we believe that
serious study should be given to
alternative possibilities for rice."
One possible alternative, which
the AFBF legislative counsel
suggested, is a program like
that now in effect for corn.
"THE CORN PROGRAM has
agreat deal more flexibility," he
pointed out. "Since corn is not
subject to marketing quotas,
there is less pressure for produc-
ers to reduce production and
more opportunity to adjust
support prices if supplies ac-
cumulate.
"In a sense, the corn program
actually gives growers an op-
tional two-price plan. Those who
comply with their allotments are
eligible for price support-those
who exceed their allotments
must take their chances on the
market, which may be lower."
"In the long run, lower support
prices would mean larger export
markets and consequently larger
allotments for U. S. growers.
Putting rice on the same bAls
as corn, that is, on acreage allot-
ments and variable price sup-
ports without marketing quotas,
would give producers the oppor-
tunity to decide individually
whether price support is worth
the cost in terms of reduced
acreage," the Farm B u r e a u
spokesman declared.
But he said this would not
necessarily provide a complete
or permanent solution to the
present rice problem.
Mr. Woolley indicated that the
AFBF Board of Directors is
studying the problems of rice
growers. "We will make more
definite recommendations as soon
as possible," he told the Senators.
J. C. Crill, California
FB Leader, Dies
An automobile crash in South-
ern California has cost the life
of an outstanding Orange County
Farm Bureau worker, John C.
Crill of Garden Grove.
Mr. Crill, who was 74, played
an important part in establishing
the former citrus committee of
the American Farm Bureau Fed-
eration. He served for several
years as its first chairman. He
also helped to establish the
Orange County Farm Bureau in
1918 and was its president in
1931, 1932 and 1935.
U. S. exports of cottonseed
oil last year were the largest on
record,
For Release 1999/09/24: CIA-RDP83-00423R002000080003-8'