The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-09-07
Explains in Much Detail deo Behind
Distribution of Surplus Commodities

mentS in all of the states of the
Union, and the cost to the states is
only portion of the expense of dis
trlbution. The federal government
pays the railroad on the shipments
to the points of destination. and even
carries the bigger part of the cost
of distribution to the consumers by
furnishing WPA employees to the
state distribution agencies.
Distribution of Commodities i'm
Montana
The State Department of Public
Welfare is the distribution agency
IN the State of Montana, and sep
arate division is set up for this
program under the administration
of Mr.. Dwight Long. During the
last fiscal year, the retail value of
surplus food products distributed in
this state exceeded SI,186,000, and
the value of clothing and household
articles distributed exceeded $780,
600, making the total value of these
commodities considerably more than
S1,500,000 These commodities were
furnished to an average of more than
$4,000 families per month, embrac-
ing in all 90,733 persons, or approx
mately one-sixth of the entire pop
ulation of the state of Montana
1t is worth noting that the total
value of the commodities distri-
buted averages nearly~ sl7.00 for
each one of the 90,733 recipients.
This is particularly significant when
we bear in mind that these COM
modities are not given out as sub
stltutes for other forms of assist
ance, but are distributed in addition
to the other kinds of public aid. I
A person receiving old age assistance
or aid to dependent children NAV
receive surplus commodities when /
needed.
The Principal Commodities
Distributed
Measured both by quality and by
cost, the principal commodities dis
trtbuted throughout the nation and
the state rank as follows. Fruits,
cereals, rice and flour, vegetables.
dairy products. and eggs. The dairy
products consist of butter, cheese.
Try skim milk and milk in its nat
lral state
ALI Purchases Made by the
Corporation
The mistaken notion that the
state Department of Public Wei
are does the purchasing is quite
prevalent The idea is entirely err.
'oneous, The purchasing is a ma
ion-Wide program and is handled !
and exclusively by the Fed
sral Surplus Commodities Corpora
ION. II the purchasing function
we're entrusted to the orty-eight
'tates Of the Union great confusion
md numerous abuses would result
Through the Department of Agri-
'ulture IN the various states, the
corporation obtains some informa-
ION IN regard to existing SURPRISES.
tut the determination Of what com
nodities are to be purchased and
where they are to be purchased rests
'ntirely with the Federal. Corpora
ion
Regulation of Distribution
Detailed rules for distribution,
PARTICULARLY as to the quantities that
nay be distributed to families of
Inherent size, are prescribed by the
FEDERAL Corporation and not by the
tate agency These regulations
hange somewhat from time to time
Is absolutely necessary that these
equations shall be prescribed BY
ne Federal agency in order that
hey may be In full conformity with
FEDERAL legislation and be impartial
Q all the states. The nation wide
experience Of the Federal Corpora
ION also enables ii SO to formulate
Is rules and regulations as to pre-
ent numerous abuses that would
therWlse creep in. The State De-
artment Of Public Welfare through
he caseWorkers in the Sc counties !
| the state examine applicants for !
urplus commodities and decide !
yhether or not they are eligible to r
ecelve this form Of aid
Purpose of the National Program i
The complaint is persistently :
iuaC tiial ilBt IudHtllleS OI ITulI,
vegetables and other food staples are
flowed to rot and spoil while mil :
ions Of human beings live in want. :
The Federal Curplus Commodities
corporation attempts to make these !
So quantities off VI fIUiesoYnu fyJou !
yailable for hungry people This
prevents mountains of food from
polling and millions of people from :
differing II improves the daily diet
nd raises the standard of living of .
t least ten million persons through
ut the United States.
To persons engaged in welfare t
work, sensitive to suffering and 1
ager to add to human happiness, .
his one purpose and result will
tand out as foremost. But the {
program also has other detectives.
Aid to Producers
Beneficient as these results are :
0 the consumer, the results from .
he program are almost equally
Helpful to the producer. AS al
'eady indicated, fruits and vege-
ables are two of the PRINCIPAL com