The people's voice., 1939-12-13

serve democratic processes, p1
for all the people, and mainta
The following national legislation
was recommended:
l. The Farmers Union debt adjust
ment plan embodied in SB 2549 and
section 81 of SB 1864 pending before
the rules committee of the house of
house Of representatives.
2. A Farm Tenancy act embodied In
SB 1886.
8. The Farmers Union dairy bill,
HR $500.
4. The Farmers Union cotton in.
come certificate plan embodied in SB
2434.
5. The Farmers Union wheat in
come certificate plan embodied in SB
q 1896.
G. Similar legislation for flax, rye,
barley rice and other commodities.
Pending the enactment into law of
the foregoing legislative proposals we
request that loans made by the Com
modify Credit Corporation shall be at
1870 of parity permitted under the
present law.
Amendments
Declaring its belief that with all its
faults, present laws affecting agricul-
ture should not be repealed because
of some advantageous provisions con-
tanned in them, the organization went
on record in favor of the following
amendments to the laws themselves
and to their administration:
L. Payments to co-operators in the
soil conservation program should be
made on the basis of needed soil con-
servation practices and should be sep
arated from commodity income pro-
grams.
2. Expansion of the program of the
Farm Security Administration to meet
the needs of our farmers with ,partic-
ular reference to farm tenancy, debt
adjustment, land utilization, mortgage
refinancing abilitation, and emer-
gency relief.
g. Transfer of the Farm Credit Ad-
ministration to the Department of
Agriculture which had demonstrated
through its administration of Farm
Security Administration it's capacity
and intentions to deal sympathetically
and intelligently with the problems
besetting those farm people of the |
country, who through drouth, insect |
pests, low prices and other causes, |
have been reduced to abject poverty. |
4. Use of co-operatiyes wherever |
available and serviceable and assur- |
ance that the government stay out of |
the field of agricultural distribution of |
agricultural commodities the congress
has provided directive language to use
producers cooperative associations
when practicable. In too many in
stances federal agencies have wanton-
ly evaded the intent of congress that
producers cooperative associations,
when available should be used.
5. Continuation of the Federal Sur
plus Commodities Corporation and an
expansion of the STAMP Plan" as a
method of distribution.
6. Usefulness of the Rural Electrifi-
cation Administration should be ex- .
panded and accelerated
7. Revision of the Crop Insurance (
act insuring the top 1870 of the loss; 8
providing that in determination of
loss. quality, as we'll as quantity be s
considered; providing that indemnities {
paid be eligible to commodity loans c
and that the crop insurance program r
be extended to other basic commodi- O
ties at the earliest possible date. /.
s. Opposition to the assignment of d
any payment made under the various b
federal farm programs except for the
purpose of paying crop insurance pre- g
niums for which congress has already q
made legislative provision. D
Historic Stand "
The Farmers Union clearly reaf- :, y
irmed its historic stand, not only on :
matters of national Importance to !,
lgriculture but on matters pertaining =
o the general welfare and rights of ~
Ill people. This reaffirmation adopted :.
~ the convention follows: l.,
l. Protection of the family-sized h,
arm shall be a constant and primary tr
'olicy and aim in the formulation,
administration of all farm
egislation. .
2. Administrative personnel of fed !
raj farm programs should be farmers +
emocratically elected insofar as le q
ally possible; all other administra- =
i've personnel should be persons who
Understand, participated in and are .
to farm organizations and ~
ne cooperative movement
3. Adequate and effective legisla- GC
on which will make possible the tn
apid development of the cooperative ca
lovement, and which will protect CO. re-
peratives in their infancy from large lal
Established enterprises. %
4. Protection of the domestic mar is
ct for American agriculture. lie
5. Permanent adjustment of interest pre-
ties on the federal Indebtedness of lie
sriculture to those rates enjoyed by rel
'ivate industry /
6. Levy of all taxes on the basis un'
ability to pay. Continued ability to the
ly must be based on net income, it
I'd we are unalterably opposed to sta
~ system of taxation not based upon Bri
is principle. Since a sales tax has But
storically been the method used to viii
tort revenue from those least able cas-
pay, we reiterate our continued and can
nsistent opposition to that tax tho
7. Refinancing of farmers indebted 7
ss at low interest-amortized repay bal;
mt plan-funds provided by govern pub
mt issue of currency. to I
;. Restoration to congress of the the
ver to coin and regulate the value
money. N