Evening star., 1940-01-11
S07 Million Sought
For Farm Benefits
By Federation
Trade Poets Extension
Fovored by Delegation
At White House
rican Farm Bureau Fed

The American Farm Bureau Fed
Grafton, largest organization repre-
sentative of the agricultural industry
of the Nation, today advised Presi-
dent Roosevelt it will insist upon
congressional appropriations of
$807 100000 for various farm bene-
fits.
At the same time, through a dele
cation calling upon the President at
the White House, the federation in
formed him of its approval of the
reciprocal trade agreements program
and declared it should be extended
for another three year period.
Relative to their proposed farm
benefits, for which they said they
would favor tax legislation If neces-
sary. the delegation estimated that
s607 600, 900 should be devoted to
parity payments to producers Of
basic crops under the provisions Of
the Agricultural Adjustment Admin
istration and the remaining $780,
100000 to be devoted to dairy and
other non-basic products. In addi-
ton, they specified, the anticipated
appropriation under the Soil Con-
servation Act should not be cur
tailed
Breakdown Of Proposed Payments.
Basing their estimate of needs
upon farm prices as of last Decem-
ber Is, the group broke down their
proposed parity payments as fol-
lows: Cotton, s242,OO0,0O0; corn
$4,000, 900; wheat, $l21, ,00O, 900; to-
bacco, sl4,0O0,0OO, and rice, $12.-
$1,000.
These commodities account for
about two-thirds of the Nation s
agricultural production.
1t was emphasized that the sums
mentioned would be for payments
on next years crops. with an ex-
listing appropriation of s225, 900 900,
made by Congress last summer, be-
ing needed for this years produc-
ton.
The farm delegation did not sub
NIT any concrete tax recommended
ton if revenue legislation is found
necessary, but upon emerging from
the White House, a spokesman said
they would approve levy based on
ability to pay. An extra individual
income tax was mentioned as a
possibility.
Resolution Submitted.
On the question of a reciprocal
trade treaty program, the group
submitted a resolution of support
containing the following paragraph:
international trade and good
will have been promoted as result
of the reciprocal trade agreements
program. These agreements have
proved helpful rather than hurtful
to agriculture. The Trade Agree
ments Act should be extended for
another three-year period, but all
agreements should receive the unan-
imous approval of the Secretaries of
State, Agriculture and Commerce.
No agreement with respect to any
agricultural commodity should be
consummated which will have the
effect of forcing or holding the
price of such commodity below par
ity price"
In another resolution, the group
spoke favorably of the Federal Land
Banks, intermediate Credit Banks,
the Banks for Co-operatives and the
Production Credit System. The most
effective continuance of these in
struments, it was proposed, would
be effected by placing complete ad-
responsibility in the
hands of board of governors, as an
independent Government agency.
The group also called for strength
ening the antitrust laws and for
modification with regard to farm
labor Of both the National Labor
Relations Act and the Wages and
Hours Act.
The delegation visiting the White
House was headed by Edward A.
O'Neal. The federation claims to
represent 100000 farm families in 40
States.