The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1941-06-05
Benton Goes
2tolforWheat
Allotment
Grange Leader
Tells of Parity
Price Plans

/ SbdVc anu udClOn, benton county
wheat farmers, nevertheless, voted
almost two to one for the wheat al
lottment plan last Saturday. The
vote in this county was ll2 to go
against, according to the tabula-
tons made by the local agency. The
plan carried by better than 80 per-
cent over the country.
1.-THE nations wheat farmers, by
voting to ! in favor Of marketing
quotas have availed themselves OF q
two-price program that will prevent
world SURPRISES from depressing the
American price Of wheat, declared
Henry p. Christensen, acting master
Of the Washington State Grange
today.
AT the same time ;" he contin-
ued, they have accepted q plan,
which, If carried through to its logi-
cal conclusion, will prove the wis
dom Of making 1t possible for farm
ers to get parity price on the do
mestically consumed portion OF their
products, and at the same time
eliminate dole payments"
Christensen explained that the gov
eminent will now loan IS percent OF
parity on wheat marketed within
specified acreage allotments-an
amount per bushel based on the
l909-l9l4 ratio Of the price of wheat
to the index Of other commodities
and labor wages. The IS percent
loan, coupled with AAA allotment
and parity payments, will bring the
price Of wheat marketed within the
allotment to total Of approximate
ly $li4 a bushel.
The loan value, plus AAA allot-
ment and parity payments, win
roughly approximate the cost OF
production figure which we have
constantly sought" the grange lead
er stated. "The next step is to place
a floor" under the farm price, bas-
ed on the average cost of produc-
ton, and thereby eliminate the need
for AAA allotment and parity pay
mentsp "
Christensen emphasized that the
present IS percent of parity loan IS
applicable only to wheat, cotton.
corn and tobacco. No other COM
modities are directly affected. Even
with the four commodities mention
ed" he said, "the result should not
affect prices to consumers material
ly because only fractional parts of
bushels or bales are used in the
manufacturing the various units of
consumer commodities such as flour.
bread or cotton cloth. For instance,
bushel Of wheat will make about
80 one pound loaves Of bread, so that
the cost Of the wheat needed for a
oaf Of bread. even at $l.l4 a bu..
viii be only l9 cents, or an increase
Of about 3 10 Of a cent per loaf over
wheat prices"
Christensen, a wheat and live
stock producer himself, expressed
over the outcome of the
Wheat referendum, but made It clear
hat he considered 1t "but a major
tep toward true parity income for
we must remember that produc-
rs Of other farm commodities are
till largely at the mercy of world
market prices, while they are pur-
hasing their needs on protected
omestic market. The result Is a
ondition Of serious unbalance that
an be remedied only by placing all
commodities upon cost Of produce
on price basis as far as the domes-
c market is concerned.
Producers Of dairy products. live
,ock, fruits, grains. hay and other
ops are just as much entitled 20
,st Of production prices and mimi
um wages on protected domes-
market as manufacturers and or
lnized labor Unless farmers are
to attain normal Ameri-
IN standards Of living, the Nation
lnnot be strong in its defense ef-
TT, Tor the American farmer Is po-
g TO be the backbone of national
'fense. If we guarantee him a price
'oVe cost Of production upon the
marketed portion of his
ooucts, and store the remainder or
II 1t into world trade for whatever
will bring, SURPRISES will be no
use for worry. Agricultural income
II reach parity with the income
industry and labor and America
II be In excellent position for any
Referring to recently adopted
minimum prices established by the
s. Department of Agriculture on
ch essential foods as butter, eggs.
rk and chickens, Christensen said
e prices were arbitrarily fixed at
els too low to return the produc-
his cost Of production, while leay-
; him entirely wothout any as
'ance that he would be reimbursed
the cost Of expanding his farm
mt for the increased production
Continued on Page 81