Imperial Valley press., 1942-07-15

anxious 10 lOlu uOWH lIlt COSU VI
these foods, seriously concerned over
how the big crops of grains to be
harvested this year are to be stored
on top of the SurpluseS already
bursting the seams of every elevator
and corn crib in the land, thinks
some of this surplus grain should
be sold below parity.
THEY'D TELL EN-
The American Far Bureau in
sists that none of this surplus grain
shall be sold at less than parity,
war or no war, price settings or no
price ceilings. The Bureau, in other
words, takes the stand that it is
bigger than the government and
will distate to the Congress what
shall be done on this issue.
Just what is this American
Farm Bureau Federation and
how does it get that way? Con-
servatively speaking, it is the
most powerful lobby in Wash
ingtOn. Organized labor may re-
present more members-1O mil
lion against the Farm Bureaus
SOC, ,O00-and labor may have
more sympathiZers in the eXecu-
tive branches of the govern
ment. But the Farm Bureau
likes to think il calls the signals
for the legislative end of the
government and that ii is in
position to dictate policy to the
Department of Agriculture.
This isn't so surprising. Secre-
tary Wickard, Clifford Townsend,
director of agricultural defense re-
lations, and other big shots in the
Department were members of the
Federation even before they came
to Washington. The Department
and the Federation have fought and
slept side by side for establishment
of the parity principle. In about 10
mid-Western farm states, the Fed
Grafton actively contributes to the
support of the county agent system
and has semi-official standing un-
der the laws of these states, going
back to the days when the county
agents were first being establish
ed. And as far as Congress is con-
ctrned, this is an election year,
and the weight and influence these
local Federations pack at the coun-
ty level, where they run effective
cooperative buying and marketing
enterprises, is tremendous.
SIGNIFICANT SIGN
To find the Department OF Ag-
riculture now bucking the Farm
ureau Federation is therefore signl-
ficiant. AS far as the Farm Bureau
! is concerned, it has to keep on
fighting for parity or pass out OF
the picture. The Washington lobby
lists and the leaders of the Fedora
ton simply couldn't hold their jobs
If they tried to sell the membership
on a Look -What-We- -for-you-
last-year" basis.
But the question arises as TO
whether the Farm Bureau lead
ers. President Ed O'Neal of Ala
bama and Vice President Earl
G.. Smith of Illinois, who is also
president of the Illinois Agri-
cultural Association and the
real boss of the Federation, may
not be laundering themselves
on this surplus feed issue.
Assurance is supposed TO nave
been given that a presidential set
to would be forthcoming if Congress
| should pass q bill preventing sale
! Of surplus grain at beloW-parlLy
prices for feed or the production OF
grain alcohol. Either Way-Whether
! Congress or the President takes the
responsibility for permitting below
parity sales the Farm Bureau
! chieftains stands to be discredited
before their membership. But don't
sell 'em short E. ONeal, who Is
the backslapping fiXer with the
cotton bloc and Earl Smith, who
represents the corn and wheat men
and Is the brains Of the team, both
pack more weight in Washington
J than John l.. Lewis ever did at his
/ best.
WASHINGTON GOLLYS
There's a shortage of skin men
and skeleton assemblers-n not
in the undertaking business - for
aircraft assembly. Maritime Com
mission will award a distinguished
service medal to merchant seamen
heroes. The first all-girl Civil Air
Patrol squadron, Of 70 members, is
credited to Cleveland, o. A new
synthetic fiber is being developed
from peanut protein. A synthetic
straw. made from rayon, is being
introduced in the millinery industry
Manufacture of anklets, as substi-
tute for feminine hose, has been