Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-11
Form and Food
Program

Food is a primary weapon Of
war An adequate food supply
IS, therefore, a basic aspect of a
total war program. I have placed
in the hands Of the Secretary of
Agriculture full responsibility for
determining and fulfilling the
food requirements in this war.
Our agricultural production is
larger than ever in our history,
but the needs of our armed serv-
ices and our Allies are so great
that a shortage of certain foods
Is inevitable. The production OF
the less-needed commodities must
be reduced, while the production
of commodities for war and es-
sential civilian use must be in
creased. 1t is imperative also
that this increased demand for
food be adjusted to available
supplies. There will be sufficient
volume in our bill Of fare, but less
variety. That may hurt our
taste, but not our health.
To facilitate this program, I am
recommending appropriations for
aids to agriculture totaling $751;
100000 for the fiscal year 1914.
Among the major items included
in the 1887 900 900 total are $780,
100000 for conservation and use
Of agricultural land resources;
1874 100000 for parity payments
on the 1912 crops, and SGT, 900 900
for expectation and domestic
consumption Of surplus commod-
tiles. Other large items included
are $64, 000,0 900 for payments I'M
der the Sugar Act, $38, 900 900 for
the Farm Security Administra-
ton and $31 ,000,O00 for reduce
tons in interest rates on farm
mortgages.
Prior to the 1943 appropriation
acts, annual appropriations for
parity payments were made q
year in advance OF actual need,
and acreage allotments for the
year ahead were used as 4 fac
tor in determining payments on
the crops of the current year.
In the 1943 budget and appro-
priation acts, provisions were
made to insure that all factors
used in determining the amount
OF parity payments on the crops
OF given year would pertain to
the program of that year. Also,
to bring this item into conformity
with our general budgetary prac-
tice. the annual cash appropria-
ton for parity payments was
omitted, but the secretary was
authorized to incur contractual
obligations assuring the Coop
Grating producers Of cotton, corn,
wheat, rice and tobacco that such
payments would be made, if and
as necessary, on their 1912 crops.
The appropriation now re-
quested, therefore, is simply the
amount estimated to be necessary
to compensate the producers of
corn, wheat and certain minor
types of tobacco for the disparity
between the market returns from
the normal yield Of their 1912
allotted acreage and the parity
price return from that produce
ton. 1t Is expected that no par
ity payments will be necessary on
the 1912 crops of cotton, rice and
most types Of tobacco. &
Since the established national
policy is to assure the Cooperate
ing producers Of these basic crops
parity prices on the normal yields
OF their allotted acreages, I am
again recommending that the
authority to incur contractural
obligations for such payments on
future crops be renewed.
On the other hand, / am rec
ommending . reduction Of 50
million dollars In the appropria-
ton for conservation and use Of
agricultural land resources. I am
also directing the Secretary Of
Agriculture to utilize the 400 mill
lion dollars stil provided under
this heading % fully and effec.
lively q the bahc law VIII psr-