Evening star., 1945-09-06
Governments Role Transition Peacetme Economy Outlined
Continued From Preceding Page.)

~ ~
Continued From Preceding Page)
ployment Service to the States. Ul-
timately it should be so returned.
However, it should be continued
under Federal control at least until
the expiration of the War Mobiliza-
ton Act-June 80, 1947.
I also recommend that its appro-
priation be increased by $4,000, 900
for the current fiscal year. Prompt
action on this matter is especially
important since personnel and facili-
ties must be quickly enlarged to
handle the rising tide of veterans
and war workers who will be seeking
jobs.
9. Agriculture
One of the most magnificent pro-
duction jobs in the war has been
done by the farmers of the United
States. They have met the unprece-
dented demands of the war and, at
the same time, have provided our
civilian population with more food
per capita than during the 1868
prewar period.
No other group in America labored
longer or harder to meet the war
demands put upon them. Food
production last year reached a peak
more than third above the prewar
years despite the fact that farm
population has declined by about
5000, 900 since 1910.
fortunately, farmers were aided
by better-than-average weather
conditions over the country. We
cannot, however, count on continu-
ance of better -than-average weather.
Therefore, because of the great de-
mands for food that exist in this
country and for relief abroad, the
Department of Agriculture is plan
ming for another year of full pro-
duction. This does not mean the
same volume of production for each
individual crop, because the sur
render of Japan has. brought
changes in the demand pattern. But
the total acreage needed for next
year will not be greatly different
from this year.
The Government now must be
prepared to carry out the Nations
responsibility to aid farmers in max
ing their necessary readjustments
from wartime to a peacetime basis.
The Congress already has provided
postwar supports against price COL
lapse for many farm products. This
was provision of wisdom and
foresight.
Will Protect Farm Prices.
After the First World War farm
prices dropped more than so per
cent from the spring of 1920 to the
spring of 1921. We do not intend
to permit a repetition of the dis
aster that followed the First World
War. The Secretary of Agriculture
has assured me that he will use all
means now authorized by the Con-
gress to carry out the price support
commitments.
But there is need for additional
measures to strengthen the ma
chinery for carrying out price
support commitments, and for lay
Ing the basis for broader peacetime
markets for agricultural products.
The Congress already has pro-
vided for one such postwar measure
that needs now to be adapted to our
changed situation. Recognizing
that the lease-lend program re-
quired greatly increased production
and that this increase could not be
suddenly discontinued when the
program stopped, the Congress
wisely set aside s5Oo,oO0 900 of lease
lend funds for price support of
farm commodities. This money is
now available for the purpose for
which it was intended, but in order
that 1t may be used most effectively
whenever the need arises, recon-
mend early legislation which would
make those funds available to the
Commodity Credit Corp. on con-
tlnuing basis. Such action would
reaflrm the specific intent of the
Congress as to the use of this money
In safeguarding farm prices.
Strengthening the machinery for
carrying out price-support commit
ments is one measure necessary to
safeguard farm prices. Stimulation
OF the export of farm commodities
is another. More food is needed in
the war-ravaged areas Of the world.
In the process of meeting relief
requirements abroad, we have the
opportunity of developing export
markets for the future.
Face Difficult Problems.
The farmer has always faced GER
tain specific problems which are pc
culiar to his occupation. His crops
are at the mercy of the weather.
The factory owner and the worker
at the machine have available to
them insurance programs which
protect them from losses. Our
farmers have the right to the same
kind of protection. Strengthening
and further development of crop
insurance for farmers, organized
and backed by the Federal Govern
ment, can give them this protection.
A well-rounded CROP insurance pro-
gram, together with the assurance
OF reasonable and stable farm prices.
Will go long way toward meeting
basic problems which have plagued
farmers in the past.
Much that has been ACCOMPLISHED
during the war was made possible
by the wise national program in
support of scientific research in
agriculture and forestry, and by the
program for the conservation and
improvement of our soil and forest
resources. These policies have paid
large dividends during the war. We
ought to continue and strengthen
them.
Within recent years the Congress
has enacted various measures which
have done much to improve the
economic status of this country's
farmers and to make rural living
more attractive. In enacting in
dlvldual pieces of legislation it has
not been possible to make adjust
ments in existing measures in keep
ing with the changing pattern of
needs. The Secretary of Agricul-
ture is now re-eyan,ipip1 av;et;,,