Evening star., 1946-01-21

relief shipments. 1t Is currently
estimated that from 7 to 10 per cent
of the total United States food sup
ply may be exported in the calendar
year 1946. -
Agricultural production goals for
1916 call for somewhat greater acre
age than actually was planted in
1945. Agriculture Is prepared to
demonstrate that it can make a
peacetime contribution as great as
its contribution toward the winning
of the war.
Promises Farm Price Support.
The first obligation Of the Gov
ernment to agriculture for the re-
conversion period Is to make good
on its price-support commitments.
This we intend to do, with realistic
consideration for the sound patterns
OF production that will contribute
most to the longtime welfare of
agriculture and the whole Nation.
.
What We seek ultimately is high
level Of food production and con-
sumption that will provide good
nutrition for every one. This can
not be accomplished by agriculture
alone. We can be certain of our
capacity to produce food but we
have often failed to distribute it
as well as we should and to see that
our people can afford to buy it. :
For example, one of the best pos
sible contributions toward build
ing a stronger, healthier Nation
would be permanent schoolslunch
program on a scale adequate to as
sure every school child a good
lunch at noon. The Congress, of
course, has recognized this need for
continuing school-lunch program
and legislation to that effect has
been introduced and hearings held.
The plan contemplates the attain
ment of this objective with a mini
mum of Federal expenditures. I
hope that the legislation will be
enacted in time for a permanent
program to start with the beginning
Of the school year next fall. .''
Favors Aid to State Works.
with regard to national re-
sources, the President recommended
a national inventory of lands, min
erals and forests. He also urged
continuation of Federal devel-
opment of hydroelectric power.)
,(The President recommended
that Congress continue Federal aid
to States in carrying out public
works programs, including high
ways, airports, housing, schools and
health centers.)
Last September I stated in my
message to the Congress that hous-
ing was high on the list of matters
calling for decisive action.
Since then the housing shortage
in countless communities, affecting
millions of families, has magnifled
this call to action.
Today we face both an imme-
diate emergency and a major post
| war problem.
A realistic and practical attack
on the emergency will require ag-
gressive action by local govern
ments, with Federal aid, to exploit
all opportunities and to give the
veterans as far as possible first
chance at vacancies. 1t will require
continuation of rent control in
shortage areas as well as legisla-
ton to permit control of sales prices
It will require maximum conversion
of temporary war units for veterans
housing and their transportation to
communities with the most press
ing needs; the Congress has already
appropriated funds for this pur-
pose.
Ceilings on Real Estate.
Legislation is now pending in the
Congress which would provide for
ceiling prices for old and new
houses. The authority to fix such
ceilings is essential.
Such measures are necessary stop
gaps-but only stopgaps. This emer-
gency action, taken alone, is good
but not enough. -
Production is the only effective
answer. To get the wheels turn
ing, I have appointed an emer-
gency housing expediter. I have
approved establishment of priorities
designed to assure an ample share
Of scarce materials to builders OF
houses for which veterans will have
preference. Additional price and
wage adjustments will be made
where necessary. and other steps
will be taken to stimulate greater
production of bottleneck items. ]
recommend consideration of every
sound method for expansion in IA
| cilities for insurance Of privately
financed housing by the Federal
Housing Administration and re-
sumption of previously authorized
low-rent public housing projects
suspended during the war.
Legislation now under considera-
ton by the Congress provides for a
! comprehensive attack Jointly by pri-