Evening star., 1947-08-03
Rural Problems Get
Careful Scrutiny at
Farming Institute
By james BirchfieId
Ster staff Correspondent

BLACKSBURG, Va, Aug. O.
Virginia rural leaders-rnembers of
| farmer groups and home demon
stration clubs throughout the State
who attended the three-day In
stitute of Rural Affairs at v. P. I.
this week were returning home to-
day aware of the problems that
must be solved in the development
of peacetime agriculture.
This years institute was the first
since 1941 and 14th of the annual
affairs started by DR.. John r.
Hutchinson, former State Extension
director and president of the Vir-
ginia Polytechnic Institute.
Here this week more than 700
rural leaders heard a procession of
speakers authorities In their re-
spective fields - discuss problems
affecting rural health, housing,
economics, agriculture and new
sources of revenue to pay for ex-
panding public services. .Demonstra-
tions and visits to the v. P. I.
experimental farm were sandwiched
between round table discussions
held In campus buildings.
Health Facilities Sought.
Considered by leaders as one of
the most important phases of the
institute were the discussions of
problems Of rural health. 1nade-
quate health facilities, it was said,
are hampering rural development in
Virginia.
DR.. H. B. Mulholland, assistant
dean of the University of Virginia
Medical School and chairman Of the
Virginia Council of Health and
Medical Care, explained that facili-
ties must be made available to
attract physicians to rural areas
He said the council expects to ask the
next session of the General Assem-
bly, to increase health appropria.
tions to provide for health depart
ments In all Of virginias 10t
counties. Now only go counties have
departments.
He said the council also will ask
for more than the 5000 900 now pro-
vided for medical care for indigents
and will seek expansion of the pro-
gram TO provide medical examina-
tions for school children.
i DR.. Mulholland said efforts would
be made to conduct an experiment
in medical insurance in one or more
counties. At present, he explained
it is estimated that this insurance
would cost $50 year per family
The experiment would determine
exact costs and If there would be
the necessity for State subsidy.
! Parity Charges Discussed.
Agricultural economic problems
were highlighted by discussions OF
the parity formula and Of the inter.
national influences on farm prices.
Discussing parity, DR.. Louis F
Hermann of the National Coop
erative Milk Producers Association
pointed out that the present parity
formula is sure to be changed within
the next two years. He said there Is
strong support from certain groups
for a parity formula based on in
come from various crops. Against
this, however, there is widespread
acceptance of a proposal to raise
parity prices generally by basing the
formula on more recent price
averages.
DR.. O. G. Stine, assistant chief o1
the Prices and Marketing Division
Of the Bureau of Agricultural Eco.
nomics, said that adjustments must
be made in domestic agriculture az
recovery goes forward in foreign
countries. He said there will be q
demand for at least another yeal
for all products now being produced
on American farms.
,, Even now" he said, "the United
States is not producing large enough
quantities of some farm crops fol
normal domestic and foreign de-