Evening star., 1949-08-26
party0ffieiaIs Prepare
To Sell Farmers on
Brannan Support Plan
BY the Assoeioisd Press

nan sent his farm price subsidy
proposal out on the road yester-
day in the hope that farmers will
give 1t a warmer reception than II
got in Congress.
He Is looking toward next years
session and the 1850 and 1852
political campaigns.
His salesmen are key Demo-
cratic Party officials from 16
Midwestern and Western States
They had come here for meeting
Of the Democratic National Com
mittee. Mr.. Brannan gave them
a pep talk yesterday at the May
flower Hotel.
Mr.. Brannan said he is pretty
sure the farmers will approve his
plan as soon as they understand
lit. He didn't say whether that
was the reason Congress hasn't
approved it. Some Of the biggest
farmer organizations have given
1t 4 chilly reception. too.
Program Outlined.
The nub of the Brannan plan
Is q fair return" for the farmers
and lower food prices for con-
sumers. The spread. If any,
would be absorbed by the taxpay-
ers, which, Of course, include
both farmers and consumers.
Secretary Brannan advocated
dropping the Government pur-
chase and loan programs which
now prop up the price Of perish
able farm products. (The taxpayer
pays for any losses on these sup
port operations too, Of courseD
Instead of being propped up, the
perishables would be sold for
whatever they would bring in the
market. If the average price re-
ceived by farmers fell short of a
previously set fair return" stand
ard, the farmers would get Treas
ury checks for the difference.
The Midwestern Democrats are
going right out to the county fair
grounds to plug for this program.
Mrs. India Edwards. director of
the Women's Division Of the Ma
tional Committee, said leaflets and
exhibits are being prepared to
show the farmer what the plans
about.
Mr.. Brannan gave his helpers a
hint on salesmanship. Don't refer
to abundant harvests as surpluses.
he said; call them blessings both
to producers and consumers"
Sees Orderly Control.
The Secretary said some people
had criticized his plan as regimen
tation. but he said he regards the
compliance necessary to put it into
effect as lust orderly control by
farmers of their own production
to meet demands"
Mr.. Brannan indicated that he
isn't chained irrevocably to his
plan.
when somebody comes up with
4 better idea we'll drop this right
In the middle of the road and
take the new idea on he said.
While the Secretary was looking
beyond the immediate future,
Congress faces the question Of
what to do about farm prices now.
Unless House and Senate get
together on a bill, the Aiken law
passed by the Republican 80th
Congress will 60 into effect next
January I. This authorizes, flexible
price supports. ranging from so
to 90 per cent of parity. Parity is
q price calculated to give farmers
a fair return on their produce in
terms Of things they have to buy
at the store.
The House voted to repeal the
Aiken law before 1t takes effect,
and continue for another year
the current high-level price sup
ports, which are 90 per cent of
parity for major crops.
The Senate Agriculture Commit
tee ended hearings yesterday on a
proposed compromise plan. 1t
would provide supports at IS to
80 per cent of parity for six basic
crops. and so to 30 per cent
for others.