The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1952-08-01
Democratic Party 49,.
THE AMERICAN FARMER AND
AGRICULTURE


We know that national prosperity depends upon a
vigorous productive and expanding agriculture
We take great pride in our party's record OF per-
Torrance and in the impressive gains made by Amerl-
agriculture in the last two decades. Under pro-
grams of Democratic Administrations the net agrcul
tra income has increased from less than billion
dollars to almost Is billion dollars. These programs
must be continued and improved
RESOURCE CONSERVATION. The soil resources
of country have been conserved and strengthened
through the Soil Conservation Service, the Agricultur
al Conservation Program, the forestry and the re-
search programs, with their incentives to increased
production through sound conservation farming. These
programs have revolutionized American agriculture
and must be continued and expanded. We will accel
crate programs of upstream flood prevention water
shed protection and SOIL forest and water conservation
in all parts of the country These conservation
national necessity; they invaluable to
farmers and add greatly to the welfare of all
Americans and of generations yet unborn
GRASS-ROOTS ADMINISTRATION. We will
tnue the widest possible farmer participation through
referenda, farmer-eected committees, local soil-con
servation districts and agencies in the
conduct and administration of these truly democratic
programs, initiated and developed under Democratic
Administrations.
PRICE SUPPORTS Under the present farm pro-
gram, farmers have performed magnificently and
have achieved unprecedented production We applaud
the recent congressional action in setting aside the
sliding SCALE for price support through 1854 and we
will continue to protect the producers of basic agr
prce-support program at less than 90 per of
parity. We continue to advocate practical methods
for extending price supports other storabes and to
producers of perishable commodities, which account
for three fourths of all farm income
ABUNDANT PRODUCTION We will continue to
assist farmers in providing abundant and stable sup
plies of agricultural commodities for the
at reasonable prices and in assuring the farmer the
opportunity to fair return commensurate with
that enjoyed by other segments of the American
omy. The observation-disclosures programs encour-
age the production of abundant supplies while enab-
ling producers to keep supply in line with consumer
demand, preventing wide fluctuations and bringing
stability to the agricultural income of the nation. We
pledge retention of such programs.
We pledge continued efforts to provide adequate
storage facilities for grain and other farm products
with sufficient capacity for needed for de-
tense, and other emergency requirements in order
protect the integrity of the farm price support pro-
grams.
RESEARCH. We justly proud of the out
standing achievements of agricultural research.
We favor greatly expanded research and education
for American agriculture in order that both
production and distribution may effectively
serve consumers and producers alike and thus meet
the needs of the modern world. We favor especial
emphasis the development of crops and var-
eties crop and livestock disease and pest control
and agricultural statistics and marketing services
MARKETING. We must find profitable markets
for the products of farms, and should produce
all that these markets will absorb To this end we will
continue efforts to reduce trade BARRIERS both at
home and abroad, to provide better marketing and in
spection facilities to find new uses and outlets
for foods and fbers both in domestic and foreign
markets.
FARM CREDIT. We have provided credit facili-
ties for all agriculture, including means by which
young men, veterans of military service, and farm
tenants have been encouraged to become farmers and
home-owners and through which low-income farmers
have been assisted in establishing selfsustaning and
fully productive farm units. We will not waver in our
efforts to provide such incentives.
CROP INSURANCE. Crop insurance to protect
farmers against loss from destruction of their crops
~ natural causes has been created and developed
lnder Democratic Administrations into sound bust
less operation. This program should be expanded as
apdly experience jusfies in order that its bene-