The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-22

and Benson-blame this high and
rigid price support system for
many farm ills, SUCH as huge sur
pluses in wheat, corn and butter.
And they believed it will lead
directly to complete government
controlled production and market
ing.
The National Farmers UAion. on
the other hand, is fighting not only
to retain the high price support
level but to extend it to other
farm commodities. It's leaders
argue that anything less than the
present program will weaken the
entire farm economy, bring further
drops in prices, slash income, and
create a program of scarcity in
production.
The union contends the Ameri-
can farmer is entitled to govern
ment subsidy just as much as air
lines and railroads, and that the
federal government should in fact
take a more active role in aiding
the farmers.
The union contends the nation is
lucky to have SURPRISES as a safety
reserve against drought and the
possibility Of war. 1t denies sur
pluSes have resulted from high
price supports.
The men to watch in this fight
are Allan B. Kline. president of the
American Farm Bureau Fedora
ton; Herschel D. Newsom, master
OF the National Grange; and James
G. Patton, president of the Nation
al Farmers Union.
Of all the farm leaders, Kline
appears to be closest to Eisenhow-
er and has been a White House
visitor more than once. His critics
even claim that the federation is
"in control" of the Department of
Agriculture.
During the Truman regi m e
Kline was pretty much snubbed. !
Kline believes government mark
ct supports should be flexible,
ranging from IS to 80 per cent of |
heavy farm production, supports |
could be lowered to discourage big
surplusese which tend to depress
market prices. If production falls
too low. supports could be raised
to encourage planting.
Kline is among those convinced
price fixing Is an artificial device
which doesn't get to the basic /
cause Of the farm trouble. He
speaks for those who favor more
competitive farm market. As all
the farm leaders do, he supports
more farmer education. more re-
search, and more aggressive ex-
port policy as sound means of pro-
noting markets for farm produc- |
ton.
He has been outspoken against /
those federal farm aid payments |
he thinks are mere subsidies and /
do not actually promote better /
farming, such as paying farmers /
for putting lime on their land.
Kline argues it has become nor.
NAL practice in the Midwest to !
use lime because it increases pro- /
duction and enhances the value Of |
the land.
when payments are made for /
this kind Of practice" Kline told /
congressman recently. we are (
simply making an appropriation !
out of the Federal Treasury for an
income supplement, and we do not /
think that is the way to do thar
sort of thing. We think ii is simply /
and purely a dangerous political
principle
The Eisenhower administration
Is going along with Kline on the
lime payments. having recon.
mended that funds for conservation
practices be cut 10 l40 million dol
lars for 1854 compared with $50
million made available By Con.
greSs in previous years. The
House. however. refused to back
such a big cut. II voted 1875 million.
The Senate is expected TO accept
the House figure.
Grange Master Newsom Is con.
vinced too much emphasis has
been put on the price support level !
as the key TO the farm problem.
What | would like to empha.
size. he said in an interview is
parity In the market place.
Eisenhower. campaigning for the
presidency. also talked Of full
parity in the market place.
While Eisenhower did not say
how il could be achieved signs now
point 10 efforts To boosl farm in
come through research. sales pro.
motion, improved marketing 10 cat
costs, drive TO sell more produce
abroad, and shifting production 10
avoid priee.depressing SURPRISES.
Ia this picture. Newsam Is con.
WINGED that the real payog for the
farmer VIII come through his own
ability and energy. he saws there
must De drive to reeaptnre mar.
sets overseas, combined with ef
foEtS 10 remove trade barriers.
Our greatest relief has fn Be in