Evening star., 1953-10-26
Benson urns Down Cott|emen
On Direct Supports as They
Warn Of Bankruptcy Danger
Secretary Leaves
Way Open, However,
For Practical Relief
By jones E. Roper

Secretary Of Agriculture Ben
son today turned down, at least
for the present, a cattlemen's de-
mand for direct Government sup
ports on the price of live cattle.
Some $50 cattlemen from 80
States crowded into the Agri-
culture Department auditorium
and told Secretary Benson, face
to face, that they needed Gov
ernment price supports. They
said the cattle industry was in
a lot of trouble" and many
Stockmen faced bankruptcy un-
less the Government acted now.
Secretary Benson replied by
outlining intensive Government
attempts to help stockmen-par-
ticularly those hurt by drought
through subsidized feed, reduced
railroad rates, emergency credit
and beef purchases for school
lunch programs, the Army, and
overseas gifts.
Prefers Indirect Method.
Referring directly to the re-
quest for direct support on live
cattle, Secretary Benson said:
Maybe it can be done on
cattle but it seems to me that
this indirect method is better"
He said beef cannot be stored
like other commodities and
would represent many other
problems. He recalled previous
Government attempts to support
prices on perishables.
He said an attempt to support
prices on hogs was "a dismal
failure" potato supports turned
into a "f1asco," and egg sup
ports were disappointing"
Secretary Benson said he had
an "open mind" on cattle prob
lens and hoped for substantial
4AlAPA Ill CAlC 1COCLll
program" but warned that any
program must be practical.
Will Consider Proposals.
"If you can come up with a
plan for something that we are
not doing, we'll consider it,"
Secretary Benson said.
Secretary Benson conceded
stockmen are hit by coSt-price
squeeze but predicted that most
of the adjustments in this indus
try are over and the outlook is
reassuring."
If 1 were back on the farm,
I'd put feeder cattle in the
yards" Secretary Benson said.
Dennis Driscoll, cattle feeder
from Colorado Springs, Colo,
and a spokesman for the cattle
men, Immediately replied:
If that is all the outlook we
have, God help the cattle indus
try"
Cattlemen Applaud RetOrt.
The cattleInen applauded.
Then they headed for the
American Legion Hall at Third
and E streets NV. for a private
meeting to discuss the situation
and probably form specific, writ
ten proposals to submit to Secre-
tary Benson at another meeting
set for tomorrow.
The cattlemen came to WASH
ington in buses, automobiles,
trains and aircraft in a demon
stration sponsored by the Ma
tional Farmers Union, which has
been supporting large-scale Gov
eminent aid for all segmentS of
agriculture.
The cattlemen, many still
garbed in Western boots and
wide -brimmed hats, met at 8 am.
today at the Legion hall to or
ganize and then went before the
reluctant Secretary Benson. Nine
cattlemen went to the speakers
stand before televiSion cameras
and lights and pleaded for Gov
ernment aid.
Reply Reflects Crises.
Secretary Benson and all of
his top assistants sat on the
front row and listened impas-
sively.
The speakers said they were
not rabble rouSers and hoped
that politics could be kept out
of the dispute.
Secretary Benson'S reply, how
ever, fully reflected the political
crises that Republicans face be-
cause of mounting criticism from
farm interests. He said he had
talked this morning by telephone
with President Eisenhower and
he was sympathetic with the cat
tlemen'S problem.
Mr.. Benson said that as for
mer farmer he was fully aware
of the cost-price squeeze. He
emphasized. however, that most
of the drop in farm prices oc-
Cured before the Republicans
took Office. He said that cattle
(See FARM, Page A-30