Evening star., 1954-01-13
Holds Subsidies
To Wool Growers
Are Justified
By Inmes E. Roner

ETeSlueQG EISENHOWER SAID 70.
day his program for flexible
supports on farm prices is right
even though some members of
his own party may say it is
politically unfeaSible In an elec-
ton year.
Gen. Eisenhower told his news
conference he didn't believe
anyone who had studied the
farm problem as long as the
Administration has can still be-
heve that the system of farm
supports now in use is workable
and practicable.
A prosperous, stabilized agri-
culture, Gen. Eisenhower con-
tinued, is vital to this country.
If it is not politically feasible,
we will find out, he said. Gen.
Eisenhower concluded emphati-
cally that he believes his pro-
gram is right.
The President made his state
ment when a. reporter pointed
out that some Republican Sen
atorS stated at a closed meeting
yesterday that the administra-
tion's program for flexible sup
ports were not feasible in an
election year.
Could Vary Supports.
Under the administration
program, the Secretary of Agri-
culture could vary farm supports
between rs and 90 per cent of
parity on six basic" crops.
This flexible system would sub
Stitute for the present law re-
quiring so per cent supports on
these items through the 1854
crops.
Gen. Eisenhower was asked
whether he would veto a bill
extending the rigid 80 per cent
supports beyond this years
crops.
Gen. Eisenhower replied that
he never vetoed bills in advance.
He pointed out that the White
House has no power of Item"
veto.
Some bills are so designed
Gen. Eisenhower said, that you
cannot veto the whole bill just
because you don't like some part
of it.
Asked About Wool Subsidy.
A reporter asked the President
how he justified his proposal for
direct Government payments to
wool growers. Gen. Eisenhower
proposed in his special message
to Congress on agriculture that
American growers sell their out
put on the American market
for what they can get and then
receive from the Federal Gov
erment a subsidy to raise the
average price that wool growers
receive to 80 per cent of parity.
This is the same type Of scheme
proposed in the So-called Bran
nan Plan" of former Democratic
Secretary of Agriculture Bran
nan.
Gen. Eisenhower said he had
q long inner struggle with him
self to come to the conclusion
that direct subsidies should be
made to wool growers, but he
added that he did come to that
conclusion because wool is vital
to the welfare of this country.
Meanwhile, some Republicans
with an eye on the November
elections talked fondly today of
Senator McCarthy's proposal to
let a 100 per cent parity price
goal for their new farm pro-
gram.
The Wisconsin Republican,
stepping momentarily out of his
role as the Senate's most vocal
Communist hunter, appeared as
a champion of. the farmer with
plan to increase the rs to 80 per
cent flexible price supports.
Brought Up at Conference.
The Senator said in an inter-
view with the Associated Press
that he had touched of a
heated discussion of the subject
at conference Of all Republican
Senator'S yesterday because he
thinks Government supports
should not go as low as IS per
cent. They ought to go higher
than 80 per cent. perhaps even
above 100 per cent of parity"
Senator Mccarthy said. adding:
II have no fight with President
Eisenhower"
Senator Mundt. Republican, of
South Dakota said he doesn't
think the farmers would get
100 per cent parity income out
of flexible supports.