Evening star., 1955-05-22
SmoII Farmer Out in Cold
Despite U. S. Prosperity

Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson rec
ommends 15-point program. Under
his proposals, Federal and State
services would expand their techni-
cal aid to small farmers. Research
on low-income farm problems would
be emphasized Young people in
these areas would be assisted in find
ing city jobs. And so pilot projects
to improve health and education
would be set up in typical low-in-
come regions.
In transmitting his report to the
President, Mr.. Benson stated that
price supports "are Of little help to
most of these people," since the
families don't produce enough to
benefit from such programs.
Republican politicos, among them
Senator George D. Aiken of Ver-
mont, ranking minority member OF
the Senate Agriculture Committee.
say the proposed program contains
the type of many-sided approach
which alone can cure the ills of low
income farmers.
Even 200 per cent supports
would not enable most of these
farmers to live decently," Senator
Aiken maintains.
While agreeing with the general
findings of the report, Democrats
have quickly pounced upon the
Secretary's proposals. Especially.
they find fault with his price-sup-
port remark. Party leaders. such as
Speaker Of the House Sam Rayburn
of Texas and Senator Allen j. Ell
lender of Louisiana, Chairman of
the Senate Agriculture Committee,
charge the report is based on pro-
grams which have been in effect for
the last 20 years. They say it con-
tains no new techniques of assist
ance to small farmers.
Some Democrats characterize the
price-support statement as plain
falsehood," and allege the COP Is
using its low-income program as a
flank attack on the entire support
program. They declare low-income
farmers would be that much worse
off were no supports in effect.
These leaders also charge Messrs.
Eisenhower and Benson with hy-
pocrisy, in advocating a compre-
hensive program for small farmers
while simultaneously whiting
down" funds for the Farmers Home
Administration. Soil Conservation
Service, and other affected agencies.
Form Groups Stond
Among the private farm organi-
cations, officials of the largest
group-the American Farm Bureau
Federation-regard the report as
q step in the right direction, and
are making it top subject for dis
cussion in membership policy meet
ings in coming months. The bu-
reau is a longtime advocate Of
lower. more flexible supports
However, spokesman for the small
er, hard-hitting National Farmers
Union, main champion of higher
supports, accuse Mr.. Benson of plac-
ing too much emphasis on research
and education, and too little on
expansion of loan-making func-
tions Of the Farmers Home Admin
istratien. Says John Baker, Flu leg
islative director: This is OK for
the fifth generation from now. but
it won't do the present one much
good"
National Grange representatives
are recommending a comprehensive
plan, including resources realloca-
tion," under which marginal farm
ers would be aided in moving to the
city. This approach-which is also
advocated In the Benson report
Is repugnant to the CIO. whose
leaders are already worried over
what they see as a growing prob
lem Of factory unemployment.
Meantime, while the debate swirls
and grows, the small farmer goes