Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-17

distress.
Congress can authorize
payments to a moximum OF
SO per cent. :"
These actions. the administra-
tion will take Immediately.
Here is what We are asking
Congress to do Immediately:
Today, I asked Congress to
pass a straight soil bank bill
las promptly as possible. We want
to get it into operation before
fall seeding for next years crops.
1t is imperative that we get the
soil bank authorized in this ses-
sion of the Congress. The farm
erS OF America have right to
demand and expect that.
I have one further proposal
to make so that the soil bank
can get into operation this year.
BY simple provision in the Soil
Bank Act. the Congress can au-
thorize the Government to begin
making payments to a maximum
of so per cent after the farmer
signs a contract. Thus immed-
lately after July /, 1856. farm
ers who agree to participate in
either the acreage reserve or con-
Servation reserve phases of the
soil bank program will be eligible
for payment.
These initial payments will
help our farmers this crop year.
Such payments will also enable
them to contract for delivery OF
seeds and trees and for rental
or purchases of implements for
use at the appropriate planting
time. Seed men and nurserymen
would also, under this proposal,
be able to insure delivery of
needed supplies to farmers.
Final payments each year
would be made to farmers upon
compliance.
| If farmers generally participate
in the soil bank program, pay
mentS could add up to as much
as an additional $500 million to
them this crop year. And of
course as the program over
came the surplus problem. the
greater benefits would be found
III the increased market prices
for farm products.
II shoII urge the Congress to oct
speedily on this matter.
| We have already wasted val
liable time. I shall urge the Con-
gress to act speedily on this
matter.
Also, shall shortly request the
Congress for increased authori-
cation to continue our successful
movement of farm SURPRISES into
constructive uses overseas. This
will further bolster domestic
markets.
I also hope the Congress will
act promptly to give US the farm
credit legislation which we have
already recommended. This
strengthened program will help
meet the credit needs of farmers
particularly young farmers and
their wives. These young farmers.
many of whom began farming
upon their return from military
service. do have special prob
lens. Their operations began
during a period of high prices
for land, high prices for live
stock and high prices for imple-
ments. Many of them are con-
fronted with a shortage of CAPT.
tai. We want to encourage them
to stay on the farms of America.
And America needs them on the
farms. The Secretary of Agri-
culture and l are agreed that in
the Governments extension of
credit to these young farmers.
our main guide-line will be the
character of the individual.
These administrative actions
and legislative requests are
sound for farmers. They will give
them more income this year.
They are in the best interests
Of all Americans.
We must move vigorously to
safeguard the economic health
Of the farm families of America.
/ That makes sense.
] My fellow Americans, l value
the trust you have placed in me
to do the right thing as I see it
honestly, frankly and regard
less of political pressure. That
is what have tried to do-and
am trying to do.