Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-24

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The big question remaining
farmers participating in the SO
the legislation-which aims al
cutting down the crop SURPRISES
which have depressed farm
prices.
That point means millions Of
dollars in-or out of-Farm
Belt pocketbooks, and the deci-
sion rests with Secretary of Ag-
riculture Benson. who must rule
on what compliance" by par
Elephants entails.
That factor carries important
overtones in an election year.
The Secretary today asked de-
partment lawyers for a detailed
analysis of the new bill. Spe-
officially. he wanted to know
what changes he would be re-
quired to make in the 1856 farm
program, and what would be
discretionary. His action was
aiken as clear indication that
the President will sign the
measure.
$3.50 Million in First Year
The bill authorizes first-yeal
payments of $3.50 million tc
farmers for cutting back acre
age of cotton. corn, rice, wheat
peanuts and some varieties Of
tobacco. including those raised
in this area.
Another $3.50 million is au-
thorized for participants pulling
any cropland out of production,
and turning it into a conserva-
ton reserve of forage, timber or
water storage.
Long-term disuSe of the land
is contemplated under both pro-
grams.
While the payment scale still
is to be fixed by the Secretary
of Agriculture when details of
the overall program are worked
out, It is anticipated that partic-
ipants in the acreage reserve will
collect about so per cent of the
productive potential of each acre
involved, based on the parity
value Of the crops cut back. (Par-
ity is the farmers fair return
figure.)
For the conservation reserve,
payments nationally will average
about $40 per acre annually,
with $25 per acre allotted at the
outset for putting the soil-build-
ing practices into effect.
Procedure to Be Determined
Because much of the seeding
for 1856 crops already has been
done, participation in the acre
age reserve will be governed
largely by the rules laid down by
Secretary Benson, according to
departmental experts.
If he holds that compliance
can be established by blowing
under" crops already in the
ground - and President Eisen-
hover suggested that in his farm
message to Congress in January
much can be done right now.
provided the farmers are salts
fled with the compensation Of
fered.
If not, the cutback will be
applied largely to winter wheat.
which goes in in the fall. Some
cotton land also could be brought
under the program, and likewise
corn and spring wheat in the
Middle West and Northwest
where weather has delayed early
planting.
The conservation reserve also
would be made effective to some
extent. as alfalfa and clover can
be put in late. and water storage
also can be started.
All this. however. means ex-
tensive operations by the Agri-
culture Departments field force,
and the local Agriculture Con-
servation and Sterilization Com
mittees.
No Great Effect on Props
The new bill does not have
much effect now on price sup
ports beyond increases voted for
feed grains-rye, oats, barley,
grain sorghums and corn-grown
outside the commercial corn
area.
President Eisenhower increased
prices for wheat, commercial
area corn, rice and dairy prod
uctS, when he vetoed the first
farm bill because higher and rigid