The Sidney herald., 1957-06-27

conferred.
been shattered by this Republi-
can failure to bail the South out
of their Civil Rights dilemma
This is the second blow to old
alliances in the Congress. I have
told you in previous columns OF
the splintering of the farm bloc
that dates back to the failure OF
the Corn Bill in March.
Surplus Disposal - The de-
moralized farm bloc pulled itself
/! together and rallied enough
friends to beat off Gripping
| amendments and pass the surplus
| disposal program that authorizes
| sale of agricultural SURPRISES for
foreign currencies. This program
| has relieved hunger and suffer-
ing, furthered u foreign policy
| and at the same time reduced
our farm surpluses. 1t is stated
that the market price of wheat
would have averaged nine cents
lower last year without this pro-
gram.
Wheat Referendum - I was
pleased by the wholehearted sup
port of the wheat marketing ref
erendum to continue the present
wheat program. ! had Joined
most Montana leaders in urging
a Eyes" vote. Secretary Benson's
% cent drop in support levels
will hurt Montana next year but
not as much as would the "a
cent drop that would have re-
suited if quotas had been voted
down.
Victory for Wildlife Groups -
The Senate Appropriations Com
mittee has approved the spending
Of 100000 for Benton Lake Ma
tional Wildlife Refuge north of
Great Falls. This project will pro-
duce more ducks per acre than
any other such project. 1t has the
backing of all wildlife groups in
Montana, and especially in the
times met with sportsmen's
Great Falls area. l have several
groups on this matter and l have
personally presented the case TO
each member of the Senate and
House Appropriations Subcom-
mitees concerned. This money bill
for the refuge still has additional
hurdles to pass, but it will be
shepherded by Senators Murray
and Mansfield through the Senate
and Congressman Metcalf and l
will watch over it in the House
conference committee,
Farm Income Down - The
June report to the Joint Econom-
ic Committee of the Congress
shows that farm income declined
four-tenths of a billion dollars in
the first quarter of 1857. At the
same time the consumers food
costs went up about one percent
and farmers costs increased by
four percent.
Hospital Construction - Legis-
lation introduced by Congressman
Metcalf and myself to authorize
funds to assist the construction of
community hospitals which will
serve Indians and n~on-Indians
was approved by the Committee
and moved up to the House CAL
endar.
Grasshoppers - Several areas
of Montana are reporting grass
hopper infestation. Before FEEDER
al Aid can be given the State
must request it on an emergency
basis. New Federal funds for
grasshopper control become avail
able with the start of the new
fiscal year on July /.
Visitors - Montana visitors in
nv office included Miss Myrtle
Flaskerud of Hogeland, a June
Economics graduate of my alma
mater, Montana State College.
Miss Flaskerud is an Information
Farm Youth Exchange student
Norway and should arrive
here today or tomorrow by ship.
HI National Conference dele
gates were Karen Lee Olsen Of
.ozeman, Deanna Swenson of
Fairfield, John Kraft of Bozeman,
md William Karst. of Sunburst.
Accompanied by Montana's depu-
All leader, Mrs. Esther Brekke
how had lunch with the Montana