The people's voice., 1958-05-09


by the creation of new demand fol
meats, fruits and fresh vegetables tC
round out presently inadequate diets
The whole economy would get q
shot in the arm through the expansion
of purchasing power of the low-in-
come groups, and improvement of the
farmers economic position. The cost
to federal and local governments
would be considerable, but almost
certainly less than the cost of any
of the programs for building roads,
schools, housing, or missiles. And the
gains in health and economic produc-
tivity unquestionably would be enor-
nous, even if not susceptible of ac-
curate measurement.
THE ANFUSO BILL
The first plan to get the attention
of Congress is that embodied in a bill
introduced by Rep. Victor L. Anfuso
(D-N.Y.) calling for the free dis
tribution of food stamps to needy
persons. Hearings are underway on
this bill before the Consumer Study
subcommittee of the House Commit
tee on Agriculture, of which Anfuso
is chairman.
The Anfuso Bill CHR 11162) is
straight stamp distribution measure
much like the plan instituted by the
Surplus Marketing Administration
under Milo Perkins in 1912, which
was abolished the following year. 1t
is a short bill which would limit the
value of foods distributed in any
calendar year to one billion dollars.
Distribution of food stamps would be
to states and local governments under
the direction of the Secretary of Ag-
riculture.
The stamps would constitute spec
ial kind of money with which the
needy persons to whom they were
given by local agencies might buy
foods held by the Agriculture De-
partment to be in surplus. The Secre-
tary would set up rules governing all
details.
THE AIKEN PROPOSAL
Much more detailed is the plan of
Senator George d. Aiken (R-Vt.),
which was introduced first a few
weeks after the old Stamp Plan was
abolished in 1943, and from which
Congress has SHE'D away ever since.
However, when Aiken reintroduced
his bill IS 43) year ago last Janu-
ary, it was co-sponsored by a thor
oughly non-partisan group-Senators
Milton r. Young (R-N.D.), Hubert
H. Humphrey D-Minn.), Clinton P.
Anderson (D-N.M.), and Arthur V.
Watkins (R-Utah).
A few weeks ago Senator William
Proxmire (D-Wis.) introduced a SIM
plified Aiken bill. In this he was
joined by Senators James E. Muir
ray (D-Mont.), Wayne Morse ID
Ore.), William LANCER (R-N.D.), and
Mike Mansfield (D-Mont.). Both the
Aiken bill and the Proxmire measure
seek to assure a we'll balanced diet
for needy persons, but the Aiken
dill is much more specific as to what
hey would be given by way of fresh
meats, fruits and vegetables. The
oroxmire bill would rely more upon
he advice of Council on Nutrition
o be appointed by the Secretary of
Agriculture-a provision also in the
Aiken bill-and it does not go into
learly as much detail as to the ma
hinery of distribution.
Outside the Congress the allotment
Ian now has important citizen sup
ort. The Agricultural Committee of
he National Planning Association
onsisting of 21 prominent business
zen, economists, and editors, has en-
orsed plan like the Aiken proposal
.auren X. Soth, editorial page writer
f the DES MONIES REGISTER &
RIBUNE, is chairman of this COM
ittee.
If the economic recession continues
, deepen, it is almost certain that the
ood Allotment Plan will receive
,rious consideration at this session
: Congress; but if business shows
arked improvement, it could easily
e on the vine.
MADE CLEAR
Of &c