The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1958-10-16
Qn GlaAhington
with Rep. John Henderson

4<CW NAdl hCSS
1t has mot been many years
since the livestock and crops of
the farms of Southeastern Ohio
were used almost exclusively for
food, and market conditions de-
pended upon the ability of men
and animals to INCEST the annual
harvest. In recent years, how
ever, scientists of the Department
of Agriculture have developed
many new uses for the products
of the farm. Since 1916, when
$6.8 million was spent for this
program, it has grown to level
of Sl78 million this year.
Soybean oil has become the pri-
mary food oil and soybean meal
has become the primary protein
foodstuff in the United States. In
dustrial chemical developments
from soybean oil form the basis
of paints and other Foundations
requiring millions of bushels of
soybeans each year. Animal fats
which lost market with the ar
rival of synthetic detergents now
have found their way into plastics
and animal feed.
Penicillin utilizes Is million
bushels Of corn and the dextron
process has required 3 million
pounds of sugar. Soft grit blasting
has utilized million tons of corn
cobs and pulp paper has consum-
ed Z million tons of straw. Even
feathers at an annual rate of IS
thousand tons are being processed
into feed selling at $4,000 per ton.
There are dozens of other such
developments and they continue
to increase in number as a result
Of research conducted by the De-
partment of Agriculture. Public
money from the federal treasury
expended in this manner can do
far more to assist the agricultural
economy on long time basis
than can money placed directly
into the hands of farmers to tide
them over a bad year New mar
kets are of enduring value, where
as subsidies are temporary ex-
penditureS which are a constant
drain on the treasury, distorting
our already out-of-balance situa-
ton.
Considerable study has been
given to new legislation to ex-
pand the authority of this pro-
gram. Although a bill was passed
by the Senate this year, the House
of Representative failed to act.
This legislation is likely to be
among the first items of business
next January.
Off Season
Between sessions of Congress,
activity continues in the offices of
members of Congress, in the COM
mittees and in the offices Of the
officials of the House and Senate.
A visitor to the Capital would
scarcely realize that Congress has
adjourned, except that no ses-
sions are being conducted. Some
of the husSle is missing, but, in
nearly every other respect, the
scene remains the same. Mail
continues to pour into the offices,
daily contacts go on between Of
fices on The Hill" and Depart
ments of government down
| town. Plans are being made for
hearings which will resume in
mid November.
Activity is directed toward the
86th Congress which will convene
at noon on January 7, 1859. At
that time the legislative process
will be initiated once again to
deal with changing nation,
changing public opinion, and a
changing world. Many matters
which failed to pass in the session
just closed will be revived. New
proposals will be subject to scrut-
my before Congressional commit
tees and before the forum of pub
lie opinion. Preparations for the
work of the 86th Congress are
underway now through research
both in Washington and in every
State of the Union. Long before
the gavel falls opening the ses-
sion, thousands of ideas for new
laws will be cast in legislative
language ready to deluge the
hoppers which will receive them