The people's voice., 1958-03-21


ray and Mansfield and Congressman
Anderson, Congressman Metcalf las
week accused Agriculture Secretary
Benson of "a callous disregard OF
human suffering
Metcalf said Benson isn't spending
money available to supplement the
meager diets of the jobless and at
the same time help our depressed
farmers.
In statement before the Agricul-
ture Appropriations subcommittee,
Metcalf explained it this way:
Each year, the Secretary has a
special fund to be used to encourage
the domestic consumption of agri-
cultural commodities and re-establish
farmers purchasing power. The law
authorizes use of this fund to buy
food for donation to the needy and
to the school lunch program. Of the
$514.1 million available this year,
only about $3.50 million-or less than
e-third-will be spent.
Last year, when the Secretary spent
$143 million of the $440 million avail
able, he also spent almost 500 million
on feed for livestock in disaster areas.
"This is not to criticize disaster re-
lief programs for livestock" Metcalf
said. "It is to remind the Administra-
ton that people are important, too.
eve have million unemployed peo-
pie in this country. The Pacific North
est has been hit the hardest. AS to
the most recent report, Montana had
the highest rate of unemployment in
the nation.
Unemployment compensation ben
efits are running out for about 35 ,000l
persons week." he continued. 'To-
day it is estimated that 2 million of
these unemployed are without any
income whatever"
He said the only food available for
donation to the unemployed is rice,
process cheese, dry milk, butter, corn
meal and wheat flour.
"At the same time, the Secretary
of Agriculture has $3.50 million avail
able to supplement this meager diet
and help our depressed farmers. 1t is
shocking that he does not propose to
spend it,
Metcalf also asked the subcommit-
tee to increase the amounts requested |
by the Administration for the Rural |
Electrification and Farmers Home
Administrations, the agricultural con-
and meat inspection pro-
grams, during the year beginning next
July 1.
He said the Administration re-
Iuest for rural electrification loan
of $3.50 million, $29 million
ess than last year, ''isn't half
enough" He said the Administration
has taken an untenable position in
support of legislation to send the
REA program into the pri-
-ate money market for the funds it
must have if it is to continue to meet
he growing needs of its almost
million consumers. Adoption of the
proposals would destroy REA."
HORT HARRISON .
If the Veterans Administrator has
is way, needed modernization at the {
'ort Harrison Veterans Administra- {
ion hospital is at least three years
way.
'The earliest possible construction G
rogram in which Fort Harrison can I
e given consideration is fiscal year '
962," Veterans Administrator Whit c
er has written Montanans in Con-
ress. Fiscal year 1862 begins July /, r
961. G
Senator Murray, Senator Mansfield, q
Metcalf and Congress il
ian Anderson again protested the n
clay. c
USTOMS STATIONS
Senator Mansfield presented the !.
atement of Montanans in Congress
1 behalf of money for new customs
ations at Del Bonito, Opheim, Turn y
: and Morgan.
He told a Senate Appropriations S
that conditions are ode
orable' at several stations, among Il
em Turner, where the station is Il
,used in two trailers and there is l.
either drinking water nor sanitary g
h
Failure of the Administration to n
oueSt money for now stations is