The people's voice., 1959-08-28
Repr. Leroy Anderson
Reports To You From
The Nations Capitol


48O provides the machinery for ex-
porting billions of dollars worth of
agricultural surpluses. Most of our ex-
ported agricultural commodities, so
to 70 per cent. are sold abroad for
cash-good old American dollars.
From 25 to 80 per cent are sold for
foreign currencies or are shipped
under various foreign aid programs.
From 2 to 8 per cent are bartered
for critical strategic materials in short
supply in the United States.
Great humanitarian purposes are
served by the Public Law 480 pro-
gram, using surpluses which we would
otherwise just be paying storage on
as they deteriorated to relieve need
and hunger to the furthest reaches
of the world. 1t is famous all over
the globe and almost universally sup
ported here. as evidenced by the
whopping 305 yeas and SO nays on
final passage. Before we got to final
passage, though, we killed one bad
amendment and tackled on food
stamp plan that may have historic
significance.
A massive attempt was made by
Atlantic and Gulf port states, sup
ported generally by California and
the eastern railroads, to prevent our
agricultural exports from flowing
through the st. Lawrence Seaway.
When you remember that it costs IT
cents less to put our wheat on an
ocean-going ship bound for Europe
if it goes through the Seaway instead
of moving on an eastern railroad, you
can see how much this means to the
great farming 'heartland of Amer
ica." After almost day of violent
debate, the amendment was defeated
by a 142-134 vote. That chalked up
one victory for the farmers.
After that victory, we proceeded
to another and greater one for agri-
culture, and for the needy of Amer
lea, when we amended the bill to in
clude food stamp plan proposed by
Mrs. Sullivan of Missouri. 1t has al
ways seemed a shame that with burst
ing granaries and bulging warehouses,
there still are millions of American
children, old people and needy fami-
lies who have inadequate diets. 1t
seemed a shame that although we
could send our surpluses overseas to
1elp the needy in other lands. we
couldn't use them to help the unem-
oloyed or destitute right here at home.
f the Senate and the Administration
,nnnrf fhn un,ron aaAina
milestone has been erected with a pro-
ram to distribute our surpluses,
through the corner grocery store, to
hose who really need them.
Treasure State Growing-A new
tatistical compilation and projection
f 1875 college-age population and
ollege enrolment has just been pub
shed. 1t shows Montana this year of
959 with a college-agei population
f 36,953, 80 per cent of whom, or
l, 1925, are college enrolled. In 1875,
lie projection foresees 3d. ,484 college
ge population. Assuming uniformly
percentage of attendance
the college-age population, the en-
,liment will advance to 40 per cent,
r 23,374 students. Thus. in the next
5 years, Montana's universities and
'lleges, now already overstrained,
ill be really bursting out at the
'ams 1t will pose a continuing major
roblem in our State and every other
tate in the Union!
Drought Area Aid-Along with
ongressman Quentin Burdick of
orth Dakota, l cosponsored
'ougth bill which was quickly ap-
owed by the House Committee on
griculture and is pending before the
ouse. Companion legislation was ap-
owed by the Senate this week. 1t
III amend the Soil Bank Act so as
permit the harvesting of hay on
reserve acreage under
rtain conditions, and without cost
the government. County ASCs
)uld be authorized by the Secretary
Agriculture to sell hay on such
reage, with the consent of the pro-
Ger, to the highest bidder, and re-
rn the proceeds to the u. S. Treas
y, less such amounts as the COM
ttee deems adequate to compen-
te the producer for damage, if any.
his premises, if, after certification
the Governor of the need therefor.
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