Evening star., 1960-01-07
Farm Legislation
Costly, Out-of-D

written 81 years ago, in an
emergency effort to redress
hardship caused by a world
wide depression. They we're
continued-and their economic
distortions intensified - during
World War II in order to pro-
vide incentives for production
of food needed to sustain a
war-torn free world.
Today our farm problem is
totally different. 1t is that OF
effectively adjusting to the
changes caused by a scientific
revolution. When the original
farm laws were written, an
hours farm labor produced
only one-fourth as much wheat
as at present. Farm legislation
is woefully out of date, ineffec-
tive and expensive.
For years we have gone on
with an outmoded system
which not only has failed to
protect farm income, but also
has produced soaring, threat
ening surpluseS. Our farms
have been left producing for
war while America has long
been at peace.
Once again I urge Congress
to enact legislation that will
gear production more closely
10 markets, make costly sur
pluses more manageable, pro-
vide greater freedom in farm
operations. and steadily achieve
increased net farm incomes.
Another issue that We must
meet Squarely is that of living
within our means. This requires
restraint in expenditure. con-
slant reasSessment of priorities,
and the maintenance Of stable
prices.
We must prevent imitation.
Here is an opponent of so many
guiseS that it is sometimes diff
flcult to recognize. But our
clear need is to stop continuous
and general price riSes-a need
that all of us can see and feel.
To prevent steadily rising
costs and prices calls for stern
self-discipline by every citizen
No person. city, State, or Or
ganized group, can afford tc
evade the obligation TO resist
initiation, for every American
pays its Gripping tax.
lnfation's ravages do not end
at the waters edge. Increases
in prices of the goods we sell
abroad threaten to drive us out
OF markets that once were Sc
curely ours. Whether domestic
prices, 50 high as to be non
competitive, result from de-
mands for too-high profit
margins or from increased
labor costs that outrun growth
in productivity, the final result
is seriously damaging to the
nation.
We must fight initiation as
we would fire that imperils
our home. Only by so doing
can we prevent it from destroy
ing our salaries, savings, pen
sionS and insurance, and from
gnawing away at the very roots
OF a free, healthy economy and
the nations security.
One major method by which
the Federal Government can
counter imitation and rising
prices is to insure that its ex-
penditures are below its reve-
nueS. The debt with which we
are now confronted is about
$3.50 billion. With interest
charges alone now costing tax.
payers about $9.5 billions, it i.
clear that this debt growth
must stop. You will be glad tt
know that despite the unset.
tling influences of the recen
steel strike, we estimate tina
our accounts will show, on Junt
80. this year, a favorable bal.
ance of approximately 500
million.
l shall present to the Con,
gress for 1861 a balanced budg
ct. In the area of defense, ex
penditures continue at the rec
ord time levels of the las
several years. With a Singl,
exception, expenditures il
every major category of health
education and welfare will b.
equal or greater than las
year. In space expenditure
the amounts are PRACTICAL!
doubled. But the overall guild
ing goal of this budget is ma
tional need-not response II
specific group, local or politi
cal inSiStence.
Expenditure increases, othe
than those have indicated, ar
largely accounted for by tn
increased cost of legislation pre-
viouSly enacted.
Budget Will Enhance
IWoYId Honfidanna