Evening star., 1961-01-12

program, ana the first effective
incentive awards program. With
no sacrifice in efficiency, Fed
eral civilian employment since
1858 has been reduced by over
a quarter Of a million persons.
I am deeply gratified that
it was under the urging Of this
administration that Alaska and
Hawaii became our 49th and
50th States.
Agriculture
Despite the difficulties of
administering congressional
programs which apply outmod-
ed prescriptions and which ag-
gravate rather than solve prob
lens, the past eight years
brought notable advances In
agriculture.
Total agricultural assets are
approximately 5000 billion-up
$50 billion in eight years.
Farm owner equities are at
the near record high of STA
billion.
Farm ownership is at a rec
ord high with fewer farmers in
a tenant and sharecropper
status than at any time in our
Nations history.
The "Food-for- Peace" pro-
gram has demonstrated how
surplus Of American food and
fiber can be effectively used to
feed and clothe the needy
abroad. Aided by this humani-
tartan program. total agricul-
tural exports have grown from
$2.8 billion in 1853 to an aver
age Of about 81 billion annually
for the past three years. For
1850. exports are estimated at
$4.5 billion. the highest volume
on record. Under the Food
for-Peace program, the largest
wheat transaction in history
was consummated with India
in 1860.
Rural Family Aid
The problems Of low-income
farm families received system
attic attention for the first time
IN the Rural Development Pro-
gram. This program has gone
forward in 80 States, yielding
higher incomes and a better liv-
ing for rural people most in
need.
The Rural Identification Ad-
ministration has helped meet
the growing demand for power
and telephones in agricultural
areas. Ninety-seven per cent
Of all farms now have central
station electric power. De-
pendence upon Federal financ-
ing should no longer be neces-
Sary.
The Farm Credit Administra-
ton has been made an inde-
pendent agency more responsive
to the farmers needs.
The search for new uses fol-
our farm abundance and tc
develop new crops for current
needs has made major progress
Agricultural research appro.
priations have increased by III
per cent since 1858.
Farmers are being saved ap-
proximately $50 million a year
by the repeal in 1856 of Federal
taxes on gasoline used in trac-
tors and other machinery.
Funds Doubled
Since 1858. appropriations
have been doubled for county
agents, home agents and the
Extension Service.
Eligibility for social security
benefits has been extended to
farmers and their families.
Yet in certain aspects our
agricultural surplus situation is
increasingly grave. For example
our wheat stocks now total Ia
billion bushels. If we did not
harvest one bushel of wheat
in this coming year, we would
still have all We could eat, al,
we could sell abroad, all we
could give away. and still have
a substantial carryover. Extra
ordinary costs are involved just
in management and disposal OF
this burdensome surplus.
Obviously important adjust
ments must still come. Congress
must enact additional legisla-
ton to permit wheat and other
farm commodities to move into
regular marketing channels in
an orderly manner and at the
same time afford the needed
price protection to the farmer,
Only then will agriculture again
be free. sound, and profitable,