GENERAL FARM PROGRAIVI 157 



Chairman Cooley. Mr. Secretary, you have made a very splendid, 

 forthriglit, and comprehensive statement. I hope it will be read by 

 all of the farmers of this country, and especially do I hope that it will 

 be read by the consumers of the country. I think you have in rather 

 bold and brilliant fashion discussed the very perplexing problems that 

 American agriculture is now facing. While these two committees 

 might not agree with all that you have said or might not be willing to 

 accept all of your recommendations, I feel certain that all of us have 

 been impressed with your great sincerity, and I am certain that yom- 

 recommendations will be given every consideration. 



I now take pleasm-e in turning this meeting over to Senator Thomas 

 of Oldahoma, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture 

 and Forestry, for the pm-pose of permitting him to yield to his col- 

 leagues for such questions as they may desii-e to propound to the 

 Secretary at this time. 



Chairman Thomas. Mr. Chairman of the House committee, I will 

 submit the matter to the members of my committee and see if they 

 desire to ask any questions. 



Senator Anderson, have you any questions to submit at this time? 

 Senator Anderson. I am not prepared to do any questioning at this 

 time. 



Chairman Thomas. This presentation, of course, is somewhat 

 lengthy but the first part of the presentation sets forth the philosophy 

 of agriculture and its relation to other industries. 



The recommendations, as I understood them, are not too many and 

 I do not believe they will be too complicated. It might be possible 

 for us to keep our copies of this presentation and at an early date 

 hold a meeting on our side, as I am sure the House will hold a meeting 

 on its side, for more detailed information. 



Senator Thye, I will give you an opportunity to question, if you 

 desire. 



Senator Thye. I have no questions to ask. 

 Chau'man Thomas. Senator Holland? 



Senator Holland. No questions, now, Mr. Chairman; but I would 

 like to be further informed, if we do have the opportunity of a fm'ther 

 meeting with the Secretary, on the question of production payments 

 for the nonstorable commodities. 



As I understand it, he undertakes recommending that the program 

 for nonstorable commodities, which includes fruits and vegetables 

 and tree nuts, is based on two ideas, primarily — production payments 

 and direct Government pm-chases. I think I understand what he has 

 in mind as to the direct Government purchase program, but I am not 

 clear on what he means by the production payment program vnth. 

 reference to vegetables and fruits, including citrus fruits. 



Chairman Thomas. Mr. Secretary, would you care to comment on 

 the suggestion made by Senator Holland? 



Secretary Brannan. Senator Holland, we have had experience 

 with production payments. For example, during the war somewhat 

 similar payments were made, as I remember, in the field of milk. 

 In short, because of the OPA operations at that time we put a ceiling 

 on the price which could be charged the consumer for milk and because, 

 at the same time, the prices of the things that farmers had to buy to 

 produce milk, namely, feed, were continually going up and there was 

 every reason for raising the price of milk in order to meet those needs, 



