GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 557 



SO the purchasing power of workers working was upped 20 percent 

 in 1933 over the purchasing power of their wages in 1929. Certainly 

 these 80 percent who were working had no sound economic ground for, 

 or need of, lower food prices. They actually could have afforded to 

 have had their food prices increased 25 percent for they would have 

 then been able to buy as much food as in 1929. Considering the fact 

 that 20 percent of our employables were unemployed there was no 

 wonder total food consumption declined only 3 percent in 1933 under 

 that of 1929. 



But how much help would those who were out of a job, or 20 percent 

 of all privately employed in 1929, get from lower farm prices ? None, 

 from current labor earnings for they had no earnings to buy even 

 cheaper food. Hence, the great benefit, if there is any, from lower 

 food prices would have gone, in 1933, to those who already had their 

 food dollars increased to $1.25 by a drop in farm prices that far out- 

 stripped the decline in wage rates. 



The National Grange would take care of this situation by a sensible 

 food stamp plan; not by paying a production payment, to help the 

 80 percent of our employables who were employed with an increased 

 purchasing power. We think that a food stamp plan can be worked 

 out, supervised by local relief boards who arrange for relief work for 

 those needing food, half of which work might be paid for by private 

 individuals or local public authorities, and the other half of these relief 

 wages could be borne by the National Government and paid in food 

 stamps. 



VI. PROGRAMS FOR RAISING FARM INCOMES THROUGH 

 IMPROVED MARKET MACHINERY 



The spreads of prices between the farmer and the consumer have 

 varied from as low as 32 cents of the retail dollar going to the farmer 

 in 1933, to as high as 54 cents in 1947. Numerous foods vary widely 

 in this respect, and it is evident that here is a tremendously complex 

 field where vast improvements can be made. Considerations of these 

 problems are out of place at this hearing. 



VII. PROGRAMS FOR DEALING WITH LOW FARM PRICES CAUSED BY 

 INTERNATIONAL CONDITIONS 



Obviously this phase of farm programs is one of the most extensive 

 and complex parts of bringing to farmers and all others in our Nation 

 a high steady income. This phase also has no place in the present 

 hearings of the committee. 



However, we would like to mention two measures that are of vital 

 concern in this field of farm price and income considerations. The first 

 of these is the currently considered international wheat agreement. 

 The National Grant has worked incessantly with the authorities of 

 the Department of Agriculture to obtain the best possible agreement, 

 as did also the four other national farm organizations. We believe 

 the current agreement is a far step in advance in this field; and that 

 it is a forerunner of other similar agreements for other farm products 

 to come. 



The second measure we wish to mention is the help we as a nation 

 are giving Europe. We have supported all ECA measures whole- 

 heartedly both in their relief and rehabilitation phases. We shall 



