572 GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 



only. And, there is a lot of difference between that and in setting 

 wages and doing other things. 



Now, as to the men on the board and the authority of the board, and 

 apparently I have not been able to make myself understood as yet: 

 We would have 12 who were nominated by farmers ; 4 who are nomi- 

 nated by processors, 4 who are nominated by distributors and 4, if 

 we could find someone to represent the consumers, from consumers, but 

 the President would have to do that probably. 



So that half of them would be, as it were, representatives of farmers 

 at all times, and the public would be protected and every group would 

 have representation. A group made up in that way we think could 

 reach the best practical decisions. Now as to the authority 



Mr. HoEVEN, Do you think the 12 members on the board represent- 

 ing the farmers would be in any position to control the actions of that 

 board if you did not give them a majority? Do you not believe that 

 the farmers themselves, who are the grass roots, should have the con- 

 trolling voice on the board ? 



Mr. Goss. I would say that our opinion is divided. I think the 

 majority feels that there should be equal representation, altough if the 

 committee fels that the farmer should have the majority, as you point 

 out, that is something for the Congress to decide. But this is what 

 we have looked at, that if you are going to have proper cooperation 

 from the processors and the distributors, and the many other groups, 

 you jast cannot expect to get it unless they have confidence that their 

 problems are considered by the board. 



Mr. HoEVEN. The processors and the consumers and the other 

 groups for whom you provide representation on the board have an 

 entirely different interest in the matter. We are here trying to pass 

 legislation dealing with farm problems, and while I feel there is 

 a great deal of merit in the proposals you have made, yet I do feel 

 that if any kind of board is to be set up, that the farmers, who are 

 at the grass roots, must have a majority on that board at all times. If 

 you do not have them you will be subject to the whims of the other 

 12 on the board and they will just reach an impasse, where there would 

 be a lot of debate and accomplish nothing. 



Mr. Albert. How are we going to be sure that the farmers will 

 have a majority? 



Mr, Hoeven. That should be provided in the legislation. 



Mr. White. I do not see how you can be assured of that when we 

 have had some farm organizations here saying the people who repre- 

 sent them did not have the interest of the farmers at heart. 



Mr. HoEVEN. We could write a law saying that they must have the 

 farmers* interest, uppermost. 



Mr. Hill. I might make this suggestion : He might be a dirt farmer 

 today and 6 months later a banker, and in three months more a 

 manipulator on the stock exchange. 



Mr. CooLEY. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. Goss a question 

 if I may ? 



Mr, Pace. Certainly. 



Mr, CooLEY, I would like to know your ideas with repsect to the 

 responsibility of the House Committee or the Senate Committee on 

 Agriculture in passing on the people who are nominated for this 

 board ? 



