GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 705 



However, I am not speaking for the farmers of an}^ other area, or 

 for this total area, but only for the western Kansas area; that is what 

 I am speaking for. 



The point I am making first is this, that while we are producing a 

 larger percentage of the total production in the United States we are 

 restricted to that one crop as the cash crop. And, outside of cattle, 

 our total production amounts to very little. We have some irrigation 

 districts, of course, but they are onh^ minor, as far as the total produc- 

 tion in western Kansas is concerned. Therefore if we live we have 

 got to live by wheat, and that is very vital, it is very important. 



We are attempting to carry on this balanced farm program, but as 

 a m.atter of fact, we are restricted in the dry area of farming to pro- 

 duce that one crop, the cash crop. The only thing we could do to 

 modify that program is through the cattle industry. And, approxi- 

 mately^ about half and half of our soil is given to cattle and wheat, 

 half to cattle and half to wheat. In the smaller areas that are irrigated 

 we can raise other things like alfalfa and sugar beets, and other things 

 that we can grow through irrigation, and we are attempting to do that. 



Now, gentlemen, the farmers of western Kansas believe in a stable, 

 fixed, parity program. There is considerable confusion among the 

 farmers, and I think it is due to some of our farm leaders, who are 

 confusing this whole program, and I think we need to get away from 

 that as cjuick as we can. I do not believe the farmers, if they could 

 vote today, would vote to support a flexible price program and the 

 wheat farmers, I think, throughout the country will come to that 

 conclusion eventually' — before very long, because it is sensible. Some- 

 body has got a cockeyed, screwy point here about a flexible program, 

 but we are opposed to it in western Kansas. And we are opposed 

 to it for reasons. 



We cannot have stable price, as has already been brought out, 

 under a flexible program, because who knows what price the Secretary 

 of Agriculture is going to fix, or anybody else that may have control 

 over fixing the parity; who is going to tell us when and how that is 

 to come about. We do not know, and it is confusing. 



Furthermore, a reduced parity program, under the Aiken bill, will 

 not cut production, for the reason that the farmer has got to make 

 a living. I do not like these fellows with white wings, I do not believe 

 in them. Of course, they are honest, but I do not like their white 

 wings. 



Wlien they say we do not want to bankrupt the Government why, 

 the Government has got the money, and has got to have the money to 

 do this, because we have to mamtain a stable price, and unless we do, 

 not only will the farmers go bankrupt but the whole country will go 

 bankrupt; it is absolutely essential, so let us get these white wings off. 

 Wlien they say we would break the Government, well, the Govern- 

 ment will take care of it because it is necessary that we have stable 

 prices. 



We feel we ought to have the right kind of legislation, and we want 

 legislation that will give the farmers of this country enough to have a 

 chance to make a living. 



Now, the farmers are in a very peculiar situation, and that is the 

 reason why we have to take on this price support program. ^\lien 

 I take a load of wheat, or you take a bale of cotton, or you take a 



