932 GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 



situation from a national point of view the New Jersey potato industry herewith 

 presents its recommendations. 



We respectfully urge the adoption of the following program: 



(1) Adjustment of acreage nationally to provide sufficient high quality pota- 

 toes for consumers on a basis that prevents burdensome and costly surpluses and 

 which is fair to all established areas of production. 



(2) An equitable support level that will, xmder normal conditions, sustain the 

 economic well-being of growers and sustain also a degree of purchasing power and 

 living standards comparable with other farm and industrial groups. 



(3) Removal of off -grade potatoes when necessary by Government purchase, 

 thus providing for consumers the superior grades. 



(4) Support and establishment of starch and flour manufacturing plants on 

 a scale commensurate with supplies of surplus potatoes from year to year. 



(5) Control acreage by protecting only those growers who comply fully with 

 acreage goal programs. This calls for abandonment of supporting the general 

 market which protects compiler and noncomplier alike. Legislation should 

 clearly and definitely require sell-back operations, thus providing cheaper potatoes 

 for consumers and increased risk for noncompliers. 



(6) Require the Department of Agriculture to set up and announce, before 

 November 1 of each year, the essential details of support operations for the fol- 

 lowing year. 



(7) Establish the policy of setting up a representative potato industry advisory 

 group, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, which will be required to meet 

 at regular intervals to review soundness of current procedure and recommend 

 policies for ensuing periods. This will place upon the industry the necessary 

 degree of responsibility for effective direction of national potato policies. 



(8) Effective prosecution of production and marketing research in all pertinent 

 phases by the United States Department of Agriculture in cooperation with 

 State agencies. 



(9) Persistent efforts to develop export markets and establishment of policies 

 designed to keep open these foreign outlets. 



(10) Establish the policy of restricting the opening up of new areas of land for 

 potato growing to the need for such added production. 



(11) In the field of international trade, provide for immediate and effective 

 limitation of potato shipments to countries where support measures are in effect, 

 to prevent dissipation of national resources intended to maintain price-support 

 operations. 



STATEMENT OF AMHERST W. DAVIS, MOUNT SINAI, LONG ISLAND 



Mr. Pace. We will hear next from Mr. Davis of Long Island. 



Mr. Davis. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, my 

 name is Amherst Davis, Mt. Sinai, Long Island. 



I am glad to see my friend, Mr. Macy here, because I might get a 

 little bit nervous, and knowing I have friends here will make me feel 

 better. 



Mr. Pacf. I am sure you have friends here, and a very able Repre- 

 sentative in Mr. Macy. 



Mr. Davis. Thank you. I am very happy to ha"ve the opportunity 

 to appear before you, as an honest to goodness dirt farmer. I make 

 my living on my own 175-acre farm, being the eighth generation in 

 direct line to own and operate the farm where I live. 



I am chairman of the Suffolk County Farm and Home Bureau 

 Association, a strong supporter of all farm organizations, and chair- 

 man of my community agricultural conservation committee. I have 

 always cooperated with the price-support program. I realize the 

 important part a prosperous agriculture plays in the Nation's economy. 



An abundant supply of food at all times is a must, and I hope that 

 the disastrous prices of the early thirties may never be repeated. 



The problems of price support are many, and I realize that new 

 machinery, fertilizer, and growing methods have increased potato 

 yields way beyond the present consumption needs of the country. 



