GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 935 



before coming before you men. We have tried to do so and have 

 prepared an over-aU statement that has received the approval of men 

 from all sections of the country, and with the approval of the chairman 

 and members of the committee, I would like to refer particular 

 questions on any particular jjhase of these recommendations to the 

 committee member who I think is more able to answer it, and also 

 not to be too much burden on the committee. 



To start with we have asked Mr. Claude Botkin, a farmer of 

 Arvin, Calif., to present a general statement on behalf of the National 

 Potato Council. 



Mr. Pace. Thank you very much, Mr. Case. We will be glad to 

 hear from Mr. Botkin at this time. 



STATEMENT OF CLAUDE E. BOTKIN, ARVIN, CALIF., MEMBER 

 NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL 



Mr. Botkin. Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee, for 

 the record, my name is Claude E. Botkin; I am a farmer, living in 

 Arvin, Calif., and I am speaking on behalf of the National Potato 

 Council. 



The potato producers of the United States, speaking tlu'ough the 

 National Potato Council, are very appreciative of this opportunity 

 to appear before this subcommittee to give you the benefit of our 

 knowledge and experience in your worthy attempt to find a solution 

 to our perplexing agricultural problems. 



First of all, our farmers are keenly conscious of the fact that potatoes 

 have^ become the "whipping boy" of the agricultural price-support 

 program. Therefore, we welcome this opportunity to say to you 

 gentlemen that the actual operation of this program is not as potato 

 men expected it to be, nor is it as they desire it to be. 



The results have been due more to the exceptionally favorable 

 climatic conditions that predominated the last few years, than to the 

 mtention of potato men, or to any failures of proper planning on the 

 part of the Department of Agriculture. 



As a matter of fact, potato growers, on the whole, have done almost 

 exactly what the Department has requested of them under the pro- 

 grams that have been in effect. 



As a group, potato farmers have complied with the Department's 

 acreage program. In each of the last 3 years, the potato-planted 

 acreage has not even equaled the national acreage recommended by 

 the Department. The indicated 1949 acreage is 1,900,000 acres, the 

 lowest in 70 years. 



In view of this wholehearted compliance with the program, it is 

 obvious that the costs of the potato program have been due primarily 

 to high per acre yields and to a sharp falling off in consumption. 



In addition to the unusually favorable climatic conditions, there 

 have been other factors, such as the use of new type insecticides 

 and improved cultural practices. 



The National Potato Coimcil is frank to say that potato growers 

 themselves are deeply concerned over the cost of the program and 

 have repeatedly sought methods whereby it might be reduced. 



The record on this is rather complete. As far back as May 1948 

 potato growers, meeting here in Washington, recommended to their 

 Senators and Representatives that changes be made in the potato 



