GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 939 



We believe the key to the whole potato support program is the 

 solving of the problem of how best to handle and dispose of that portion 

 of the crop that is actually surplus for each annual crop. 



One step that can be taken is the quarantining and disposal of 

 ring-rot diseased potatoes that are causing millions of dollars damage 

 to potato growers annually. Other diseased and low-grade potatoes 

 should be processed or disposed of for stock feed. Purchases imme- 

 diately after harvest of each grower's proportionate share of the sur- 

 plus, the withholding of these purchases from consumptive channels 

 may assist in preventing market gluts. 



We are firmly convinced that direct subsidies which allow the surplus 

 to glut the market is not the answer to the problem. It will not 

 materially increase consumption. The surplus potatoes will con- 

 stantly depress the market, will prevent any orderly system of dis- 

 posal, and will still necessitate the Government purchases of the 

 remainder of the crop at the end of the shipping season. 



We do not ask nor do we want support in the form of charity. We 

 do believe that a sincere desire to profit by the mistakes of the former 

 program can bring forth a workable plan that will be fair to both pro- 

 ducers and consumers. The growers of the Manistique area believe 

 that a support-price program along the lines of the presently author- 

 ized program with some of the faults mentioned above ehminated 

 will give stability to the market which farmers should have to con- 

 tinue in the potato-growing business. They fear a direct-subsidy- 

 payment plan which will permit surplus market conditions to exist 

 will result in waste, and will cost the Government more money in 

 direct payments. 



We assure you that we shall continue to strive for more efficient 

 production and more efficient distribution, with our goal the highest 

 quality potatoes at the lowest possible cost on the table of the 

 consumer. 



A sound potato support program honestly arrived at and fairly 

 administered will in the opinion of our growers be a major factor in 

 attaining that goal. 



(The statement containing the list of growers heretofore referred to 

 follows :) 



We, the undersigned potato growers of the Schoolcraft County, Mich., area, 

 believing that a successful potato support program is essential to the welfare and 

 stability of the potato producer, and is also conducive to the best interest of the 

 consumer, do hereby subscribe the amount sufficient for defraying the expenses 

 of a representative from this group to attend a hearing in Washington, D. C, on 

 May 4, of the Pace subcommittee on the potato support program, for the purpose 

 of assisting in any way possible in securing corrections where needed in the present 

 program, or in providing information that may be beneficial in providing an 

 improved measure for the future potato support program. 



Gordon Beacom, Chris S. Petersoii, John Tanguay, Oscar Peterson, 

 Alvin Siddall, P. V. Thelander, Wm. Winkel, Wm. Strasler, 

 John Hartman, James Kelly, Jules Tanguay, Ernest Bochorny, 

 Virgil Wright, Albert Huebcher, Wm. McEachern, John 

 Spielmacher, Lester Richards, Otto Winkel, Kenneth McGahan, 

 Marie McGahan, John Haindl, Joseph Hardy, Wm. Popour, 

 Wilfred Demers, Garland Wolfe, Rosario Popour, Virgil Fox, 

 Chas. Reid, Henry McGahan, John Neadow, John McCormick, 

 Ray L. Lausten, Herb Olsen, Joe Haindl. 



