964 GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 



The Florida winter deal was always a high-priced deal, and they 

 followed the program of the 60 percent of parity divided between the 

 I's and 2's based on past history, which made that price look high. 

 It dropped May 1 because historically the prices do drop, as other 

 areas come in. 



The price we have today, I grant, is a pretty good price for No. 2's, 

 but a poor price for No. I's. We do hope that all of the low grades 

 M'ill go to the Government. They can be bought for much less money 

 and that will have the effect of giving consumers the better potatoes. 

 That is the potato men's own recommendation. 



Mr. Pace. This is not clear to me. If they are supported at the 

 same price, the I's and 2's, how do you say the Government can buy 

 the 2's cheaper than they can buy the I's? 



Mr. Case. Their total purchases will be cheaper because I think 

 the farmer will certainly give them the lowest grade he has. The 

 farmer will get no premium for his No. I's today, except on the 

 commercial market. The Government's price is low, with the hope 

 of taking off the less desirable commodities. 



Mr. Pace. Are you about ready with your report now? 



Mr. Case. I am sorry, sir; it has not come in yet. 



Mr. Chairman, Mr. John Wickliam, the farmer from Long Island, 

 wishes to make a statement while we are waiting. 



Mr. Pace. All right ; we will be glad to hear from 3^ou, Mr. Wickham. 



FURTHER STATEMENT OF JOHN WICKHAM, CUTCHOGUE. LONG 



ISLAND, N. Y. 



Mr. Wickham. I am John Wickham, Cutchogue, Long Island, N. Y. 

 I am a potato grower and vegetable grower. 



Mr. Chairman and Members of Congress, it appears to me from the 

 hearing this morning that perhaps we, the potato industrj', have been 

 off on the wrong foot; that we have been explaining to you how this 

 and that and the third portion of our program would work under 

 supposed conditions. 



I feel perhaps it is advisable at this time or some time to present 

 you with the broad view; in other words, the policy outline of this 

 thing which we are trying to do. I think in a measure that perhaps 

 I am better qualified than most to do it because I am a one-horse 

 farmer. As a matter of fact, I am the horse. I do not know all these 

 details. I do not know how it works in Florida. I do not know how it 

 works at the Washington level or at any other level. But I do know, 

 and I feel very strongly, that the potato farmers of the LTnited States 

 have certain very definite problems. They have certain very definite 

 recommendations. Without a clear conception of these problems 

 and of our views an our policy, it is really shooting in the dark to try 

 to explain to you or any other group how it will work out. I would like 

 to outline, if I can, some of our policies. Then perhaps some of my 

 colleagues will fill in. Tt appears to me that the potato growers of the 

 United States to day have reached a certain crossroads. They have 

 reached a certain point; that is, the market saturation point. I submit 

 to you that there may be other agricultural commodities which may 

 soon reach that point, but potato farmers of America are there, and 

 have been there for 2 years. They have tried in their own industry 

 to solve some of these problems, to chart a course from that point 



