1128 GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 



We agree, too, thai the Brannan plan, or any new plan such as our suggested 

 "insurance" system, should be tried out in a pilot plant operation. The Secre- 

 tary's suggestion is to try it on hogs and perhaps with milk; but we wonder if" 

 hogs, in particular, would give a fair trial. The question arises about the effect 

 on competitive meats; and about the feeding of grains whose prices are supported. 

 It would seem better to try the plan on an unrelated commodity, of which cotton 

 would be an example. A free market price for cotton would not upset other agri- 

 cultural relationships. It would keep cotton competitive with synthetics, and 

 also in international trade. It would discourage undue expansion of foreign pro- 

 duction. All in all, it should help to clear out our surpluses. 



These and other problems point to the need for flexibility in any farm program. 

 We think the administrative officials need considerable freedom of action. We 

 like the National Grange recommendation that they be assisted by an advisory 

 council. This council should be empowered to contract for an independent and 

 continuing study of farm problems by a group of economic advisers. This might 

 be accomplished imder an arrangement with the Association of Land Grant Col- 

 leges and Universities, or with the Brookings Institution, or some similar agency. 



We hope that the result of the committee's painstaking study will be a forward 

 step in agricultural policy. In the last analysis, your action will be judged by its 

 effect on the farmer, himself. If he is misguided by fallacious price policy, he will 

 pay for it in restrictive coercement. This may not greatly hurt the big operator; 

 but what becomes of the family-sized and marginal producer? 



Within the framework of strong government we need economic institutions that 

 also allow freedom. The farmer is clearly identified with American capitalism, 

 and capitalism is uniquely geared to the farmer. Our farm programs, therefore, 

 .should not lose sight of the basic market principle; the action of prices, wages, 

 profits, and investments in performing their duties. 



To this end, our programs must be workable, within the pattern of a democratic 

 economy. It is a difficult task to protect farm income, at the same time preserv- 

 ing the delicate price mechanism that operates to keep things in balance. 



It is for this reason that we decided to experiment with the idea of "farm income 

 insurance." This statement goes into rather full detail, but it is not because the 

 outline is thought to be complete or perfected. Our object is to give the committee 

 the possible benefit of our prolonged study from this viewpoint. 



Regardless of the action that is taken, we are mindful that our industry deals 

 in commodities chronically in surplus. We have a vital interest in the success 

 of programs that affect them. In the past, we have done our best to help make 

 the plans workable. We shall continue to strive for their success in the future. 



LouisiAN.^. Department of AGRiruLTTTRE am) Immigration, 



Baton Rouge 1, April 23, 1949. 

 Hon. Walter K. Granger, M. C., 



Chairman, Subcommitiee No. 3, Committee on Agriculture, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. 



Dear Congressman Granger: It is indeed regretted that previous commit- 

 ments make it impossible to he present and present testimony in support of price 

 support for honey on April 27 at 10 a. m. If at all possible, I should appreciate 

 very much having read into the records for consideration by your committee 

 and the Coi\gress the following comments in support of price support for honey. 



It is my firm belief that the importance of the beekeeping industry of this 

 country has not been given sufficient recognition, because the production of honey 

 is so completely o\'ershadowed by the huge volume of production and the value of 

 other agricultural crops (including livestock). However, as a means of liveli- 

 hood, the production of honey is the justification of beekeepers staying in business. 



in reality, the production of honey could in all propriety be regarded as having 

 No. 2 place in the economic importance to agriculture of keeping Ijees. The real 

 importance of bees to agriculture is as a pollinizing agent. According to the United 

 States Department of Agriculture, some 50 agricultural crops are dependent to 

 a very great extent on bees for proprr pollination to h'- assured of profitable 

 production of seed and/or fruit. 



If production of many of these agricultural crops was reduced because of lack 

 of pollination, it would seriously affect the economy of this country. (As an 

 illustriation, clovers and various other legumes play a very important part in 

 the soil-conservation program, and are also an important source of feed in the 

 form of hay for livestock production, as well as the development of pastures for 



