GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 809 



STATEMENT OF HON. TOM PICKETT, A REPRESENTATIVE IN 

 CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS 



Mr. Pickett. Mr. Chairman, thank you. I might say a word of 

 commendation of the committee and its exhaustive efforts to get to 

 the heart of tlie subject, which is of such broad interest and import. 



It is my pleasure this morning to present to the committee a 

 gentleman from Rusk, Tex., and my district, who not only has personal 

 experience as an actual farmer himself, but has dealt in many fields 

 of agricultural endeavor since he quit farming and went into the 

 broader fields of operation. It is with pleasure that I introduce Mr. 

 J. Perrin Willis, who will speak for himself and other farmers of east 

 Texas as well. 



Mr. Pace. Mr. Willis, we will be glad to hear from you. 



STATEMENT OF J. PERRIN WILLIS, RUSK, TEX. 



Mr. Willis. !Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee: I 

 came down here in the interest of all farmers, particularly the farmers 

 in Texas. 



We content that the agricultural problem is a national problem, 

 not an individual problem. 



A bunch of us gentlemen got together and formed a committee 

 known as the Committee for Economic National Stabilization. Then 

 we began the circulation of a petition, and in that petition we asked 

 the Congress to give us a support price or parity on all farm products. 

 It is our contention if parity is beneficial on six basic crops, it should 

 be extended to all the farm crops, and I should like to read the petition 

 [reading]: 



To the President and the Congress of the United States of America, 

 Washington, D. C. 



Honorable Sirs: We, the undersigned, respectfully petition your honors — 

 the President and the Congress of the United States— to recommend and cause 

 to be passed — such laws and regulations — necessary for the stabilization of our 

 national economy. 



In view of the fact that those engaged in agriculture — farmers — purchase one- 

 third of all manufactured products — representing the largest unit of buying 

 power — it is our belief parity on all farm products, including citrus — 



I understand citrus has not been considered an agricultural product. 

 We who raise citrus believe it is. It is grown on the farm [reading]: 



* * * rather than parity on the six so-called basic crops, as is now, the 

 practice would accomplish the desired results, economic stability. 



During the past several years we have found parity on the six basic crops 

 strengthened our democratic system of government and preserved free enterprise. 

 However, it is our belief, under our democratic government, there should be no 

 law or regulation favoring the few — if parity supplies producers of the six basic 

 crops security and buying power, it then should be extended to cover all farm, 

 products, giving farmers the same protection and security. 



We believe parit}^ on all farm products will produce the following results: 



It would afford a means for balancing wages with the cost of living. 



It would increase the buying power of the farmer and wage earner. 



It would insure against unemployment. 



It would guarantee the farmer a minimum wage and encourage young farmers 

 to remain on the farms. 



It would increase national income and give the Congress a reasonable basis 

 upon which to estimate income for budget and taxes. 



It would insure food for national defense. 



