GENERAL FARM PROGRAM 1189 



somewhere else to satisfy his wants. We want the Department 

 of Agricuhm-e to get out of the road so a maximum of business can 

 be done. 



And we want our home markets protected for our production, with 

 tariffs high enough to force foreign goods to be used only when domestic 

 supplies or substitutes are not available. W^ want the same protection 

 on our goods that industry has through the tariff and labor through 

 the immigration laws. 



We face the futm-e. with confidence that you men of Congress 

 will reject this proposal and permit America to continue as the leader, 

 under the same system of individual freedom from Government 

 domination that has brought it leadership of the world. 



(Table accompanying Mr. Pickell's statement appears on the follow- 

 ing page.) 



Mr. Pace. At this point I would like to have inserted in the record 

 a telegram from P. O. Wilson, secretary. National Livestock Producers, 

 and a telegram from C. W. Mitchell, secretary, American Pork Pro- 

 ducers Associated. 



Denver Colo., June 4, 1949. 

 Mabel Downey, 



Clerk, House Agriculture Committee, 



House Office Building, Washington, D. C: 



We appreciate committee's invitation, but due to other commitments will be 

 unable to have representative at June 7 hearing. Our position on Secretary 

 Brannan's plan is unchanged. Please refer our statement to committee at 

 May 2 hearing. 



National Livestock Producers, 

 P. O. Wilson, Secretary. 



Decatur, III., June 6, 1949. 

 Mabel Downey, 



Clerk, Subcommittee on Agriculture, 



Neiv House Office Building, Washington, D. C: 

 Regret inability to attend or get anyone to attend hearing on hog supports on 

 this short notice. With the limited information available we feel the suggestions 

 of the Secretary of Agriculture would be entirely too expensive and no more 

 effective in operation than direct purchases'of pork products. We are unalterably 

 opposed to any program which would lead to arbitrary curbs on production. 

 We much prefer variable support prices to any system leading to artificially high 

 prices to producers at the expense of the Public Treasury. 



American Pork Producers Associated, 

 C. W. Mitchell, Secretary. 



Mr. Pace. Thank you, Mr. Pickeh. 



I have only one question. The Secretary of Agriculture has an- 

 nounced a support-price program for hogs. What is your recommen- 

 dation as to how he should carry out his commitment? 



Mr. PiCKELL. In the first place, why did he ask for an increase of 

 19 percent if the market is going to go below the support prices? I 

 think if he will tell the farmers that the increase has been less, that the 

 price might go below the support price level, and therefore if he will 

 do everythmg possible to urge them not to market their hogs above a 

 weight of 250 pounds, but to concentrate on weights between 200 and 

 235 pounds, the reduction in total production of meat will offset the 

 reduction in increased numbers. It will produce more of the desirable 

 cuts of meat which the packers can sell at a profit. It will produce 

 less of the lard on which they are being forced to take losses right now 

 of 8 to 10 cents a hundred. He just will not need to support the price. 



