George Ruble, director, Route 3, Lancaster, Ohio. C. D. Dunlap, manager, 112 South Main Street, Utica, Ohio. Paul McNish, director, Middlefield, Ohio. Clarence N. Krueger, legislative agent, Berlin Heights, Ohio. Wilbur F. Kidnocker, director, Chillicothe, Ohio. Wayne Shidaker, manager, 245 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio. U. S. Kreider, director, Greenville, Illinois. H. F. Eichhorn, manager, Cook Tower, Lima, Ohio. Floyd Freemyer, director, Fort Recovery, Ohio. C. Maurice Wieting, director of information, 245 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio. Representing livestock and wool cooperatives: Paul A. Getz, manager, 2050 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio. A. Roger Collins, director, Route 5, Xenia, Ohio. Franklin C. Smith, director, Groveport, Ohio. Leonard Yochum, director, Sabina, Ohio. F. G. Ketner, manager, 1561 Leonard Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. Howard Davison, sales, 1561 Leonard Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. George Thomson, publicity director, 1561 Leonard Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. J. R. Kimber, manager, Union Stockyards Exchange Building, Cincinnati, Ohio. C. F. Helser, director, Thornville, Ohio. Representing dairy processing and milk producers cooperatives: Dale Dohner, manager, Route 2, Mansfield, Ohio. J. W. Hartsock, manager, 1012 Webster Avenue, Cleveland 15, Ohio. Leslie Mapp, manager, 136 Maple Street, Dayton 2, Ohio. Robert Schiering, director 1, 1711 Stevens Avenue, Mount Healthy, Ohio. Henry Knolman, director, Route 1, Harrison, Ohio. Harry Linebaugh, director, Grove City, Ohio. S. S. Chambers, producers, 3298 Cline Road, Columbus, Ohio. C. J. Windau, director, Pandora, Ohio. C. M. Kaiser, director, Hilliards, Ohio. Paul Quigley, manager, 212 Canton Building, Canton, Ohio. David Gray, director, Route 1, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Robert Mead, fieldman, 22211⁄2 Detroit Avenue, Toledo 6, Ohio. Representing fruit and vegetable cooperatives: Russel Devol, director, Marietta, Ohio. George Watson, manager, 1 Plumb Street, Cincinnati 2, Ohio. Arthur L. Smith, director, 1600 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus 7, Ohio. Representing credit cooperatives: Frank Morisey, director, Paulding, Ohio. Paul Ross, secretary-treasurer, Woolworth Building, Defiance, Ohio. J. E. Elliot, secretary-treasurer, 301-305 Piqua Bank Building, Piqua, Ohio. Earl Skillings, secretary-treasurer, New Zimmerman Building, Springfield, Ohio. Paul R. Mootz, district director, 47 North Washington Street, Columbus, Ohio. Earl R. King, director, McArthur, Ohio. W. E. Stough, director, 109 East Atwood Street, Galion, Ohio. Martin M. Bonar, secretary-treasurer, 1025 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio. Robert E. Henderson, secretary-treasurer, Wapak Theater Building, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Paul B. Holway, director, West Jefferson Representing poultry and egg cooperatives: Ralph M. Crooks, manager, Versailles, Ohio. Roy Zimmerman, manager, Box 5031, Tr-Village Station, Columbus 12, Ohio. From Ohio State University: George B. Crane, assistant director, Agriculture Extension Service. Robert H. Pelley, dairy economist. Francis C. Byrnes, agricultural extension editor. Dr. J. I. Falconer, chairman, department of agricultural economics. C. W. Hammans, extension economist. Dr. George G. Henning, professor of marketing. From Agricultural Mobilization Committee: Robert Miles, chairman, Ohio Agricultural Mobilization Committee. Albert C. Koehler, member, State PMA committee. Edgar F. Hempy, State director, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. D. T. Herrman, Soil Conservation Service. C. A. Gehrig, State director, Farmers Home Administration. A. W. Marion, director, State department of natural resources. Warren G. Weiler, State director of vocational agriculture. Paul R. Mootz, Farm Credit Administration. Guests and speakers: J. K. Stern, president, American Institute of Cooperation, 744 Jackson Place NW., Washington, D. C. Harold Hedges, Chief, Cooperative Research and Service Division, Farm Credit Administration, Washington, D. C. Wesley Windisch, chief, bureau of markets, Ohio Department of Agriculture. J. E. Garrison, farm editor, Dayton Daily News, Dayton, Ohio. Walter L. Bluck, executive secretary, Ohio Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Inc., 145 North High Street, Columbus 15, Ohio. Hon. CLIFFORD HOPE, NEW VIENNA, OHIO, October 16, 1953. Chairman of Agricultural Committee, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I wish to state my thinking as part of a suggested farm program. First, control of production is essential to success in any farm program which in any way fixes prices. Second, control must in some way prevent diverted acres from causing difficulties with other crops. Therefore, I suggest that a control system be a certain percent of tillable land in crops harvested each year. This to be considered a maximum amount of acres a farmer could use each year, but would not effect operation of less than the specified base percentage. Each farmer would use his own judgment in his farm operation anywhere up to the base. I further suggest that 65 percent be nearer to a proper starting point. As an example, it would operate thus: A farmer having 100 acres of tillable land could grow 65 acres of cotton or 65 acres of wheat or 65 acres of corn. In diversified farming any combination of grain and fiber crops could be grown up to a total of 65 acres. The Secretary of Agriculture would determine when and what the base percentage should be. Sincerely, E. J. COOK. GIBSONBURG, OHIO, October 18, 1953. Hon. CLIFFORD HOPE, Chairman of House Agricultural Committee. As a farmer, I wish to state my views to the committee. For industry it's cost plus; for labor it's cost of living; but for the farmer it's parity, which will not give him even half he is entitled to. In 1947, when the farmer's income was at a record high, prices received by the farmer were way above parity, yet he received only 10.1 percent of the national income when he should have received 19.3 percent of the national income, as the farmers represented 19.3 percent of the population. According to the January 30, 1953, issue of the Toledo Blade, 10 Wood County farmers 1952 net incomes averaged $1,770, then prices were at parity or above. Wood county is one of the most fertile counties in Ohio. Is that all it's worth for the most important job of feeding and clothing this Nation? The administration talks of the high support prices causing a surplus, yet in the next breath they advise using more fertilizer, etc., to increase our yield and cut cost. The lower the price the more we have to raise to meet our expenses and living cost. The processor isn't going to pay the farmer what he is entitled to unless compelled to by law. Evidently the leaders of the three large farm organizations do not believe in equality for agriculture, if they do it's high time they support a cost of production bill. I am referring to various bills, such as the Senate bill, S. 570, and identical House bill on which hearings were held in 1939. It certainly is a tragedy that farmers no longer have farm leaders like John Simpson Everson, Reno, and Kennedy. It's time that Congress give the farmer the average cost of production for that part consumed at home or put industry, railroad, utilities companies and everybody else on 50-90 parity basis. Why talk about equality and justice for all, actions speak louder than words? Thank you, Respectfully yours, RICHARD DEPNER. The CHAIRMAN. The next witness following Mr. Lane will be Mr. H. M. Leitnaker, of Columbus, Ohio. STATEMENT OF JIM LANE, XENIA, OHIO Mr. LANE. Chairman Hope and members of the Agriculture Committee: I am Jim Lane, of rural route No. 3, Xenia, Ohio. My sons and I with other employees, grow fruit and pasture on 100 acres of variable topography in western Greene County. I am chairman of the board of supervisors of the Greene County Soil Conservation District, and past president of the Ohio Federation of Districts. In the work of soil conservation we have enjoyed wonderful cooperation with the Agricultural Extension Service and other agencies. Our extension agents taught us the need of conserving our soil and other natural resources, and how to acquire and organize a soil conservation district. However, the entire program and plan of work of the duly elected board of local supervisors would fall very flat but for the action of the Soil Conservation Service technicians, assisted by the Forest Service, Extension Service, Research, and others. These service men have helped our farmers to walk the rainfall down the hills by terraces and sod waterways-holding some of it in ponds for livestock watering, garden irrigation, fire protection to buildings, and recreation. They have covered many ugly scars with beautiful plantings. They have helped us improve our soils through rotation and our incomes, and tax returns, through many better practices. These planners get farmer action applied on the things they know to be good. And back of the mare those who have trained them, and who should continue to train other young men in the technicalities of saving the soil. I do not know all the workings of the Soil Conservation Service, but I do know this; break down that service and the same men will be doing the same work under another agency or department, after wasting time in making the change; or the real activity of saving the soil will revert to lethargy and loss. Soil conservation is not only a Greene County, Ohio, problem, but it is a national problem and a costly one; though not nearly as costly to carry out as it is to neglect it. In my own district farmers are asking for assistance beyond our present staff of technician's ability to produce. They are not asking for Government payments on practices that will return profits in themselves, but for technical guidance in saving their soils. They are more interested in how to do, than in payments for doing it. Therefore, funds allotted to the Soil Conservation Service are not sufficient to do the job, and those available through other programs are being left in the coffers. Farmers are not alone in this new interest. True, 5 local farmers supervise the program without 1 cent of pay, but business and industry are backing it with financial contributions. Educators are incorporating it in school curriculum. Writers and speakers are spreading its gospel over the mike and through newsprint and magazine. Soil conservation is popular-just as a wellfilled coal bin is popular. The soil is basic to every phase of agriculture and living that my neighbors, here, have mentioned to you today, and the work of saving it is vital, requiring specially trained men, available from no other source than that which has supplied them thus far. These men are scientists, specialists, with the best-trained men in their field. Their entire time and efforts are focused on one job. Let us not diminish but rather expand research. Precious little rain has fallen on my land for the past 17 months, while the Little Miami still flows by at the foot of the hill. I would like to know how many thousands of thousands of gallons of that river water, converted into acre-inches, would be required by my Bellefontaine silt loam to produce large, juicy, red strawberries in June; or by gravelly loam on my ridge-top to bring Hale Haven peaches to their full luscious flavor in August, or that tangy vinous taste and rich red coloring to Stayman Winesap apples in October; or what would be the requirement on my Russell silt loam to keep a plush green carpet of grasses and legumes on my pastures from April to December. Not only I, but many other farmers want to know a lot of things that can be ascertained through research. I would love to see this grand old land of ours restored to as much as possible of its original productivity and beauty, and the glory be given to God and His Son who made it. Honorable gentlemen, you have the happy opportunity to so honor them by keeping in effect a proven system, without disruption, change or abandonment until a better method has been developed, tried and proved. I thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mr. Lane. Mr. Leitnaker is the next witness. Following him will be Earl Chaney of Tiffin, Ohio, who was called earlier but who was temporarily out of the room. The Chair would like to read the following telegram which has been delivered. The telegram is addressed to Hon. James G. Polk, Agriculture Committee: "Unexpectedly prevented from attending meeting today. Express my regrets to Chairman Hope." That is signed by Mr. Reeves, Congressman from the Ninth District. We are sorry Mr. Reeves is not able to be present. We appreciate his telegram. Mr. Leitnaker? STATEMENT OF H. M. LEITNAKER, COLUMBUS, OHIO Mr. LEITNAKER. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, I am H. M. Leitnaker and I have indulged in grain farming, livestock feeding all my life. At the present time I am also active in livestock marketing. I too have prepared a statement that has much to do with production, distribution price, and so forth, along with economics and in general our relationships with capital, labor, and industry. As a matter of courtesy I would like to omit the reading of this statement. I appreciate that time is vital in this meeting. The CHAIRMAN. The statement will become a part of the record in its entirety. (The document referred to is as follows:) STATEMENT BY H. M. LEITNAKER,' COLUMBUS, OHIO, OCTOBER 20, 1953 During the last century, prices for agricultural products in the United States were low in comparison with prices in other parts of the world, and we experienced a good export outlet for our products. We were able to exchange our agricultural production not needed at home for imported goods, or pay our foreign debts. Wages and the production costs of other goods were proportioned directly to agricultural prices and agricultural buying power. But today, the cost of agricultural production is so high in comparison with other parts of the world that we now have the problem of imported agricultural products and the need for tariff protection. Farm commodity prices are low in comparison with the cost of production, or to the cost of other goods within our own economy. Agriculture was at a great disadvantage during the 1930's because of idle money and idle men. There are indications that agriculture again is facing a squeeze, but with this difference at the present time we have no idle money nor idle men. Industrial employment and wages are tops. While we agree that labor is our best customer, it is within the exchange of our labor, goods, and services that the odds are against us. In other words, parity is lacking. DISTRIBUTION Our agricultural capacity to produce is tremendous. While consumption is good today, distribution is not adequate. The result is surpluses of basic commodities. At least we have enough surpluses to lower prices. Capital, labor, and industry operate somewhat on fixed prices or cost plus. Agriculture operates on a free market. So, there is a problem, and it is well accepted. Can we regulate either the supply or the demand? Both nature and human nature are unpredictable. Therefore, the economy established for one-eighth of our population does not fit well with that of other groups. Farm programs and price supports to date have given relief but have not solved the problems relative to distribution. The proposed two-price system for wheat has been referred to as a nonacreage allotment wheat program productionwise. However, in setting up the individual State, county, and farm share of the domestic allowance to sell at parity, you automatically have to establish acreage and yield figures, in order to arrive at a domestic bushel allotment. Why produce and contribute to a world market which might be as little as 50 percent of our parity? 1 Mr. Leitnaker has been a grain farmer and livestock producer and feeder in Fairfield County, Ohio, for 44 years. |