With reference to the table, Mr. Chairman, you notice there that the ratio in the county offices has increased, and will be further increased under the new estimate. I also want to add here that in making the reductions that we have made, since 1947, in personnel, we have distributed the reduction fairly all up and down the line. I will say that we effected a reduction without raising the average salary which I think is an achievement of which we can be proud, which illustrates absolutely that we did not take the reduction out of the hides of the little fellow. We made it up and down the line. Speaking informally, I want this on the record, though, I am just wondering about our Washington staff. Sometimes I think that I may have shaken it down a little too much and I am probably going to need some more technical assistance this next year than I had contemplated. Gentlemen, that is the end of the formal statement. I will be glad to answer any questions. FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS Mr. WHITTEN. Mr. Lasseter, you have covered rather comprehensively the various programs which are handled by your department. I have some questions with regard to them. I notice for farm ownership loans, the budget estimate is for an additional $5,000,000 which, added to the fifteen millions you had for the present year gives you twenty millions in the next year. You might describe a little more in detail as to the need for this increase. Mr. LASSETER. Well, I think I will elaborate on what I said before, Mr. Chairman, that it has been necessitated by the demand in the reclamation areas due to the enactment of this new law that enables us to make these loans immediately. I want to say this, however, that I am hopeful that the $5,000,000 need not absolutely be confined to that. If the demand out there is less than we expect it to be, after we meet that demand, I certainly would like the privilege of using it in other areas. We estimate 625 loans will be made in that area with the additional funds. FAMILY DISPLACEMENTS DUE TO NEED FOR CREDIT Mr. WHITTEN. I have been seriously disturbed as to the situation which will exist in the whole southern area where farm tenancy and share cropping has been the system throughout the years, and there has been some improvement on it. I supported an amendment on the floor of the House the other day, which failed to carry, which would recognize the effect of the reduction in the cotton allotment on many people who have farmed all their lives, have no means of livelihood and, in effect, have no place to live. I come from that section and have lived there all my life and feel I am qualified to speak of it. So frequently the farm tenant or share cropper who is not needed to farm cotton land ends up without any home. I know that the average landowner is going to make a decided effort to keep as many of his tenants as he can. But under the system, the tenant is there and he expects an advancement of funds throughout the year. It is going to result in some landowners feeling that they have to reduce the number of tenants, who are really renters, but whose whole support comes from advancements from the landowner, with repayment in the fall in the event the crop is sufficient for the tenant to be able to pay. It is a most disturbing thing. So it means that in many cases if these tenants or sharecroppers do not have a cotton allotment, they do not have a home. I wonder if you have made any study as to what the probable number of such people is going to be. Mr. LASSETER. We have, Mr. Chairman. I have it here. We have made a study in 11 Southern States and 6 Western States as to the number of families who would be displaced, and their credit needs. Mr. WHITTEN. I spoke to you earlier about that and asked that you get such information as you could. Mr. LASSETER. As a result of that conversation, I do have this estimate here which I must insist is just an estimate, but it comes up from the county level. I want to add to what you have said, that while a good deal of this present economic trouble in the Southeast is due to boll weevils, their depredations of this past summer, I do not see much hope for things getting any better from now on. I have talked with you, Mr. Whitten, and with a good many other Members of Congress about some program of readjusting the small cotton farmer, and on my trip out West last year, Mr. Horan, I learned that not in your district but south of there, in Idaho, the small, dry-land wheat farm was just about in the same position. Something is going to happen to him, exactly the same thing as has happened to the cotton farmer. I am hopeful that something can be done about it. In fact, the only thing I know that can be done now, and of course it will take some years for it to show up, is to enable us to select those who can make a go of it and try to find land for them, lend them money with which to buy land, and get into some type of farming for themselves of the type that shows some promise of enabling them to get on their feet. This estimate shows a large group in the 11 Southern States; some in the 6 Western States. I will be glad to submit it for the record. Mr. WHITTEN. I would be glad if you would. (The tables referred to are as follows:) Summary of family displacement estimate and need for credit to alleviate effect of changing agricultural conditions in 11 Southern States and 6 Western States |