ARTHUR M. HYDE, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, ex officio CHRIS L. CHRISTENSEN, Secretary Brief answers are given in this circular to general questions most commonly asked concerning the activities of the Federal Farm Board in administering the Agricultural Marketing Act. No attempt is made in this circular to answer questions pertaining to the marketing plans for the handling of any particular farm crop. ISSUED BY FEDERAL FARM BOARD 1300 E STREET NW., WASHINGTON, D. Q TED STATES OF AMERIC, 5/22/30 PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT TO FEDERAL FARM BOARD President Hoover made the following statement of less than 300 words to members of the Federal Farm Board at their first meeting held at the White House on Monday, July 15, 1929: "I have no extended statement to make to the Federal Farm Board as to its duties. The wide authority and the splendid resources placed at your disposal are well known. "I am deeply impressed with the responsibilities which lie before you. Your fundamental purpose must be to determine the fact and to find solution to a multitude of agricultural problems, among them to more nearly adjust production to need; to create permanent business institutions for marketing which, owned and controlled by the farmers, shall be so wisely devised and soundly founded and well managed that they, by effecting economies and giving such stability, will grow in strength over the years to come. Through these efforts we may establish to the farmer an equal opportunity in our economic system with other industry. "I know there is not a thinking farmer who does not realize that all this can not be accomplished by a magic wand or an overnight action. Real institutions are not built that way. If we are to succeed, it will be by strengthening the foundations and the Initiative which we already have in farm organizations, and building steadily upon them with the constant thought that we are building not for the present only but for next year and the next decade. "In selecting this board I have sought for suggestions from the many scores of farmers' cooperatives and other organizations and yours were the names most universally commended; you are thus in a sense the representatives of organized agriculture itself. I congratulate each of you upon the distinction of his colleagues and by your appointment I invest you with responsibility, authority, and resources such as have never before been conferred by our Government in assistance to any industry." (III) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GENERAL What is the Federal Farm Board? A. The Federal Farm Board, created to administer the agricultural marketing act, is composed of eight members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Secretary of Agriculture is ex officio member of the board. 2. Q. Is the Federal Farm Board a division of the United States Department of Agriculture, or an independent unit? A. The Federal Farm Board is an independent unit, but is cooperating with the Federal Department of Agriculture and other governmental agencies to avoid duplication of services. 3. Q. What is the length of term of the members of the Federal Farm Board? A. Six years. The terms of the first board members expire as follows: 2 at the end of the first year, 2 at the end of the second year, 1 at the end of the third year, 1 at the end of the fourth year, 1 at the end of the fifth year, and 1 at the end of the sixth year. In case of a vacancy, the appointment is only for the unexpired term. 4. Q. When did the agricultural marketing act become a law? A. June 15, 1929, when it was signed by President Hoover. 5. Q. When did the Federal Farm Board begin its work? A. Members of the Federal Farm Board met for the first time on July 15, 1929. The President called them into this meeting which was held at the White House. 6. Q. What general policy was laid down by Congress to guide the Federal Farm Board? A. The Federal Farm Board is charged with carrying into effect the policy of Congress as expressed in the agricultural marketing act, which is as follows: "To promote the effective merchandising of agricultural commodities in interstate and foreign commerce, so that the industry of agriculture will be placed on a basis of economic equality with other industries." More specifically, the policy is expressed as follows: "To protect, control, and stabilize the currents of interstate and foreign commerce in the marketing of agricultural commodities and their food products "(1) By minimizing speculation. "(2) By preventing inefficient and wasteful methods of distribution. "(3) By encouraging the organization of producers into effective associations or corporations under their own control for greater unity of effort in marketing and by promoting the establishment and |