APPROPRIATION FOR SOUTH CAROLINA EXPERIMENT THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEVENTIETH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION 235 Petr COUNTY AGENTS IN FLOOD-STRICKEN AREAS-ANNUAL APPROPRIATION FOR SOUTH CAROLINA EXPERIMENT STATION TO AMEND THE ACT OF MAY 29, 1884, ETC. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The committee this day met, Hon. Gilbert N. Haugen (chairman) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order. This hearing is on H. J. Res. No. 4, introduced by Mr. Aswell. Mr. ASWELL. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, this resolution, H. J. Res. No. 4, speaks for itself. Very briefly, it was prepared by Doctor Warburton of the department. I took it then to see the President and he said, "I think very highly of it." So, that is as far as we have gone. I think that Doctor Warburton can give us the facts on it in a very few minutes. I am very anxious to get it reported and can get unanimous consent to get it before the House. The CHAIRMAN. We will be very glad to hear Doctor Warburton. STATEMENT BY DR. C. W. WARBURTON, DIRECTOR, AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WASHINGTON, D. C. Doctor WARBURTON. As you know, the cooperative extension agents, the county agricultural and home demonstration agents are supported by Federal funds, under the Smith-Lever Act, State appropriations, and county appropriations. Usually the major portion of the expense is borne by the county. Throughout the flood area of the lower Mississippi Valley from southeastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois down to the Gulf, particularly on the west side of the river the counties, during the past few months since the flood, and during the coming year or two will be put to unusual and extraordinary expenses in the repair of roads and bridges, payments on the poor relief fund, and other expenses incident to the flood. Some of the counties are already finding it very difficult to continue their usual payment on salaries of county extension agents. Another factor that enters into it is that many of the people, both farmers and townspeople, are unable, under the present situation, to pay their taxes, and of course, taxable values have been reduced as a result of the flood, so that the county incomes to-day are less than in normal years. |