situation demands strong unified Federal leadership since much of our grazing land is overstocked, run down and eroding. These lands must be restored to good condition, the watersheds upon them must be controlled and livestock production must be built up. This vitally essential program will not be achieved without unified Federal leadership, which the Department of Agriculture is best suited to provide. In summary, (1) trees and grass and grazing of livestock are agricultural functions; (2) the greater part of Federal responsibility for these functions is now in the Department of Agriculture; and (3) the purpose the land serves, rather than any division based on public and private ownership, should govern its placement in government. A division of patents, record-keeping, service, etc., is not a valid objection to the contemplated transfers since their administration would not be a difficult problem. Citizens Committee for the Hoover Report - Proposes amendment to sec. 7 (a) (1) ex tending exemption from proposed trans- "(e) Transfer of functions under clause tary of Agriculture to transfer any land "(f) Within twelve months of the date Also proposed deletion of that part of Opposes (Transfers of property relating to secs. 7 (a) (1) and 7 (a) (2)) (Requires that State vocational agriculture be administered in accordance with established practice through established channels) Witness SECTION 8 (Direct appropriations for commodity supports in lieu of sec. 32 funds) D. Howard Doane, former member Hoover John A. Baker, National Farmers Union, William F. Finan, Assistant Director, Ad- John J. Riggle, Assistant Secretary, National Secretary of Agriculture Charles F. Brannan, (Abolishes local, county and State agricultural committees) SECTION 10 (a) (Creates one State agricultural advisory council and one county agricultural advisory council in each State and each county) Senator George D. Aiken, Aug. 28. Dr. Arthur S. Flemming, former member Dr. H. P. Rusk, dean of agriculture, Univer- D. Howard Doane, former member Hoover E. S. Trask, general manager, Upper Snake Frank J. Brice, Waterbury, Conn., repre- Does not favor abolition of committees. Opposes both sections, as new committee structure would not give sufficient recognition to forestry activities; sec. 10 imposes semiadministrative authority on existing legally constituted local agencies; and such additional overlay of authority would set back fire control, reforestation and forest management programs many years. Amendment: Exempt all forestry and grazing activities. |