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Editorial
January 31, 1950
Madison County Democrat
London, Madison County, Ohio
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes Secretary Brannan's agricultural plan, arguing it is a political scheme that subsidizes farmers at taxpayer expense, promotes socialism, and will be rejected by Congress despite appealing to short-sighted voters.
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BRANNAN PLAN APPEAL
Secretary of Agriculture Brannan recently came up with a statement which, boiled down, means that so far as the agricultural situation is concerned "something has got to be done."
Most farm experts agree with Secretary Brannan but there is sharp disagreement as to what ought to be done.
Secretary Brannan has come up with the Brannan Plan which would play both ends against the middle at the expense of the taxpayers. Most farm leaders do not agree with him. But since Secretary Brannan now believes that the support price program should be repealed for something "better" this would seem to be an admission that so far as he is concerned the support price program is a failure. Prices have sunk to the support level and surplus crops keep on piling up. They cannot be disposed of and continued price support only keeps the price up and, therefore, discourages consumption.
The Brannan Plan is, of course, purely a political plan. By it the administration hopes that with prices allowed to seek their own level the cost of food will go down, satisfying the consumer in the city. But with the government paying the farmer a subsidy out of the treasury to give him a price which the government thinks will satisfy him, the New Dealers expect to garner their share of the farm vote.
One catch is that in order to make the plan work even for a year or two there must be strict regulation of what the farmer raises and how much he raises. Here is where the far-seeing farmer objects to the Brannan Plan. He sees in it a step toward socialism and eventual loss of control of his farm.
Prominent farm leaders even among the farm co-operatives have rejected the Brannan Plan as impractical and damaging to the nation's economy. The Eighty-First Congress will not enact it into law. But this does not mean that it will not have powerful political appeal. It will have such appeal among those who think about the present season and no further ahead. The consumer will like the promise of cheaper food prices and many farmers will in their fear of lower prices turn to the bait offered by the Brannan Plan. There are a lot of short-sighted folks in the country.
Opponents of the Brannan Plan should not lose sight of that fact.
Secretary of Agriculture Brannan recently came up with a statement which, boiled down, means that so far as the agricultural situation is concerned "something has got to be done."
Most farm experts agree with Secretary Brannan but there is sharp disagreement as to what ought to be done.
Secretary Brannan has come up with the Brannan Plan which would play both ends against the middle at the expense of the taxpayers. Most farm leaders do not agree with him. But since Secretary Brannan now believes that the support price program should be repealed for something "better" this would seem to be an admission that so far as he is concerned the support price program is a failure. Prices have sunk to the support level and surplus crops keep on piling up. They cannot be disposed of and continued price support only keeps the price up and, therefore, discourages consumption.
The Brannan Plan is, of course, purely a political plan. By it the administration hopes that with prices allowed to seek their own level the cost of food will go down, satisfying the consumer in the city. But with the government paying the farmer a subsidy out of the treasury to give him a price which the government thinks will satisfy him, the New Dealers expect to garner their share of the farm vote.
One catch is that in order to make the plan work even for a year or two there must be strict regulation of what the farmer raises and how much he raises. Here is where the far-seeing farmer objects to the Brannan Plan. He sees in it a step toward socialism and eventual loss of control of his farm.
Prominent farm leaders even among the farm co-operatives have rejected the Brannan Plan as impractical and damaging to the nation's economy. The Eighty-First Congress will not enact it into law. But this does not mean that it will not have powerful political appeal. It will have such appeal among those who think about the present season and no further ahead. The consumer will like the promise of cheaper food prices and many farmers will in their fear of lower prices turn to the bait offered by the Brannan Plan. There are a lot of short-sighted folks in the country.
Opponents of the Brannan Plan should not lose sight of that fact.
What sub-type of article is it?
Agriculture
Economic Policy
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Brannan Plan
Agricultural Policy
Farm Subsidies
Price Support
Socialism In Farming
What entities or persons were involved?
Secretary Brannan
Farm Leaders
New Dealers
Eighty First Congress
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of The Brannan Plan
Stance / Tone
Opposed To The Brannan Plan
Key Figures
Secretary Brannan
Farm Leaders
New Dealers
Eighty First Congress
Key Arguments
Brannan Plan Is A Political Scheme At Taxpayer Expense
Admits Failure Of Support Price Program
Leads To Socialism And Loss Of Farm Control
Rejected By Farm Leaders As Impractical
Appeals To Short Sighted Consumers And Farmers