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Story
March 30, 1956
Toledo Union Journal
Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
What is this article about?
Walter P. Reuther warns at National Farmers Union convention that declining farm income threatens industrial workers and economy, citing auto industry stats and criticizing Agriculture Secretary Ezra Taft Benson's approach.
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Farm Decline
Hurts Workers,
Says Reuther
Workers and businessmen will be "lying on shaky stilts" so long as farm income continues to decline. Walter P. Reuther, AFL-CIO vice president and president of the Auto Workers, told the biennial convention of the National Farmers Union:
He illustrated his point by citing statistics showing the effect of lower farm income on his own industry.
"In five states where more than 20 percent of the cars are farm-owned," he said, "new car registrations in 1955 were 7.4 percent lower than in 1950. Total registration of new cars in the country in 1955 was 14.2 percent higher than in 1950."
In 1952-55, he continued, farm income declined 14 percent. But farm machinery production fell 17 percent, tractor shipments 33 percent and employment 19 percent.
"These figures show clearly that what declining farm income means to the industrial workers," he said, "is less industrial production and the constant threat or reality of unemployment."
Decline Endangers Economy
The stability of the country and its continued progress have been endangered by the decline. Reuther asserted, and the Republican Administration's "ineffectual approach" to the problem has alarmed organized labor.
He charged Sec. of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson with hunting scapegoats and trying to turn various groups against each other instead of attacking the heart of the problem.
He renewed his challenge that Benson join him in seeking a congressional probe of the Secretary's charge that wage costs have been larger than increases in productivity in farm equipment plants in recent years.
"But he has not seen fit to press for such an investigation," Reuther continued, "because it would expose to the public the profiteering engaged in by some of the largest contributors to Republican campaign funds."
Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show, he explained, that from 1953 to 1955, output per manhour in all manufacturing increased 10 percent, while the average hourly wage increased only 6 percent.
The Farmers Union has a membership of more than 307,000 farm families in 30 states, and has long had a close relationship with organized labor.
Hurts Workers,
Says Reuther
Workers and businessmen will be "lying on shaky stilts" so long as farm income continues to decline. Walter P. Reuther, AFL-CIO vice president and president of the Auto Workers, told the biennial convention of the National Farmers Union:
He illustrated his point by citing statistics showing the effect of lower farm income on his own industry.
"In five states where more than 20 percent of the cars are farm-owned," he said, "new car registrations in 1955 were 7.4 percent lower than in 1950. Total registration of new cars in the country in 1955 was 14.2 percent higher than in 1950."
In 1952-55, he continued, farm income declined 14 percent. But farm machinery production fell 17 percent, tractor shipments 33 percent and employment 19 percent.
"These figures show clearly that what declining farm income means to the industrial workers," he said, "is less industrial production and the constant threat or reality of unemployment."
Decline Endangers Economy
The stability of the country and its continued progress have been endangered by the decline. Reuther asserted, and the Republican Administration's "ineffectual approach" to the problem has alarmed organized labor.
He charged Sec. of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson with hunting scapegoats and trying to turn various groups against each other instead of attacking the heart of the problem.
He renewed his challenge that Benson join him in seeking a congressional probe of the Secretary's charge that wage costs have been larger than increases in productivity in farm equipment plants in recent years.
"But he has not seen fit to press for such an investigation," Reuther continued, "because it would expose to the public the profiteering engaged in by some of the largest contributors to Republican campaign funds."
Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show, he explained, that from 1953 to 1955, output per manhour in all manufacturing increased 10 percent, while the average hourly wage increased only 6 percent.
The Farmers Union has a membership of more than 307,000 farm families in 30 states, and has long had a close relationship with organized labor.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Farm Income Decline
Reuther Speech
Auto Industry Impact
Unemployment Threat
Agricultural Policy
Labor Union
What entities or persons were involved?
Walter P. Reuther
Ezra Taft Benson
Story Details
Key Persons
Walter P. Reuther
Ezra Taft Benson
Event Date
1955
Story Details
Reuther speaks at Farmers Union convention, linking farm income decline to reduced auto sales, machinery production, and unemployment; criticizes Benson for scapegoating and avoiding probe into profiteering.