The Lincoln Times

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1956

"COURAGEOUS. SOUND APPROACH"

There has been so much criticism of Secretary of Agriculture Benson that an inadequately-informed person could readily believe that he and his policies suffer the virtual unanimous opposition of the farmer.

This is not the case. Large, important and far-sighted farm groups respect and support the Secretary and his objectives. For example, the American National Cattlemen's Association, at its recent annual convention in New Orleans, passed a formal resolution commending the Secretary for his "courageous and sound approach" in trying to maintain a free agricultural economy.

The wording is significant. A so-called "solution" to the farm problem which reduces agriculture to bureaucratic domination is far worse than no solution at all. It is to the credit of the cattlemen and other livestock producers that they have long understood this and have been leaders in opposing proposals which would take away their freedom and independence in return for federal handouts. And they have held that position during periods when meat prices have been seriously depressed.

Regardless of who heads the Department of Agriculture in the future, regardless of what changes for good or ill take place in the agricultural economy, the maintenance of the farmer's freedom within our free enterprise system should be the basic goal of all.