Trainman News

Lauds Farmer, Labor Fight On Monopoly

WASHINGTON- Teaming up of farmers, labor and small businessmen to halt some major efforts of monopoly interests on Capitol Hill is described in a recent issue of FARMER'S UNION HERALD.

Gains credited to joint efforts are: retention of strong anti-monopoly provisions in the Mobilization Act; presidential veto of the basing point bill, passage of legislation curbing mergers, appointment of James Mead to chairmanship of Federal Trade Commission, and appointment of John Carson to FTC.

The conference, consisting of 17 organizations with a membership of 100 million, was brought together originally by Rep. Wright Patman in 1949.

Now the conference is concentrating on getting more appropriations for FTC so it can enforce bans on illegal interlocking of many big corporate interests, says the HERALD.

Social security coverage for all workers not covered now, plus pension and insurance plans for special groups to supplement social security benefits.

Federal scholarships for medical students and federal funds for medical schools.

Seven new electric power projects including the long-projected Seaway in the St. Lawrence River.

A 25 per cent increase in the staff of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to "enable it to act in any dispute affecting defense production."

A paid-up $10,000 life insurance policy for GI's and a new GI Bill of Rights to take care of veterans of Korea.

An increase in parcel post and other postal rates.

New authority for government to build defense plants private industry can't afford.

It's a big budget, but the President said it was "one measure of the vast new responsibilities thrust upon the American people by the Communist assaults upon freedom in Asia and the threats to freedom in other parts of the world."