AGRICULTURAL RELIEF
253
I have no criticism to offer of the marketing systems that we
have had in the past. They probably have been the best that could
have been devised under the circumstances. But we find ourselves
a good deal in the same position that Mr. Ford found himself with
his automobile. Those of you who followed that advertising that
came out when his new model car came out remember he stated
that the old Model T car was a good car; it had done everytning
that an automobile could do in the circumstances under which
it was created and the demands that it had to meet; but that the
time had finally arrived when it was necessary to put out a new
model—a model that would meet the demands of the times in which
we are living.
So we believe that the time has arrived when we should create a
marketing machinery that will meet the demands and the needs of
the American farmer at the present time. We believe that this is a
problem that surely concerns the entire Nation, because next to
sound morals, nothing could be of greater importance than clean,
wholesome, and nutritious food and plenty of it. And it seems to me
that from the standpoint of public policy that it is right and just
and proper that we see to it that those who are engaged in the pro-
duction of food products of the Nation should have an equal chance
under the laws of the land to achieve success according to their
ability to achieve it. [Applause.]
I wish to state that so far as our legislature is concerned—and I
think our farm organizations in our State have studied the different
plans that have been proposed, and no doubt there are good features
about probably all of them. But so far as the conclusions we have
arrived at, we believe that the principles that are laid down in the
MecNary-Haugen bill, or the surplus control bill, whatever the
official title is given to it, it carries out the objects and comes closer
to providing the marketing machinery than any other piece of
legislation that we have considered; and we want to go on record as
favoring the legislation now under consideration, with the equali-
zation fee in it.
Unless there are questions, I do not know that IT need take the
time further of the committee.
The apparent need of this legislation is just as necessary at this
time as it has been at any time in the past. We believe that the
time has arrived when we should establish a definite agricultural
policy for the future and we are in sympathy with and stand for
the principles as outlined in this bill.
Mr. MExGEs. May I ask what your official position is?
Mr. HoLMBERG. I am commissioner of agriculture for the State
of Minnesota; also commissioner of dairy and food. T have twins
on my hands out in our State. I am also a farmer by occupation.
And this is the message I wish to bring to you from the Equality
Commission of our State.
The Cnairmax. Thank you very much. The committee will
now stand in recess until 10 o’clock to-morrow morning.
(Thereupon, at 12.10 o’clock Pp. m. the committee adjourned to
meet to-morrow, Thursday, February 2, 1928, at 10 o’clock a. m.)