Show Senator Raps Meat Imports Sen Wallace F Bennett Utah R-Utah Friday told the US Tariff Commission that many of Utah's cattle producers in affected counties are actually and literally faced with econ econ- economic economic extinction if cattle prices continue depressed The Utahn went before the commission to testify on the problem of red meat imports into the United States HE TOLD the commission commission- commissioners ers The problem of the red meat imports is a vital one oneto oneto to the nation as a whole but it is important n fp Utah where cattle production is the greatest single source of agricultural income He said In one of Utah's counties as much as 6 60 per percent percent cent of the entire economic activity is based on cattle production The Utah Republican who has sponsored legislation which would curtail foreign beef imports said I cannot stress too heavily that this is isn n not t a mattero matter of low lower r profits of smaller dividends or of lesser return on investment Utah's cattlemen tell me that this is a matter of survival for tor many of them THE SENATOR referred to President Johnsons Johnson's called so-called War on Poverty in his state state- statement ment and called on the com com- commission mission to fire an Important salvo in that war by taking action to restrict imports He praised Utah's cattlemen as knowledgeable well train ed experienced businessmen who deserve to be given every chance to survive I do not suggest that imports are the sole cause of cattlemen's troubles he said There has been overproduction in the domestic indus indus- industry try which has resulted in price depression But to say that the imports are not the whole problem is not to say that imports are not part of the problem and they are a apart i part that can be dealt with Therefore to fail to take ac ac- ac action tion Simply because such ac action tion will not be a cure all would be shortsighted he said FROM THE response we have had in our efforts it seems safe to say that there will be eventually enough public support for legislative action unless relief is provid provid- provided ed in some other way he said |