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Show HELPING THE TAXPAYER The American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation's largest general farm organization, has asked for action to end the government's wheat and feed grain subsidy programs completely. This would reduce federal spending spend-ing and help avoid a tax increase. Charles B. Schuman, president of the Federation, recently said, "We are told that the nation and a hungry world need increased production of wheat and feed grains. But in spite of its expressed desire to increase production, produc-tion, the government is continuing to pay farmers to restrict re-strict their plantings." "Therefore," he continued, "a logical question is whether it would not be patriotic and humane for farmers farm-ers to disregard the Administration's sign-up campaign and refuse to participate in the feed grain program for 1967. By reducing subsidy payments for acreage cuts, this would free needed funds to help balance the budget and avoid a tax increase." It should be recognized that a free market in agriculture, agri-culture, as elsewhere, is the most productive market. The direct cost to the taxpayers for the control and subsidy sub-sidy programs is in excess of $3 billion annually. If Mr. S,chuman's advice were taken, farmers, consumers and taxpayers would all benefit. |