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Show March 1971 UTAH FARM BUREAU Page 3 Ford Foundation Awards $225,000 For Chavez Use On December 13, 1970, the Ford Foundation awarded $225,000 to be used by Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee to finance seven farm worker service centers. Jerry L. Cappello, president of the Kern County, California Farm Burwhose farm families have been eau among the first to experience the market destruction of Chavez - imposed calls the Ford product boycotts in to the farmface the grant, "a slap ers, ranchers, farm workers, and consumers of this country." Spokesmen for the Ford Foundation emphasize that the grant is earmarked strictly for use in social and welfare work in the centers, and not for organizational purposes. Since the Chavez grant, we have received a number of inquiries about the Ford Foundation. Most of them fall into four main categories; What is the Who Ford Foundation? runs it? Where does it get its money? And, what is its relationship to the Ford Motor Company? , What is the Ford .Foundation? The Ford Foundation, 320 East 43rd St., New York, N.Y. 10017,. defines itself as institua private, non-prof- it tion dedicated to the public wellbeing. It seeks to identify and contribute to the solution of problems of national and international importance. It works principally by granting funds to institutions, talented individuals, and communities for exand deperimental, demonstration, within efforts its field velopmental of interest. Its Executive Staff consists of Bundy, special assistant to Mc-Geor- ge Mercury In Fish USU Report Much recent publicity about the presence of mercury In fish has caused consumers to wonder if this source of food is lost. However, extensive testing assures us that a large variety of wholesome fish and seafood products, so essential to the overall diet and so pleasing to millions of consumers, will remain available on the market, notes Mrs. Flora Bardwell, Utah State University extension nutrition specialist. The current publicity centered first on tuna and then on swordfish. She said that much information and misinformation has been released and has resulted in confusion. She cites some facts from the National Fisheries Institute, Inc., to clarify the situation. Officials of the Food and Drug Administration have assured the public that there is no immediate health hazard Involved in eating either of these products. The detainment of fish with a mercury content above established FDA guideline levels is a precaution- ary measure. The processing industry is cooperating fully with to Insure that only swordfish below the prescribed level is brought to the market. As for other species of fish, tests made on shrimp, cod, lobster, salmon, halibut and scallops reveal no problems whatsoever. The testing is being done by Industry, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Canadian government. FDA President Kennedy and Johnson, president; David E. Bell, director of the U.S. Bureau of the Budget and later director of the program under Presidents Kennedy and JohnOther son, executive include Mitchell Sviridoff, former director of the Human Resources Administration for New York Mayor Lindsay. Head of the Foundations Office of Public Broadcasting, and television advisor to the Foundation president is Fred W. Friendly, producer of CBSs documentary, Harvest of Shame some ten years ago. Where does it get its money? The Fad Foundation was expanded into a national organization in 1950 out of the bequest of three million shares of Ford Motor Company stock worth $417 million from the estates of Henry and Edsel Ford. In the mid-50- s when pany insist they are independent of each other. But this is not so easily done. Certainly there is no operational relationship, but a nucleus of Ford Foundation still financing comes out of dividends from Ford Motor Company stock, and diversifications into other security lines have Ford The role of the Ford family in the creation of the Ford Foundation is essential to the question. Certainly the Ford family endowed the Foundation out of the highest sense of public service; but from an economic standpoint the endowment was of primary benefit to the Ford family RATHER THAN the Ford Motor Company: A-I-- D vice-preside- vice-presiden- nt. ts corbecame a publicly-owne- d the value of stock the apporation, preciated sharply. Today the Ford Foundation is capitalized at close to billion. In recent years it has disposed of a substantial amount of its Ford stock and diversified its investment portfolio, but its base of financing still reflects holdings of Ford Motor ComA Class stock. pany nonvoting 22 23,695,705 shares, representing percent of the total capital stock of the Ford Motor Company were held by the Foundation as of September, 1970. Of $140.8 million reported as income in 1970, $60.6 million consisted of dividends from Ford Motor Company Stock. $3 What is its relationship to the Ford Motor Company? Both the Ford Foundation and the Ford Motor Com ECildMiuiss Major Issues of special concern to termers in the 92nd Congress, involve farm labor relations, farm bargaining, international trade, and protecting farmers opportunity to use necessary agricultural chemicals, according to William J. Kuhfuss, president of the Farm Bureau Federation, Forum sponsored by the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Com- merce. All of these issues the term leader said, are related to Farm Bureaus goal higher net family term income in the marketplace. New marketing legislation is urgently needed, Kuhfuss said, to provide the necessary legal framework within which termers can build their own effective marketing and bargaining programs and enhance the function of the market system. Farm Bureau, he said, will support legislation amending the Agricultural Fair Practices Act to redefine an association of pro- covered is new or whether it has always been there. Considerable evidence indicates that is has been there for many years without causing ill effects to man. For ex- ample, nations like Norway, Iceland and Denmark have always eaten many times the per capita amount of fish that we do, yet no one is aware of them having a problem from it. "The whole posture of our government is 'It might be a pro -blem so lets check it out. Institute "Bear in mind that fishhery "National Fisheries the products are an Important part of promise is that it will keep public advised of developments our nations diet. Both the inbearing on this and other envir- dustry and the consumer can be onmental problems. Mercury apbadly hurt by sensational inaccurate reporting and consumer can be no food is proin simple pearing blem and it does not lend Itself badly hurt by sensational inacto simple, positive statements. curate reporting and confusActually mercury occurs in our ing stories. We will be hearing environment naturally. Thus, we more about FDAs testing and Mrs. Bardwell dont know whether presence their findings, of mercury in the quantities dis- - said. pany and a strong voice within the top council of the Ford Foundation. Since its beginning as a Michigan but mostly philanthropy in 1936 since its expansion as a national the Foundaorganization in 1950 tion has made commitments totaling $3.59 billion, including grants to 6,034 institutions and organizations. Who runs it? The Ford Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, and operated by an administrative staff of more than 200 persons. Its Board of Trustees consists of Julius A. Stratton, chairman; Bundy, president and chief executive officer; Henry Ford II, chairman of the board, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan, Benson Ford, vice president, Ford Motor Dearborn, Company, Michigan; been financed from original Ford holdings. For example, in 1956 the Ford Foundation held 88 percent of all' Ford capital stock; and this aggregate has' been the base fund financing. Further, Henry Ford II and Benson Ford (along with former Ford president, ' Robert S. McNamara) continue to serve on the Ford Foundations Board of Trustees suggesting that Ford feels that indentification with the Ford Foundation brings it more advantages than disadvantages. Mc-Geor- ge , James Ellis, attorney, Seattle, ington; Kermit Gordon, president, Institution, Brookings Washington, D. C.; Alexander Heard, chancellor, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Vivian W. Henderson, Clark College, Atlanta, president, Georgia; Edwin H. Land, chairman, Polariod Corporation, Cambridge, H. John Massachusetts; Loudon, chairman of the board. Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, the Hague, The Netherlands; Robert S. McNamara, International Bank for president, Reconstruction and Development, D. Irwin C.; J. Miller, Washington, Cummins Engine Comchairman, Indiana; Walter pany, Columbus, Levi Haas, president, Strauss, San Francisco, California; and Charles E. Wyzansld, Jr., chief judge, U.S. District Court, Boston, Disposition of the stock of Henry it and Edsel Ford to a foundation carried with it tax advantages to the estate. non-prof- Distribution of as much as 88 percent of all Ford stock to a nonprofit gave mily pany. both Wash- g foundation as a measure of protection to faretention of control of the comAnd the Ford family retains management control of the com non-votin- lisfls vkoyir Form Issues ducers and require handlers to ne- gotiate with qualified bargaining associations. "Passage of this legislation is essential to our continued progress in establishing more effective marketing programs. "Our marketing programs are founded on the belief that the market power of termers can best be strenghtened by use of the market system. We believe that termers must develop the capacity to manage their own production and Improve the marketing of their products through voluntary marketing associations if they are to earn and obtain the highest possible net income," Kuhfuss said. There is a similar need, he said, for the enactment of legislation Turning to trade legislation, work together and should when mutual effort is possible," Kuh- Kuhfuss said that legislated import quotas are unacceptable solutions to Import problems as they would invite retaliation from our foreign customers. "You cant put a fence around America," he said. "Our major term market is here in the U.S., but we cannot afford to jeopardOne-fif- th ize our export market. of all cropland harvested in the U.S. is used to produce for export." Kuhfuss has been actively fuss said. "However, I think part of the strength of America and American agriculture lies in the opportunity for individuals to differ in their opinions and for them to be allowed to express their differences. "Similarly, I believe organized agriculture is stronger, not weaker, because we have organizations subscribing to different basic philWe are proud that osophies. are voluntary families 1,943,181 members of Farm Bureau. Four out of five U.S. farmers who belong to a term organization belong to Farm Bureau. We invite in- terested in the promotion of international trade for American term products. While president of the Farm Bureau in Illinois he led three Farm Bureau sponsored agricultural trade missions, the balance one to Europe, one to Mediterranean countries, and the other round the world. On the regulation and use of relagoverning farmer-work- er tions. "We cannon Ignore or deny the agricultural chemicals, another rights of labor to organize and bararea of major concern to termers, employer-emplIn our gain collectively. Kuhfuss said that Farm Bureau anwe oyee can economy, efpolicy opposes a complete ban on ticipate further organizational forts among agricultural labor. the use of any agricultural chemical and recommends that contin"However, boycotts of agriculued use be determined on a tural products by labor unions se and comforeclose markets for entire Bureau Farm basis. believes that modities whether or not individuse the of continued these products, ual producers may be Involved in a labor dispute or hire any labor he said, should be based on research and scientific data. at all and whether or not workers Farm Bureau policy recognizes want to join a union. that there may be problems in the "It should be obvious to all that use of agricultural chemicals as there is need for state and national legislation providing fair and they relate to our environment. equitable rules to guide farmer-work- er However, Farm Bureau strongly The Na -- urges that proper recognition and relationships. consideration be given to human tional Labor Relations act is intended to provide guidelines for nutrition and to the importance of providing adequate quantities industry-labrelations. of high quality food and fiber." Another area discussed by Farmers and ranchers need national legislation designed to fit the the Federation president is the unique conditions of agriculture. suggestions that termers might be more effective in influencing dictates Congress if farm organization "The public interest joined in united efforts. that consumers need this legis"The question is often asked, lation to protect their right to food in desired the 'Why dont you termers get tobuy products Farm organizations do Kuhfuss market place, said. gether? join the ma- jority group. "There are some places in the world where people are not privileged to express a differing viewpoint. Here the opportunity for progress and the opportunity for In these change are limited. the are not borders countries, with crowded people trying to get in but the borders are often policed to keep those within from use-by-u- or to leaving." "Agriculture is basic to our total economy. . The significance today is just as important as it ever has been. Today there are fewer people in commercial agriculture than in the past, but the impact of agriculture on our national life has of agriculture not diminished." Noting that the parity ratio now stands at 68, Kuhfuss said, "68 percent parity for agriculture is not good enough. We have settled to this level under the supply manage ment philosophy of term programs. It is time we came to our senses and recognized the direction given by users of commodities Instead of the direction given by politicians." |