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Show Brannan Says U.S. to Dump ‘Mammot Potato. to Surplus WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 (UP)— Secy. of Agriculture Charles F. The Fahy ticipated /* _ Brannan’s eecouncil an- statement | Brannan warned Tuesday that the with a letter to ‘Thomas opposing \goverr’seut dump.ag shortly millions will begin the dumping’ program. It said it bushels of would cost only $10,000,000 to $12,- of surplus potatoes to rot unless :con- 000,000 more to move the surpluses gress issues other orders. | into commercial channels. | Sen. Elmer Thomas (D., Okla.), chairman of the senate agriculture committee to which Brannan delivered his ultimatum, immediate- ly called a. meeting to. study the problem, said the dumping save the taxpayers Hit as Wednesday Brannan program The: council. added that the public has “very. vivid memories” of the winter of: 1946- 47, when thousands. Of. bushels of potatoes were allowed to rot in the fields or were doused. with kerosene or dyed Lto prevent them from coming back will into trade ms 000, 000, Ruse ® ‘Reaction ‘was immediate, Sen. Clinton YP; Anderson (D;; N. M.) said congress must act to cut potato production. But GOP Sen. Owen W. Brewster, whose native Maine yields a bumper crop, said | Brannan is trying to make potatoes the “goat” of the farm price support program. Brannan, did not say specifically how many potatoes the govern- iment might dump. But he gave a |hint when he said it had been able to dispose of only 60,000 bu. of the estimated 20,000,000 already purchased this year to bolster prices. - Disposal He added that Puzzle the | government may have to buy as many as 50,000,000 bu.. more. Agriculture department officials see little hope of disposing of any substantial ; |Share even under its “oive-away” program. Brannan, who requested itis committee’s decision “at least by the week end,” said distillers, industrial alcohol plants and livestock feed manufacturers hesi- tate to take the free potatoes cause they must pay tion costs. © Therefore, he. said, have decided “dump” given it potatoes ane would be- transportahis experts be: best which can’t to | be ioc. He | said pro- channels, |
