MESSRS. L. J. DICKINSON (CHAIRMAN) ROBERT G. SIMMONS, JOHN W. SUMMERS, JAMES P. 521 2165 2d set COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEVENTY-FIRST CONGRESS WILLIAM R. WOOD, Indiana, Chairman LOUIS C. CRAMTON, Michigan. MILTON W. SHREVE, Pennsylvania. L. J. DICKINSON, Iowa. FRANK MURPHY, Ohio. JOHN W. SUMMERS, Washington. MAURICE H. THATCHER, Kentucky. JOSEPH W. BYRNS, Tennessee. WER 1/7/01 AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATION BILL, 1932 HEARINGS CONDUCTED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE, MESSRS. L. J. DICKINSON (CHAIRMAN), ROBERT, G. SIMMONS, JOHN W. SUMMERS, JAMES P. BUCHANAN, AND JOHN N. SANDLIN, OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, IN CHARGE OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATION BILL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1932 ON THE DAYS FOLLOWING, NAMELY: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1930. STATEMENTS OF HON. R. W. DUNLAP, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, AND W. A. JUMP, BUDGET OFFICER Mr. DICKINSON. Mr. Secretary, we have before us this morning the estimates for the Department of Agriculture for the year 1932. We will be glad to have the general statement from you at this time. Mr. DUNLAP. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, the Budget proposes total appropriations of $225,587,476 for the Department of Agriculture for 1932. This is a net increase of $51,192,001 over appropriations thus far made for the current year, as follows: Road funds: There is a net increase of $48,188,371 in road appropriations, made up of $125,000,000 or an increase of $50,000,000 for Federal aid and $12,500,000, or an increase of $1,500,000 for forest roads and trails. These increases are pursuant to the increased legislative authorizations enacted at the last session of Congress. The increase of $51,500,000 is offset by reductions due to dropping nonrecurring items for the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway and certain flood relief road items, which bring about the net increase of $48,188,371 on road items. General work: There is a net increase of $3,003,630 in items for the general work of the department. However, due to nonrecurring items totaling $517,580 and to the omission for the present of an estimate for the Mediterranean fruit fly work for which $1,740,000 is carried in the 1931 act, the gross total of all increases for the general work of the department for 1932 is $5,261,210. The following statement covers the situation, dealing with the general totals involved: Budget estimates, 1932, compared with appropriations, 1931 cet increase of $3,003,630 for general activities, taking Mediterranean fruit-fly appropriation into account. 1 ITEMS ENTERING INTO INCREASE IN ESTIMATE The gross total increase of $5,261,210 (net increase, $3,003,630) for the general work of the department includes $2,641,247 for carrying out items especially authorized by statute, as follows: For further strengthening and expansion of weather service on com- $395, 000 700, 000 200, 000 150, 000 242, 880 For enforcement of perishable commodities act... For items under McNary-McSweeney Forest Research Act. To cover, during 1932, salary adjustments of July 3, 1930, under For carrying out Hawaii station act For forestry items under Clarke-McNary Act.. For carrying out provisions of forest planting act Total.. OTHER LARGE ITEMS OF INCREASE BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS INDEMNITIES 2,000 79, 000 25, 000 2, 641, 247 Bovine tuberculosis indemnities for farmers, principally California, $250,000. The reason we ask for an increase in the bovine tuberculosis indemnity item is that we have assurances that California will come in this year for her share of the tuberculosis indemnity money. That State, I understand, has passed the act to get this money or to share in it, but the appropriation has not yet been made; we have assurances it will be made. Mr. DICKINSON. Heretofore has the State of California not cooperated with the tuberculin test at all? Mr. DUNLAP. No. Mr. BUCHANAN. They have not a large percentage of tuberculin animals, have they? Mr. DUNLAP. Yes, sir. Mr. BUCHANAN. They are on the coast in that warm climate, and I should think they would not be bothered with that. Mr. DUNLAP. They are, because they have so many large dairies. there, and the cattle are confined. In many sections there is not much pasture, and they are kept in the stable practically all the time. and fed on commercial feeds. Mr. SUMMERS. Have not the State and Federal Governments cooperated in indemnities for slaughter of tubercular animals in California? Mr. DUNLAP. No; California has not been able up to this time to participate. Mr. SUMMERS. Under the Constitution? Mr. DUNLAP. Yes; they were not permitted to pay. They may have made some arrangement. I do not know whether they have changed their constitution or what arrangement they have made, but it has been brought about so that now they can come in for their share. Mr. BUCHANAN. It is peculiar they could not cooperate in the matter of tuberculin test and yet could cooperate for the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease. Mr. DUNLAP. That is true. ENFORCEMENT OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACT The next item of increase is for the enforcement of food and drugs act, $200,000. This rather large increase I think is quite necessary. You will remember we had quite a long hearing over in the Senate on enforcement of the food and drugs act last spring, and the department, especially the food and drugs division, have been severely criticized for not increasing the force under the food and drugs act to a greater extent that it has; we insisted before the Budget that we did not have ample funds, and that a considerable increase be allowed for this purpose. We hope that the committee will see fit to retain in the bill this amount that has been asked for. Mr. DICKINSON. Where is the urgent demand for further enforcement of the food and drugs act? Mr. DUNLAP. All down the line, Mr. Dickinson. We do not have sufficient inspectors to gather samples, for example. As you know, they have to go out and find samples and get the evidence; there is a large amount of violation, particularly along the drug lines. There is a lot of fake stuff on the market to-day they are not able to touch, and yet they are severely criticized by food and drug cranks and others. Mr. BUCHANAN. You will never be able to please that class, will you? Mr. DUNLAP. That is true but we know because of the lack of funds we are not enforcing the law as well as it should be. Mr. BUCHANAN. We know the people are buying patent medicines because there is a sign on the outside of the package that it will cure something; that is just one of the habits of the public. Mr. DUNLAP. It is not only patent medicines, but many other things. Mr. JUMP. There are, for example, many so-called "foods" put on the market with all kinds of claims as to their beneficial properties, which may or may not be justified. Mr. DUNLAP. I think when Mr. Campbell comes up he can give you quite a lot of detailed information on that. Mr. DICKINSON. All right. IMPROVEMENTS ON NATIONAL FORESTS Mr. DUNLAP. The next item of increase is $280,000 for additional protection improvements on the national forests. Mr. DICKINSON. What is that for? Mr. DUNLAP. Well, that is for general protection improvements on the national forests. Mr. DICKINSON. I understand the road and trails item has been increased. Mr. JUMP. That was increased from an authorization of $7,500,000 to $12,500,000, an increase of $5,000,000, but all for forest highways. There was no increase for protection of roads and trails except on the agricultural appropriation act. So this continues the same policy |