Weekly Radio Report: Wheat Sales to the Soviet Union

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c031_038.mp3

c031_038_tr.txt

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Extent (Dublin Core)

5 Minutes, 36 Seconds

File Name (Dublin Core)

c031_038

Title (Dublin Core)

Weekly Radio Report: Wheat Sales to the Soviet Union

Description (Dublin Core)

In this weekly radio broadcast, Congressman Bob Dole talks about the potential sale of wheat to Russia. He talks about his position on the matter and explains legislation that allows for this sale. He then delves further into his stance on preferring to sell wheat to Free World countries over communist countries.

Date (Dublin Core)

1963-10-03

Date Created (Dublin Core)

1963-10-03

Congress (Dublin Core)

88th (1963-1965)

Topics (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valueWheat farmers

See all items with this valueUnited States--Foreign economic relations--Soviet Union

Policy Area (Curation)

Foreign Trade and International Finance

Creator (Dublin Core)

Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021

Record Type (Dublin Core)

radio programs

Rights (Dublin Core)

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Language (Dublin Core)

eng

Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core)

https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=84&q=

Physical Collection (Dublin Core)

Collection 031, Box 1

Institution (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Archival Collection (Dublin Core)

Dole Audio Reels Collection, 1960-1979

Full Text (Extract Text)

This is Congressman Bob Dole with my weekly radio report from Washington. First of all, I wish to thank this station, as in the past, for carrying my weekly program as a public service broadcast. Secondly, I thought I might discuss again today the possibilities of the pros and cons of sale of wheat to Russia — or any other communist country.

Actually, it's amazing the discussion we've had on Capitol Hill the past two weeks about the sale of Russia — of wheat to Russia or to any other communist country. There are people in favor of it, people opposed to it, and the pendulum sort of swings back and forth. Certainly, coming from the largest wheat-producing district in this country, I recognize the importance of the sale of wheat and the export of wheat to the Kansas Farmer and to the American Farmer. I also recognize the importance of very serious — serious policy questions. Of course, these matters are now being discussed. I think, on first blush, many people said, ‘sell if we can get the money,’ and this still prevails. I think many people — the majority of people — would say today if the Russians have the cash, we will sell the wheat, but I think we should consider some of the policy questions that are involved. It's a very serious decision that the President must make, and it is his decision because Secretary [of Agriculture Orville] Freeman and Secretary [of Commerce Luther] Hodges, when they were before our committee about ten days ago — also present were the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, of both parties. There were about 60 Members of Congress present. Both Secretary Freeman and Secretary Hodges, the Commerce Secretary, told us that congressional action was not necessary. There was nothing in the law now to prevent the sale of wheat to Russia, and in fact, terms can be given up to 18 months without any new legislation, and without any violation of the so-called ‘Johnson Act’ or any other legislation now pending.

And this is true even though, in 1961, the so-called ‘Latta Amendment,’ which was introduced by Congressman Delbert Latta of Ohio, and which stated that it was against congressional policy to sell anything which was subsidized to Russia because they were considered an unfriendly and a communist country. This is so-called a ‘sense amendment’ by Congress that doesn't bind the President, and can, of course, be overcome by the President by simply finding that it shouldn't apply.

Now, based on some very serious considerations, ten of us from wheat-producing districts on October 1 sent a telegram to President [John F.] Kennedy asking for clarification in these policy areas. We recognize the great interest, we know the significance of this transaction, and we also felt that we should think beyond the immediate sale if this is a one-shot transaction for 200 million bushel or 100 million bushel of wheat. There’d be a lot of water over the dam in another ten years with reference to 100 million bushel of wheat. We felt we should find out how much Russia wants, what the terms will be, will it be for credit, for cash, and what price will they pay. We should also find out whether or not it will be subsidized, because as many of you listening know, the world price is about 50 or 60 cents less than the U.S. price, so on every bushel of wheat that’s exported from our country to some other country — whether it’s Russia, England, France, or whatever country it may be — we pay an export subsidy of between 50 and 60 cents. This is paid by the [U.S. Department of the] Treasury, and the question is whether we are not indirectly subsidizing communism.

Another bigger question is if we say now that we're willing to sell to Russia, a country which has said time after time — or the leaders have said time after time — we will bury you, then why should we not sell to North Korea, Red China, North Vietnam, and even Cuba? If we're going to start dealing with a communist, let's make some policy decision now as to how far we intend to go, and we think this is only a fair question to ask the Administration because they are responsible for the foreign policy.

We also want to know how much wheat the Free World countries now want. Now we've been told in executive session by the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Agriculture that Russia’s cancelled certain commitments to not only satellite countries — other communist countries — but also to Free World countries. How much wheat would these Free World countries want? Have we contacted these Free World countries? Because I believe if there's a choice of selling wheat to the Free World country or the communist country, at least in my Opinion, the choice would be very easy. We would naturally sell to the Free World country.

We've raised some legal questions — we've asked [for] clarification with reference to certain illegal acts that I won't go into — but certainly as representatives from wheat-producing areas, we feel the questions should be answered. We should be given the facts before we are asked to make an objective decision and make a public statement; I think the wheat producers are entitled to the same information. And when they give us these facts, and these facts are made available to me and the wheat producers in my district, I'm certain we will have a proper decision. I might point out that just last week both The American Legion on a national level and the VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars] on a national level — on a strictly moral approach — said we should not sell one bushel of wheat to Russia, or any other communist country.

I would certainly appreciate your comments on this very vital matter. This is Congressman Bob Dole, thanking you for listening.

This is Congressman Bob Dole with my weekly radio report from Washington. First of all, I wish to thank this station, as in the past, for carrying my weekly program as a public service broadcast. Secondly, I thought I might discuss again today the possibilities of the pros and cons of sale of wheat to Russia — or any other communist country.

Actually, it's amazing the discussion we've had on Capitol Hill the past two weeks about the sale of Russia — of wheat to Russia or to any other communist country. There are people in favor of it, people opposed to it, and the pendulum sort of swings back and forth. Certainly, coming from the largest wheat-producing district in this country, I recognize the importance of the sale of wheat and the export of wheat to the Kansas Farmer and to the American Farmer. I also recognize the importance of very serious — serious policy questions. Of course, these matters are now being discussed. I think, on first blush, many people said, ‘sell if we can get the money,’ and this still prevails. I think many people — the majority of people — would say today if the Russians have the cash, we will sell the wheat, but I think we should consider some of the policy questions that are involved. It's a very serious decision that the President must make, and it is his decision because Secretary [of Agriculture Orville] Freeman and Secretary [of Commerce Luther] Hodges, when they were before our committee about ten days ago — also present were the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, of both parties. There were about 60 Members of Congress present. Both Secretary Freeman and Secretary Hodges, the Commerce Secretary, told us that congressional action was not necessary. There was nothing in the law now to prevent the sale of wheat to Russia, and in fact, terms can be given up to 18 months without any new legislation, and without any violation of the so-called ‘Johnson Act’ or any other legislation now pending.

And this is true even though, in 1961, the so-called ‘Latta Amendment,’ which was introduced by Congressman Delbert Latta of Ohio, and which stated that it was against congressional policy to sell anything which was subsidized to Russia because they were considered an unfriendly and a communist country. This is so-called a ‘sense amendment’ by Congress that doesn't bind the President, and can, of course, be overcome by the President by simply finding that it shouldn't apply.

Now, based on some very serious considerations, ten of us from wheat-producing districts on October 1 sent a telegram to President [John F.] Kennedy asking for clarification in these policy areas. We recognize the great interest, we know the significance of this transaction, and we also felt that we should think beyond the immediate sale if this is a one-shot transaction for 200 million bushel or 100 million bushel of wheat. There’d be a lot of water over the dam in another ten years with reference to 100 million bushel of wheat. We felt we should find out how much Russia wants, what the terms will be, will it be for credit, for cash, and what price will they pay. We should also find out whether or not it will be subsidized, because as many of you listening know, the world price is about 50 or 60 cents less than the U.S. price, so on every bushel of wheat that’s exported from our country to some other country — whether it’s Russia, England, France, or whatever country it may be — we pay an export subsidy of between 50 and 60 cents. This is paid by the [U.S. Department of the] Treasury, and the question is whether we are not indirectly subsidizing communism.

Another bigger question is if we say now that we're willing to sell to Russia, a country which has said time after time — or the leaders have said time after time — we will bury you, then why should we not sell to North Korea, Red China, North Vietnam, and even Cuba? If we're going to start dealing with a communist, let's make some policy decision now as to how far we intend to go, and we think this is only a fair question to ask the Administration because they are responsible for the foreign policy.

We also want to know how much wheat the Free World countries now want. Now we've been told in executive session by the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Agriculture that Russia’s cancelled certain commitments to not only satellite countries — other communist countries — but also to Free World countries. How much wheat would these Free World countries want? Have we contacted these Free World countries? Because I believe if there's a choice of selling wheat to the Free World country or the communist country, at least in my Opinion, the choice would be very easy. We would naturally sell to the Free World country.

We've raised some legal questions — we've asked [for] clarification with reference to certain illegal acts that I won't go into — but certainly as representatives from wheat-producing areas, we feel the questions should be answered. We should be given the facts before we are asked to make an objective decision and make a public statement; I think the wheat producers are entitled to the same information. And when they give us these facts, and these facts are made available to me and the wheat producers in my district, I'm certain we will have a proper decision. I might point out that just last week both The American Legion on a national level and the VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars] on a national level — on a strictly moral approach — said we should not sell one bushel of wheat to Russia, or any other communist country.

I would certainly appreciate your comments on this very vital matter. This is Congressman Bob Dole, thanking you for listening.

This is Congressman Bob Dole with my weekly radio report from Washington. First of all, I wish to thank this station, as in the past, for carrying my weekly program as a public service broadcast. Secondly, I thought I might discuss again today the possibilities of the pros and cons of sale of wheat to Russia — or any other communist country.

Actually, it's amazing the discussion we've had on Capitol Hill the past two weeks about the sale of Russia — of wheat to Russia or to any other communist country. There are people in favor of it, people opposed to it, and the pendulum sort of swings back and forth. Certainly, coming from the largest wheat-producing district in this country, I recognize the importance of the sale of wheat and the export of wheat to the Kansas Farmer and to the American Farmer. I also recognize the importance of very serious — serious policy questions. Of course, these matters are now being discussed. I think, on first blush, many people said, ‘sell if we can get the money,’ and this still prevails. I think many people — the majority of people — would say today if the Russians have the cash, we will sell the wheat, but I think we should consider some of the policy questions that are involved. It's a very serious decision that the President must make, and it is his decision because Secretary [of Agriculture Orville] Freeman and Secretary [of Commerce Luther] Hodges, when they were before our committee about ten days ago — also present were the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, of both parties. There were about 60 Members of Congress present. Both Secretary Freeman and Secretary Hodges, the Commerce Secretary, told us that congressional action was not necessary. There was nothing in the law now to prevent the sale of wheat to Russia, and in fact, terms can be given up to 18 months without any new legislation, and without any violation of the so-called ‘Johnson Act’ or any other legislation now pending.

And this is true even though, in 1961, the so-called ‘Latta Amendment,’ which was introduced by Congressman Delbert Latta of Ohio, and which stated that it was against congressional policy to sell anything which was subsidized to Russia because they were considered an unfriendly and a communist country. This is so-called a ‘sense amendment’ by Congress that doesn't bind the President, and can, of course, be overcome by the President by simply finding that it shouldn't apply.

Now, based on some very serious considerations, ten of us from wheat-producing districts on October 1 sent a telegram to President [John F.] Kennedy asking for clarification in these policy areas. We recognize the great interest, we know the significance of this transaction, and we also felt that we should think beyond the immediate sale if this is a one-shot transaction for 200 million bushel or 100 million bushel of wheat. There’d be a lot of water over the dam in another ten years with reference to 100 million bushel of wheat. We felt we should find out how much Russia wants, what the terms will be, will it be for credit, for cash, and what price will they pay. We should also find out whether or not it will be subsidized, because as many of you listening know, the world price is about 50 or 60 cents less than the U.S. price, so on every bushel of wheat that’s exported from our country to some other country — whether it’s Russia, England, France, or whatever country it may be — we pay an export subsidy of between 50 and 60 cents. This is paid by the [U.S. Department of the] Treasury, and the question is whether we are not indirectly subsidizing communism.

Another bigger question is if we say now that we're willing to sell to Russia, a country which has said time after time — or the leaders have said time after time — we will bury you, then why should we not sell to North Korea, Red China, North Vietnam, and even Cuba? If we're going to start dealing with a communist, let's make some policy decision now as to how far we intend to go, and we think this is only a fair question to ask the Administration because they are responsible for the foreign policy.

We also want to know how much wheat the Free World countries now want. Now we've been told in executive session by the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Agriculture that Russia’s cancelled certain commitments to not only satellite countries — other communist countries — but also to Free World countries. How much wheat would these Free World countries want? Have we contacted these Free World countries? Because I believe if there's a choice of selling wheat to the Free World country or the communist country, at least in my Opinion, the choice would be very easy. We would naturally sell to the Free World country.

We've raised some legal questions — we've asked [for] clarification with reference to certain illegal acts that I won't go into — but certainly as representatives from wheat-producing areas, we feel the questions should be answered. We should be given the facts before we are asked to make an objective decision and make a public statement; I think the wheat producers are entitled to the same information. And when they give us these facts, and these facts are made available to me and the wheat producers in my district, I'm certain we will have a proper decision. I might point out that just last week both The American Legion on a national level and the VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars] on a national level — on a strictly moral approach — said we should not sell one bushel of wheat to Russia, or any other communist country.

I would certainly appreciate your comments on this very vital matter. This is Congressman Bob Dole, thanking you for listening.