Sees Farm Program i in Good Hands’ Congressman Watkins M. Ab bitt moved up a n cJi in the i House Agriculture Committee and { gave his endorsement to Ezra ' Taft Benson, as {Secretary of i Agriculture, this week as the 83rd Congress organized for the tasks , ahead. The Appomat tox Congressman . becomes the eighth ranking Democrat on the Agriculture Committee composed this session of 111 Republicans and M Demo i rats. Sees Little ( hangc Viewing Benson's appointment ns "a wise selection patting agri cultural interests of this country m good hands ', Abbitt expressed the belief that the new secretary will continue “that part of the program that has been beneficial and helpful to the country as a whole." Abbitt was named to the Agri culture Committee in 1S49 shortly after lie succeeded the late Pat rick Henry Drewry. of Petersburg, as the Fourth District Represen tative. He has served on it since, moving steadily upward in rank, and working closely with Chair man Clifford R. Hope, of Kansas. Watches Farm Progress Since the Founh District is predominantly agricultural. Con gressman Abbitt has concerned himself with problems of the i aimer, and much of his effort during the first three terms has been devoted to that end. parti cularly in the fields of tobacco, peanuts, cotton and dairy and beef cattle. In a statement from Washing ton this week. Congressman Ab bitt said he does not anticipate ;.n> change in Iris activities on behalf of the farm industry under the new administration. In a concluding statement. Congressman Abbitt stressed the importance of cooperation among tanning interests for the fullest promotion of the farm program.

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