Across the Great Plains last week the wheat rippled golden and willowy. Everywhere, wheat farmers seemed inclined to grumble about the weather, the farm program, or both. At week's end in 36 states the) trooped into courthouses, schoolrooms and church halls to vote on the system of federal wheat quotas—a crucial issue for farmers and the nation.
High price supports in recent years led to bumper crops and, eventually, an enormous surplus: 1 billion bushels of wheat, a whole year's supply (which cost the Government $2.5 billion, plus $150 million a year for storage fees). Agriculture Secretary...