The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-17
HIGH FOOD COST
LAID To FARMERS
Country Growing Too Fast,
Says Secretary Wilson.
CROPS BEHIND DEMAND
Increase Yield Per Acre Is Way
to Solve Problem.
CROPS BEHIND DEMAND
Head OF Agricultural Department, fn
Address Before Convention OF
American Colleges, Declares Amaz-
ing Increase Of Population Has NOT
Been Met with Corresponding In
crease of Farm Products.

Defending the logic OF the Thigh cost OF
living" and saying that the cause, as
well as the remedy, laid with the Amer1-
can farmer, Secretary or Agriculture VIII
son delivered q brief but pithy address
at the opening Of the tWenty-fourth an
nual convention OF the Association OF
American Agricultural Colleges and Ex-
pertinent Stations at the Shoreham Hotel
last night.
He declared that the rapid and amazing
increase OF population IN the United States
has not been met with a corresponding
increase OF farm products; that the
Western agragrian has not yet developed
the possibilities OF his soil TO the fullest
extent. and has paid little attention TO
the scientific aspects OF his work.
THE high cost of foodstufrs is not ab-
normal said the Secretary 1T is really
a modern readjustment OF the old supply
to an increased population and an in
creased demand. We look for no radical
change until there are more farmers
and until the farmers learn TO get an In
creased yield Of crops pss~acre.
Better for Country.
Happily, this convention and all II rep
resents is a potent factor In bringing
about sthe better conditions we are seek
ing. The more scientific farmers We
have the better for the country. We not
only want more farmers, but We want
more scientific farmers, so that our crops
will have the same yield TO the acre as
in Europe. That is the surest way TO
start the cost OF living on the downward
path"
Secretary Wilson also dwelt upon some
Of the present enterprises Of the Depart
ment Of Agriculture. including the ex-
pertinent stations in the South. His ad-
dress was punctuated with applause at
frequent intervals. He commended the
/ back TO the farm movement and all
I tilsspresent efforts 10 unfit fhe standerd
OF farm life.
Following the Secretary, President ".
! ]. Kerr, of Corvallis, Greg. head OF the
Oregon Agricultural College. delivered his
annual address. II was largely devoted
20 the refutation Of the sensational
charges made last spring against the
agricultural colleges OF the United States
/ by DR.. Henry E Pritchett. head OF the
Carnegie Foundation for the Advance
ment OF Teaching
Many Obstacles Met.
THE obstacles encountered by the land
grant, or agricultural and mechanical
colleges. have been many" said Dr.
Kerr. I'VE have been engaged in de-
veioping the science Of agriculture in the
| presence OF strong opposition. The ad-
vance in prestige and influence Of these
| coneges may well be judged by the in
! L. ~ - -
| teachers In a comparatively short period.
There have been great difficulties. .polit-
| ical and otherwise. In several States.
1T has remained for new agency OF
criticism. however. 10 make the severest
| fight against US. I refer TO the Carnegie
| Foundation, which has found fault with
our work, largely because OF a misap-
prehension of our motives and func-
tons"
In reply, DR.. Kerr cited the fact that
In the land grant colleges there has been
an increase ia the number OF students
pursuing agriculture TO the extent OF lSa
per cent.
DR.. Kerr's address concluded the meet
| ing. the appointment OF committees going
over until to-day. The convention opens
at 8 o'clock this morning. and the pro
gramme is as follows;
Programme for To-day.
ga m-Report Of COMMITTEES on semicentennial
Celebration; address, The new work Of the federal
education Office In the field Of higher education, "
Hon Elmer E. Brown. United States Commissions
OF Education. Washington. d. C.; address. "Ths
condition and progress Of agricultural education IN
the South" President J. c. HARDY Of MississipTi-
n m--ScctiOn meetings. station and extension
| divisions.
D. m.-Reports Of committee; address by
representative Of the War Department; round table
discussion Of Senate bill ss9a combination OF the
Davis bin and the agricultural extension bill; lead
/ ers President W. L. Stone and President A. II.
soule: miscellaneous businesS; election q o1csrL