The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-09-16
President Taft Spends the Day
in Syracuse, NY.
His First Engagement in His
Tour Of the Country.
GUEST AT BREAKFAST
Given in His Honor by the
Chamber of Commerce.
Speaks at the State Fair in the
Afternoon.

Syracuse, Sept. 16.-President Taft
arrived in Syracuse early today to re-
main until $40 O'Clock this afternoon,
visit to the state fair here being the
first engagement of his 1900 mile
trip to the west. The president was
greeted by several hundred people at
the station and there was frequent ap-
plause from the sidewalk throngs as
he was escorted in an automobile to
breakfast rendered by the Syracuse
chamber of commerce.
There were some 200 guests at the
breakfast and at its conclusion the
president made speech acknowIedg-
ing the hospitality of Syracuse. His
principal address of the day was re-
served for the fair grounds whittier he
was escorted by state troops later in
the forenoon. Luncheon with the state
fair commission at the club house on
the grounds was the last liked event
on the program for the day
Governor Dix was detained at the
Spring Lake conference of governors
and sent the president a telegram eX-
pressing regret at not beng able 10
welcome hi INTO New York state.
The presidents swing around the
circle started from Boston last night
in a downpour but today there was
brilliant autumn sun 1t IS belleVed
the president is planning to withhold
speeches that have to do with the
lore important policies of the admin
border. Today he planned to confine
himself largely to discussion OF
farming methods and the necessity of
conservation of the soil.
From Syracuse the president goes to
Erie, Pa, where tonight he will talk
of the peace treaties negotiated during
the summer and now held up in the
senate.
The Presidents Speech.
A discussion of the activities of the
7 ~. nf
opportunities for progress open to
farmers formed the subject of the ad-
dress delivered by President Taft at the
state fair grounds today. The presi-
dent said in part:
I'VE are spending $4,000. 900 a year in
the maintenance of department of
agriculture and we might as well face
the truth and realize that this expense,
instead of decreasing, is bound to in
crease. I have given much attention to
the matter of economy and efficiency
in governme While do not mean
to say that the present department OF
agriculture in the work which it is do
ing might not be made to do the same
work for less money by a. closer knit
organization and greater care in ex-
penditures, I am confident from look
ing into the future of the department
to the present need for expansion of its
work. that an increase in the appro-
priations each year for that depart
ment may be and ought to be expected |
in the interest of the government.
The amount of information which |
the farmers have received and acted |
upon in their farming business from /
the bureau of plant industry, from the |
bureau of soil and from the bureau of |
animal industry, in the department of I
agriculture, can hardly be overstated, |
and the dependence of the welfare of |
the country on the continued spread of /
this information for the improvement
of agriculture ought to be emphasized
whenever opportunity arises.
Population Outgrows Farming.
I'VE have today in this country, in
continental United States, about 1 ,900,-
100000 acres of land. Of this $4,000 900
are included in the acreage of farms
In the last 10 years that acreage did J.
not increase more than 100000, or a
little over 4 per cent In that same
time our population increased 20 per
cent. OF the S73 000, 900 acres, Az, 900 900
are improved farm lands The S73. .OOO- l.
Geo includes wood land and unimproved
land The improved land in farms has
increased about So, 100000 in 10 years, or
some Is per cent, but this, it viii be
seen, is not equal to the increase in
population Now, if our population in
creases as rapidly as it has heretofore,
we shall, in SO years, have upwards of
200 900 people in this country to sup I
port on this SIS. 100000 acres, much of
which is probably not capable of pro- ]
1O.OO0,0oO acres of swamp land that can {
be drained and there are 25.OOO. 900 acres
Of land that can be irrigated; but with
all these, it is perfectly palpable that {
within the life of many who are born !
now we shall be pressing the limit of '
our self support from the soil unless t
some other method than by the mere {
extension of area, be found for the in {
'reasing of our crop production ]
In the next 100 years if this is IL | \
'6 FRY Ysstl
dopt new methods of farming and {
ursue them with eagerness and in {
elligent enterprise.
There has been, as we know, a
1ovement from the farm to the city.
low can these present evils that
hreaten the progress of our agric1II-
ure be remedied2 How can the
1ovement from the farm to the CITY
g Stopped2 How can proper labor be
ecured upon the farm ? Is there no
emedy, or must we change our ma
1re as a people and all become 3
manufacturing nation and look for our
lture supplies to some other source
I distant countries which themselves
re looking forward to a limit upon
heir production? Q
He Is an Optimist.
1 am an optimist and believe that
tuauons, however threatening or
discoura ging. have in .
lemselves elements that justify hone
petterlnent. The increased price of a
y m products has increased the value
the farm and has made more GER a
am the profit of farming That nee
ssdrlly works upon the cupidity of q
lOse Who in the past have gone into
= - ei1y because 1t offers prospect
better income and a more COM
'rIaple living Today with improved
'aus' with suburban railways with
10 telephone, with rural free de- a
very and hope soon with the par