The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-28

Having listened To an explanation of
the Lever agricultural extension bill
as presented by it's author. Repre-.
sentative Asbury +. Lever. of south
Carolina. the Bankers Association of
the District OF Columbia. at Its meet.
Ing at the New willard Hotel last
night. with the leading flnanciers OF
the city present. including the direc-
tors. an well as the active officials OF
practically every banking institution
In the National Capital. unanimously
Endorsed the measure. and named a
committee to urge its adoption by the
Senate 1T once. IL having already pass.
cd the House OF Representatives.
Soon after Mr.. Lever had taken his
seat. having reviewed the Federal atti-
tuds toward tins greatest profession"
pointed out the necessity for inaugura-
ton OF intensive farming. and COM
plimsnted Secretary Of Agriculture
Wilson for his masterful upbuilding
Of the Department OF Agriculture.
Charlas J. Bell. president of tho
American Security and Trust Com
pany. introduced the following resolu-
tion:
Resolved. That the Bankers As
sociation OF the District Of Columbia.
realizing the great benefit which the
whole country will derive from the ex-
Tension Of scientific education to In
ciude the farming industry. and real
ising the Interest which bankers else
where. individually and through their
State associations. are taking In this
subject unanimously indorse the Lev
er agricultural extension bill. which
passed the House of Representatives
OF the United States this year with
out dissenting vote. and has been
approved by the committee of the
United States Senate.
Resolved. That this association
urge the Senate Of the United States
to enact this measure into law with
islatures meeting In January. 1913,
may take Immediate steps to secure
the benefits Of the law for their own
States"
The resolution was unanimously
adopted, and a committee composed
OF Mr.. Bell. as chairman: w. ". Cox,
John Joy Edson. George w. White.
and himself. was appointed by III. II.
Mckee. the president. to wait upon
the Senate and advocate the measure.
His bill. Mr.. Lever said. is built
upon the idea OF furnishing to every
agricultural county In the United
States trained man who will be To
the farmer what the physician is to
the family-ons to whom the agricul-
turist may 40 for advice as to meth
DDS TO pursue to correct the evils
which beset his land.
To accomplish this purpose. the
measure propones a Federal appropri-
alton OF t3.o0o.000. to be expended
States OF the Union subscribing an
equal amount. Belgium and other
European countries. the speaker de-
clared. through the introduction of
Intensive farming methods. are pro-
ducing from two and one-half to
three times as much per acre as
proach this European scale. he added.
IL would be equivalent to the discov-
cry OF colony equal In size to the
present territory OF the United States.
Agriculture Is this nations great
est asset" he said. tho agricultural
capitalization Is approximately $41,-
o00.o0o.000. or practically four times
as much as the capitalization Of the
nations railroads. and probably four
times as much as the total capitaliza-
tion OF its national banks
Should the farmers OF the country
determine to go upon a strike for
twelve months. every bank In the ma
ton would be compelled within a few
brief months to close its doors: not a
railroad would be able to turn
wheel. and every city in the :. d
would be. within six months. upon
the verge OF starvation"
This problem OF agriculture" ne
= continued. which many Of the un-
thinking are inclined to laugh and
sneer at. 10 the most important up for
soiution at the hands OF the American
people. The high cost Of living is a
vital question for tho people OF the
city. II will never be solved until we
have solved the problem Of produc-
ton OF food and raiment. and reached