The chronicle=news., 1913-03-18
FOREIGN PROBE
Of RURAL CREDITS

Washington. March lS.-Instruc-
tions to the American diplomatic Of
ficers In Europe To secure court'sic'
from the foreign government, for the
American commission which Is To
visit Europe this sp'ins under Tn"
auspices Of the Southern Commercial
Congress TO investigate rural credit
systems were issued Today by s-rre-
ltary az Stat" william Jennings Bry-
an,
Ecror. leaving office Secretary
Knox gave the Star" Departments
approval To th.. rural cr.di, iGvcsfi-
CATION hut since that time the
American comm Ission ha. received
approval by Cingrcss and PRECEDENT
Wilson. which xiycs IL u s"mi-offi-
clal status. In his instructions Sec
rc'ary brycn points out that Con
srcss has appropriated $4,000 for
the expenses OF several commission
ors. who Will be appointed Ry Prcs!-
dent Wilson. TO cooperate Min the
American commission. No salaries
will he paid TO these commissioners.
Congress also passed n Joint r"olu-
tion directing the Secretary OF state
to bcspcak for the proposed Am.ri-
tcsics of the varlous European Gov
"rnmcnts." In carrying out these
directions Secretary Bryan has In
sirhctcd tn" American ambassadors
In EAirop" to secure for III" commis-
sion. such court~sIes and assistance"
In the line Of Its cndcavors as II may
b" possihl" TO obtain" and adds 1T
Will b" seen thar by this Joint rcsolu-
ton the commission under III. dir"r-
'lon OF tn" Somthcrn Commercial
Congress is glvcn fcml- official stand.
ing
This act Of Secretary bryan raises
the American commission to the
standing OF n s.mi-nfflclnl body and
assures 1t every facility that can be
extended by the European Govern
mcnts for the conduc, of !i- invcs;i-
cations. The commission Is directed
by Congress to submit to that body n
report on tho subject ~ rural credit
systems and the question OF adopt
Ing the cooperative principle In al
lines OF agricultural production and
distribution.
Though tho Southern Commercial
Congress began Its efforts In cam
pa ign for tho adoption q! rurs! cred
II systems II has received such siron.
support both from the Federal and
State Governments and from private
source, that IL has been able To en-
large tho scope OF It's work to in
cludc thorough investigation of all
forms Of cooperative production aud
In the agricultural
field. Cooperative credit Is only al
part OF the Immense system NJ CO.
operative orgn nixations which has
spread all over Europe. Coopcraiiyc|
purchasing organizations. coopcrnt-
i've and municipal markets. where
farmers produce IL sold hy agents at
fixed commission. the entire baln nrc
OF the proceeds going TO the farmer
direct, and cooperative associations
for hacking aud distributing farm
products. will all be- invcssiratr I'd.
Tho democratic nationnl plRtfor
on which President Wilson was elect
cd. contains n plank endorsing the
agricultural cooperative movcncn;
aud President Wilson has already
cvinced n keen interest In the sub
jcci. There now exists n committee
of uinc Governors of States TO con-
slider legislation necessary for the or
ganization Of cooperative credit and
other associations. This COMMITTEES
as well as the Federal Congress. will
receive the report Of the National!
Commission. and II appears now thai
next fall n nationwide rampairn
will bc wagcd IN tho interest of tho
cooperative moremcn, among Nmcr!-
can farmers rs \ means to inrrenscI
agricultural production and lower
tho cost Of living