The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-08
Secretary Of Agriculture
Will Submit Plan
to Congress.
PRESENTS FIRST
ANNUAL REPORT
Proposes to Carry Out Work in
Several Groups-Opposes Free
Distribution of Seeds. and
Discusses Needs of Farm
Women and Federal
Aid for Roads.

Washing ton, December I.-Ecorgan-
ization Of tho Department Of Arri
culture is forcshadowcd in Secretary
iionstons first annual report present
ed to-daE to President Wilson. a plan
ITO be submitted TO Congress in tho
nscal estimates for 1916 proposas TO
carry out tho work OF the depart-
'n"nt in five or six main groups. such
rs research. State relations rural or
Ganization, forest service. weather ana
regulation such plan. Secretary
Houston believes. Will promote Co
ordination
Plans for rodlstrlctina the country
tor the enforcement Of the pure food
law arc announced, and tho secretary
announces his intention'to to ask for au-
thorit%' 10 prepare amendments TO the
pure food law TO improve the food
supply. protect the public health ana
promote uniformity in food lcgisla-
tion.
Free distribution OF seed BIZ Con-
gressnen should toe discontinued. the
secretary recommends. He would con-
duct In It's stead a constructive work
IN securing and distributing new seeds
ana plants.
Condition. Vary Widely.
Conditions vary widely in the United
States. says the report, because farm
"rs do not equally need better credit
arrangement and all sections are no,
I that when all necessary allowance has
been mad- for fundamental factors IL
Is probably clear that the rural com
'nunitics ar not as efficiently served
as they should be by existing financial
arrangements The secretary believes
there does not appear TO be need FOR
unique or special legislation. or for log
isiation which shall aim TO give the
farmer crdit on easier terms than other
members OF society. What is needed
- the creation OF conditions and ma
chincry which shall enable him on
similar credit foundations To secure
money at tho same rates AS those that
prevail Tor other classes and for other
sections.
Even though the problem Of how
tn" farmer can best sell his produce
and can improve th- conditions under
which he can secure the necessary
capital We're solved. there would still
remain vital things to be accomplished
before rural life can bc made fully
efficient. profitable. healthful. pIcasur-
able and attractive. and before :, larger
disposition 70 remain on the farm de-
Yclops. Good roads are prerequisite for
better mark citing. FOR better schools
and for moro comfortable rural living.
i;cttsr sanitation and hygiene in the
home. in the school and In tho COM
munity are just as vital for the rural
community FOR the urban" says
the report
Needs or Farm Women.
To gain Information To enable the
Department better TO serve rural WON
en-, the secretary has addressed let
ter. of inquiry To the women on $4,000
selected farms covering every county.
( Other surveys ANA studies were also
conducted. Analysts OF the small part
OF the letters Yet digcSted shows
that farm women desire assistance as
10 ways Of securing running water
Introducing household power inachin-
cry and IL abor-saNiug arrangements
and providing better hycienic and san
itarE conditions. Many seek advice rs
10 the better marketing OF the articles
they produce. Others ask the depart
ment TO prove Ia the man that their
work is worth something in dollars
and cents The overwork Of women
and children and difficulty OF securing
domestic help are mentioned 10y Il mum
ber OF the writer's. The department
believes that intelligent help TO WON
en- in matters OF nome management
viii contribute directly To tho agri-
cultural success OF tho farm. 1t pur-
noses. therefore To ask Congress for
means and authority To make more
complete studies OF domestic condi-
tions on the farm. 10 experiment with
abor-saNinS devices and methods, and
10 study completely the question of
PIictlCdi S1tltdtioN ana nNSlcHlC pro-
lection for the farm family.
Aid for Good KOads.
AS TO Federal aid for good roads.
tho secretary says tho Federal gov
crnment should deal with the state as
tho lowest unit, through an expert
highway commissioner as Its agency.
Th" plan should provide for mainten-
ance as we'll as construction. Prefer
encc should be given TO the improve
ment of roads over which products
from the farms can be taken to the
nearest railway station y scheme OF
road construction and maintenance
within State should De developed and
mutually agreed upon. Money aDpro-
priated by tho Federal government
should be apportioned on the basis Of
such factors "a total population. farm
population, area, taxable valuation and
mileage.