The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-12-08
by ASSOCIATED PRESS.


Washington, Dec. 7.-Reorganiza-
Is foreshadowed in Secretary Hous-
toms first annual report presented to-
day to President Wilson. A plan to
be submitted to congress m the fiscal
estimates for 1916 proposes to carry
4 out the work Of the department in five
or six groups, such as research, state
relations, rural organization, forest
SERVICE weather and regulation. Such
plan, Secretary Houston believes,
VIII promote coordination.
Plans for redistricting the country
for the enforcement Of the pure food
law are announced and the Secretary
announces his intention to ask for au-
thority to prepare amendments to the
supply, protect the public health and
promote uniformity in food legisIa-
tion.
SEED pisTRi5uTIoM.
Free distribution of seeds by con-
gTessmen should be discontinued, the
secretary recommends. He would
conduct in its stead a. constructive
work In securing and distributing
new seeds and plants.
Conditions vary widely in the Uni
ted States. because farmers do not
equally need better credit arrange.
ments. and ali sections are not SINH
larly circunlstanced. 1t contends that
when all necessary allowances has
tfeen made for fundamental factors it
- probably clear that the rural com
u1ufIft5e8 are not as efficiently served
rs they should be by existing finan-
ciai arrangements. The secretary be-
lfeves there does not appear to be
need for unique or special Legislation
or for legislation which shall aim to
give the farmer credit on easier terms
than other members of society," What
is needed Is the creation OF conditions
grf. -1me III
him on similar credit foundations to
secure money at the same rates as
those that prevail for other classes
and for other sections
Even though the problem of
how the farmer can best sell his pro-
duce and can improve the conditions
under which he can secure the neces-
sary capital were solved, there would
still remain vital things to be accom-
plfshed before rural life can be fully
efficient. profitable. healthfu1, pIeasur-
able and attractive, and before a
larger disposition to remain on the
farm develops. Good roads are pre-
requisite for better ma keting for
rural living. Better sanitation and
hygiene in the home, In the school
and in the community are just as
vital for the rural community as for
the urban" Saws the report.
TO SERVE WOMEN.
To gain information to enable the
department better to. serve rural
women, the secretary has addressed
letters oe INQUIRY to the women OF
So 900 selected farms. covering every
county. Other surveys and studies
were also conducted. Analysis of the
AxnaIl part of the letters as vet digest
ed shows that the farm women desire
assistance in all phases OF home man
agement, especially as to wavs of
securing running water, introducing
household power machinery and labor /
.xavingz arrangements, and providing
better hvgfenic and sanitary condt-
tions. Many took advice .as to the
better marketing OF the articles they
produce Others ask the department |
u prove to the man that their work
is worth something In dollars and
cents The overwork of women and
children and difffculty of securing do
nestle help are mentioned by a num-
Der of the writer's The department /
believes that intelligent help to women I
IN matters of home management viii
contribute directly to the agricultural
success of the farm. 1t purposes. |
therefore. to ask congres for, means .
and authority TO make more complete
studies of domestic conditions on the
farm, to experiment with labor
saving devices and methods. and to
study completely theN question OF
r~-..4;,-...sz ~, Page SIX