The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-24

falling behind l5.3 per cent; during this
same period there has come an eXtraordi-
nary Increase in the valuation of farm
lands until il Is No longer an easy or sim
pie matter for the average man to be-
come the owner of well improved farm.
Moreover the percentage Of tenant farm
efs is steadily increasing, in some states
with alarming rapidity. 1t cannot be said
with any show OF reason that the growth
of tenant class indicates a stable or
desirable economic condition.
without minimizing in any degree the
Importance of efforts to increase produe-
ton and to conserve the fertility of the
soil, it may be safely affirmed that Amer
lean agriculture viii never be firmly es-
tablished until it is made possible for
1t to become profitable permanently for
the farmer of average ability
Strive to Improve Conditions
while the man of exceptional attain
ments or exceptionally favorable circum-
stances may become wealthy bv reason
OF increase in land values or good fortune
in the yields of good crops, the stability
Of agriculture and the ultimate prosperity
of our entire citizenship depend chiefly
on the measure of prosperity which at
tend the labors of the average worker on
the average farm. These conditions are
with us and while we strive continually
TO remedy them wherein they are adverse.
we must in common justice to all men
strive TO make 1t reasonably possible for
all men to attain the ideal state ofs the
home owner
Therefore, this congress should answer
the query between the two points OF diff
ferences and gave its outline of policies
as tend to relieve the local producer Of
the handicap of this main economic bur
den and establish equitable relations be-
tween producer, consumer and the dis
tributer of products.
"lf the agricultural mllinenium does
not arrive in the near future it will not
be in lack of agitation in behalf of plans
to bring it about Scarcely day elapses
but some new scheme is advanced having
for its object greater yields, higher prices
for products of the soil lower prices for
what the farmer buys, cheaper interest
money or something else calculated TO
emeiorate unsatisfactory conditions.
Makes for Progress
This makes for progress, whether it
brings progress through these agencies
or not, for the farmer is thereby stimu-
lated to think for himself and To work
out his own salvation.
Prosperity and comfort on the farm
lay at the base of our national well-being.
Sometimes we think there is a tendency
10 overdo the matter of attempted relief
through the medium of mere mankind
To his hands and to his intelligence are
entrusted the solution of problems OF ma
tional concern which affect our entire
citizenship"
Mr. Sanford said the point had been
reached in the evolution of "show the
farmer movement when some wide, cum
prehensive plan for control and co-ordna-
ton of effort should be agreed upon He
said a successful movement for the ad-
vancement of agriculture must depend in
the last analysis upon the farmer himself
and that the great army OF husbandmen
are already on the right track
Farm credits, betterment of country
schools, good roads and extension of par
eel post were among other subjects dis
eussed.