Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-12-19
SECRETARY HUSTON SEEKS
INFORMATION FOR FARMERS
Secretary of Agriculture Discusses Problems of
the Farm in His Annual Report--Plans to
Advance Farmers Interests.

David F. Houston, Secretary of
Agriculture, has published his an
nual report for the year 1918. The
report which contains only SO pages,
differs from previous reports in that
instead of merely reviewing the ag-
ricultural situation, it presents in
summary many broad economic
questions. Thruout the report
strong emphasis is placed on coop
Grafton between the Department of
Agriculture and other federal de-
partments and the state agricultural
agencies to promote coordination
and eliminate duplication of effort.
The keynote is getting the depart
ment's information in all fields more
directly and in more valuable form
to the people. The following are
summarized statements of some of
the more important subjects and
recommendations discussed in this
report:
In many directions further pro-
duction waits on better distribution
and the field of distribution presents
problems which raise in very grave
ways the simple issue of justice.
Under existing conditions the farm
er does not get what he should for
his product; the consumer is re-
quired to pay an unfair price, and
unnecessary burdens are imposed un-
der the existing systems of distri-
button. No one can see offhand
just what part of the burden is due
to lack of systematic planning or in
efficiency, economic waste, or to un-
fair manipulation.
The report outlines the projects in
this field as covering marketing sur
veys, methods and costs of market
ing, including available market sup
plies in given production areas, de-
mand at consuming centers, cold
and other methods of storage, mar
keting systems and prices, and costs
of wholesale and retail distribution
of farm products. Other studies in
this branch include: investigation of
transportation problems and the ell
imination of waste in shipment;
study of city marketing and dis
tribution; study of grades; and fin.
ally cooperative production and
marketing. The necessity for stan:
dardizing agricultural products as &
prerequisite to proper marketing il
given special emphasis.
The individual farmer acting alone
is helpless before the the problems
of rural credit and Of marketing
Concerted action is essential. II
cooperative effort, equity and just
ice must be kept in mind. Cooper
alton does not mean that an organ
ization shall attempt to establish
closed market and to fix prices
This should be condemned as strong
ly in one field of industry as in an
other.
1t is recommended that provision
be made for the establishment Q
grading standards for various farr
products and for the promulgatio
of standards already established b
the department for cotton and cor
grades.
To gain information that woul
enable the department better
serve rural women, the secretal
addressed letters of inquiry to Il
women on $1,000 selected farm
covering every county. Other su
veys and studies were also conduc
ed. Analysis of the small part
the letters as yet digested shoy
that farm women desire assistan
in all phases of home management
especially as to ways of securil
running water. introducing hous
hold power machinery and lab
saving arrangements, and proVidil
better hygienic and sanitary con-
tions. Many seek advice as to t
better marketing Of the artic
they produce. Others ask the {
partment to prove to the man Il
their work Is worth somethi
In dollars and cents. The overwc
of women and children and the {
ficulty in securing domestic b
are mentioned by a number of