The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-09-15

No administration has ever done so
much to advance the agriculture in
terests of the United States as that of
President Wilson. The record Is set
forth chiefly and effectively in q let
ter written by the President to Con-
gresham A. F. Lever, Chairman Of
the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives, as follows
THE WHITE HOUSE.
Washington.
August II, 1919.
My dear Mr.. Lever:
It has given me much satisfaction
to approve today the bill making ap-
preparations for the Department Of
Agriculture for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1917, and for other purposes,
because the bill not only makes very
generous provision for the improve
ment of farm production in the ma
ton and for Investigations and demon
STATIONS in the field Of the marketing
of farm crops and Of the organization
of rural life, but also contains three
well conceived measures designed to
improve market practices and the stor-
age and financing of staple crops. AS
the passage Of this bill marks the
practical completion of an important
part of the program for the better
ment of rural life which was mapped
out at the beginning Of the administra-
ton, I feel, that ! cannot let the oc-
casion pass without conveying to you
and your associates in both houses
my appreciation Of the service rem
dered to the nation in Strengthening
its great agricultural foundations.
The record, legislative as well as
administrative, Is a remarkable one.
1t speaks for itself and needs only to
be set forth.
/. Appreciation of the Importance
of agriculture has been shown through
greatly and intelligently increased ap-
propriations for its support.
2. Particular pains have been taken
to foster production by every promising
means, and careful thought has been
given especially to the matter Of in
creasing the meat supply Of the nation.
3. Greatly increased provision has
been made, through the enactment of
the Cooperative Agricultural Exten.
sion Act, for conveying agricultural
information to farmers and for iDduc-
ing them to apply it. This piece of
legislation is one of the most signif-
cant and far reaching measures for
the education Of adults ever adopted
by any government. It provides for
cooperation between the States and
the Federal Government. This is
highly important and significant prin-
ciple. When the Act is in full opera
ton there will be expended annually
under its terms, from Federal and
State sources alone, total Of over &c.
100000, in the direct education of the
farmer; and this amount is being and
will be increasingly supplemented by
contributions from local sources. It
will permit the placing in each of the
1850 rural counties Of the nation two
farm demonstrators and specialists
who will assist the demonstrators In
the more difficult problems confront
ing them.
4. Systematic provision for the first
time has been made for the solution
of problems in that important half Of
agriculture which concerns distribu-
rural finance, and
rural organization.
5. Provision was made promptly
for the creation of an Office Of Mar
kets and Rural Organization and the
for this Office, includ-
ing those for enforcing new laws de-
signed to promote better marketing,
have been increased to $1,2O0,000. The
more difficult problems of marketing
are being investigated and plans are
in operation for furnishing assistance
to producers Of perishables through
market news service. A similar SER
vice for live stock interests will be
during the year.
6. The problems Of securing the
uniform grading Of staple crops, Of
dealings and traffic in them,
If developing better system Of ware !
houses, and of providing more avail
able collateral for farm loans has been |
dealt with.
7. Under the Cotton Futures Act |
standards for cotton have been estab-
ished, the operations of the, futures
exchanges have been put under super
7ision, and the sale Of cotton has been
placed on firmer basis.
s. The United States Grain Stand
lrds Act will secure uniformity in the
grading of grain, enable the farmer
% obtain fairer prices for his product,
Ind afford him an incentive to raise
,etter grades of grain.
8. The United States Warehouse
Act will enable the Department of
Agriculture to license bonded ware
louses in the various states. 1t will
cad to the development of better stor-
lge facilities for staple crops and will
make possible the issuance of reliable