Mexico Missouri message., 1916-08-31

gram Executed by Democrats. II
No administration has ever done so
much TO advance the agriculture in
'erests Of the United States as that Of
President Wilson. The record is get
forth chiefly and effectively in q let
Der written by the President to Con-
FRESHMAN A. r. Lever, Chairman of
khe Committee on Agriculture of the
House Of Representatives, as follows:
/ THE WHITE HOUSE. ,
Washington.
/ August IL, 1919.
Ny dear Mr.. Lever:
1t has given me much satisfaction
10 approve today the bill making ap-
proprlations 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
Hon and for investigations and demon
STATIONS in the field Of the marketing
bf farm crops and Of the organization
Of rural life, but also contains three
well conceived measures designed to
Improve market practices and the stor-
bge 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
put at the beginning Of the admlnistra-
lion, l feel that ] cannot let the oc-
caslon pass without conveying to you
md your associates in both houses
my appreciation of the service rem
uered 10 the nHtion in strengthening
Its great agricultural foundations.
The record, legislative as well az
administrative, is remarkable one
L 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-
populations for It's support.
2. Particular pains have been taken
10 foster production by every promising
means. and careful thought has been
given especially 10 the matter OF in
creasing the meat supply of the nation.
2 Crnqtlv increased provision has
been mnde. through The enactment OF
the Cn-uperutiyp Agricultural ENten-
sion Act. for conveying agricultural
snfornl.'iu To farmers aud for lhdu'
ing thyu 10 apply II. This piece Of
legislation Is ON Of The most slgniil-
Ca,r and gar reaching measures for
In. educ tiun 81 adults eyer adopted
bv ANY government. II provides Tor
cu-operatiOu between the States and
she Federal Government. This Is
hIghly uuuurtunt and significant prln-
clnlp- When the Act is In full opera
lion there VIII be expended annually
under its terms, from Federal and
State sources alone. total OF over S.
100000, in the direct education of the
farmer; aud this amount Is being and
will he increasingly supplemented by
Contributions from local sources. 1t
viii permit the placing I'm each Of the
2.SlO rural cOuntles Of the nation two
farm demonstrators and specialists
Who Will kssst the demonstrators In
the more difficult problems confront
ing them.
!. Systematic provision for the hrst
time has been made for the solution
OF problems in that important half of
agriculture which concerns distribu-
uou-marE ating, rural finance, and
rural organization,
b. Provision was made promptly
for the creation of AN Once of Mar
Lets and Rural Organization and the
appropriations for this Office, includ-
ing those FOR enforcing new laws de-
signed to promote better marketing,
lave been Increased to Sl,200,000. The
more difficult problems Of mark citing
are being investigated and plans are
iu operation for furnishing assistance
TO producers of perishRbles through a
market news service. A similar SER
vice for live stock interests will be
snauguruted during the year.
q. The problems Of securing the
uniform grading of staple crops, of
regulating dealings and traffic In them,
of developing better system Of ware
houses, and of providing more avail
able collateral for farm loans has been
successfully dealt with.
z. Under the Cotton Futures Act
standards for cotton have been estab-
lished, the operations of the futures
exchanges have been put under super
vision, and the sale Of cotton has been
placed ON a flrmer basis.
s. The United States Grain Stand
ards Act will secure uniformity in the
grading of grain, enable the farmer
10 obtain fairer prices for his product,
and AFFORD him an incentive to raise
better grades OF grain.
9. The United States Warehouse
Act will enable the Department Of
Agriculture to license bonded ware
houses In the various states. It will
lead TO the development of better stor-
age facilities for staple crops and will
make possible the issuance of reliable
warehouse receipts which will be wide
IT, and easily negotiable.
10. Oh no less Importance for agri-
'ulture aud for the national develop
ent is the Federal Aid Road Act.
This measure win cOnduce TO the es-
Enlistment of more effective highway
b achinery in each state, strongly In.
GIence the development Of good road
luilding along right lines. stimulate
anger production and better market
ng, promote a fuller ana more attrac-
i've rural life, add greatly to the con-
'enience and economic welfare of all
he people aud strengthen the national
oundauons. The Act embOdies sound
..... 1o.,f,I.tf,,, and will