Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-05-11

year, IacllltdCe INSTITUTION anu COIl-
troll prices to the consumer while at
the same time guaranteeing mini
mum price to be paid the producer
so that the latter will be assured a
reasonable profit, are outlined in a
report submitted to the United States
senate recently by Secretary of Agri-
culture David F.. Houston and print
ed in full in the current issue OF the
Weekly News Letter of the depart
ment. No. 39,swhich will be sent to
anyone on request.
After explaining the work and in
creased activities of the department
during recent months, Secretary
Houston asks congress for authority
to call to his assistance "a few men
of special training and broad expe-
rience" to advise him "as special de-
velopments and particular problems
demand it," recommends the crea-
ton in each state, of "a small central
division of food production and con-
servation composed of representa-
tives of the state boards of agricul-
ture, of the land grant colleges, OF
such farmers organizations as the
Grange, the Farmers Union, ETC., and
of bankers and business agencies"
and would supplement these with
county, township or urban bodies of
similar constitution" Such a plan
is being followed in this state, under
the proclamation of Governor Lister.
Depend on Present Farms.
Under the general subject of COR
ganization," Secretary Houston says:
"The increase of food production this
year must come about largely
through increased efficiency on the
farms and ranges already in opera
tion," and goes on to point out that
the labor supply may be zone of the
principal limiting factors" He says
this might be overcome by enrolling
boys of from Is to 10 years old, of
whom he says. 'It is stated that
there are more than 100000 in
cities and towns not now engaged in
productive work"
"The department, through the Of
flee of farm management" he con-
tinues, twill undertake to place a
man in each state to keep
in touch with the states central
board of food production and con-
servation to assist it in devising the
best means of furnishing relief to
communities that need additional
labor"
Referring again to production, he
says: "It is especially important
that emphasis be laid on the in
creased production Of the staple
crops" and recommends five differ
ent ways in which the facilities of
the department could be enlarged to
promote the food production cam
paign.
The latter half of his report is de-
voted to discussing the general sub
ject. distribution" concerning which
he says:
Distribution just as Important.
mo less important than increased
production is the establishment of
satisfactory and efficient arrange
ments for distribution. The pro-
Queer of foodstuffs is entitled to as
surances that the channels of distri-
button will be open and that free,
competitive. and manipulated mar
ket will exist. and the uneconomic
speculation will be either controlled
or prevented. To meet this situation
the department of agriculture should
be given the following authority and
power:
"(D To make a complete survey
of the food supply Of the nation, with
a view to secure full information as
to it's location. ownership, and where
it is needed, and complete knowledge
as to the instrumentalities and agen-
cies that own, control, manufacture,
and distribute food products.
"(2) After investigation, and in
cooperation with the trade interests
involved, to establish market grades
and classes of farm products includ-
ing seeds and standards for recep-
tacles for such products together
with authority to effect a suitable de-
gree of supervision of their applica-
ton through such inspection service
as may be necessary.
To License Enterprises.
"(3) To license and supervise the
operation of all plants, mills, packing
houses, canneries, slaughterhouses
breweries, distilleries, storage houses,
or other establishments or factories
in which food or feeds, agricultural
implements and machinery and mate
rails therefor, fertilizers. insecticides,
fungicides, serums, toxins, viruses,
and any other articles required for
agricultural purposes are prepared,
manufactured, or kept for sale or