New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-27

This n, ght also be called a production
bonus or incentive. This IS not enough;
perhaps in no factor Of agricultural
production can well meant but mis-
.riided zeal 90 as far wrong as here:
Again. we face problem which n
handled according 20 we'll dehneo
general policy may bring to our ma
tional agriculture great permanent
gain; il misdirected the efforts VIII De
unsatisfactory.
an the minimum price guarantee ana
financial aid We have another coaxer
with which 20 move Mr.. Farmer along
the line Of production chosen oy
Federal Food Board.
"The grower, in order 70 participate
in the advantages OF guaranteed
minimum price FOR five years ana IN
order to obtain funds for capital IN
vestment in improvements on his prop
erty at low interest and repayment
rates. obligates himself for the term
OF the contract 10 follow the directions
and advice OF the county supervisors,
acting under the established policy OF
the state and Federal food boards.
Drastic Measures Not Necessary
This should, with little judicious
education, bring the farmers INTO the
national system. For those who stun
demur the government has on hand tne
drastic measures OF sequestratioh ~
view of war and national danger.
Drastic measures, however, should not
be necessary.
"The necessity for centralized Fed
e-al control TO utilize all these rational
resources is obvious. We may outline
in principle. the following organization
to that end:
A. The Federal Food Board. Executive.
Federal Food Directory
l. The United States Department OF Pro-
duction. (Under Director OF Pro-
duction.)
II. The United States Department OF
! Marketing and Consumption. tUn-
der Director OF Marketing.l
III prparment u Production wo,ild reauirs
| numerous sub-departments. headoi BY e1
perts in that line with the nec~say as
sistantA)
% The acreage office.
90 The seed office.
| 90 The labor office.
(i) The machinery. implements and
| construction office.
90 The fertilizer office.
(6) The livestock Office.
| 90 The transportation Office.
81 The rural credit and banking Of
fee
(9l The canning. cold storage and
preservation Office.
/ B. The State Food Board. with subdivisions
corresponding 20 the Federal organ
ization. in each commonwealth.
| c. The county supervisor. who. with bis
| heutenants is responsible for the
practical working out of the ma
tional-statc policy.
although the plan Of organization
here outlined is only an unofficial
suggestion, the discussion OF IL may
serve to stimulate thought and action
| concerning some of the many complex
| problems involved.
To Avoid Cross Purposes
"Ihe United States Department of
| Production must have its duties, func-
tions and authority clearly specified
in order to reduce to a minimum lost
motion, cross purposes, duplication OF
effort, or Jurisdiction disputes. All
heads and sub-heads must have their
duties and titles clearly specified.
| They must be given absolute author
| ity within their sphere and at the
same time made responsible for re-
suits.
"The function of the Federal Food
Board, in the large, is one of policy,
while that Of the state board is one
| of practical execution. The Federal
Food Board must be the clearing
house for information from the coun-
try and the world, where matters Of
policy are decided and put into exc
cution.
"The state food boards. for admin
J istrative reasons, should be along
identical lines with the Federal Food
Board However, there is funda-
mental difference in their functions.
The Federal Board formulates the
general policy. The state board Is
concerned with the practical work of
executing the policy. They also
furnish the Federal board with all
that invaluable detailed information
concerning local conditions so din
cult to obtain.
"The state agricultural colleges,
with their faculties, alumne and
laboratories, should be a part of the
|