South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-03

WASHINGTON, d. c., March .
A review Of the most significant steps
that have been taken in the last
few years TO benefit the economic
condition of the farmer is contained
in an article by Carl NrOOman, as
siStant secretary of agriculture. pub
lished in the forthcoming year book
of the department. In this article.
Mr. NrOoman points out that for
so years the United States depart
ment OF agriculture has been study
ing how to increase production on
the farms. but that il is only very
recently that stress has been laid
on study Of the problem OF MAX
ing that production profitable. In
the past he says, there has been a
mistaken theory that everybody is
interested in increasing agricultural
production, but that nobody but the
farmer is interested in making that
production profitable.
That this theory has at last been
recognized as fallacious is indicated
by important legislation enacted in
the last few years. Prominent I'm this
! legislation was the creation, in 1913,
of the office of markets and rural
organization. The creation of this
office says Mr. NroOman. was an
innovation of epOch-making signi-
! fcance." This office represents the
I first attempt on the part Of the gov
eminent 10 remedy through scienti-
ic investigation the waste ard ex-
- az -
of distributing and disposing of farm
products Long before there was
any official recognition of the need
} for this step, the farmers themselves
realized the necessity for it. The
grang movement, the farmers alli-
anCe movement. and the populist
movement were all inspired by the
conviction on the part of the pro-
ducers that organization on their
part was essential to Improvement
I in their econmic condition. The as
sistant secretary points out thar
while many of the specific remedies
demanded ~ the leaders of these
movements were impracticable.
their basic demands were just, and
! he emphasizes the necessity of ap-
plying TO these problems much the
same methods of scientific study
(which have made possible such eX-
|traordinary advances in the produc-
/ ton of crops.
In addition to the creation of the
Office Of markets and rural organ
/ ization. "a number of laws have been
passed which are characterized as
lbeins of immense economic imporr-
ar-e TO the farmer. Perhaps the
most important one Of these is that
/ financial magma charta OF the farm
err. the farm loan act.
This" declares the assistant sec
rotary. lis the first great financial
measure ever passed by congress
primarily in the interest Of the
farmer. I have no doubt that in the
future IL will be strengthened by
amendments with regard TO some OF
its minor details. as was the federal
reserve bin. but in all fairness il
must be admitted that this bill will
90 for the farmer very much what
the federal reserve act is doing for
the business man. IL will furnish
The farmer with those fundamental
/ necessities that he has oeen ask
ling for. voting for. and praying for
during the past half century"
These fundamental necessities are
defined as:
First.-Available capital in SUI
ncient quantities for the farmers
Legitimate needs.
Second.-Loans on longer time
and easier terms OF payment.
Third Lower rates OF interest.
Another measure cited in this con-
nection is the bonded warehouse act
Of Aug II. 1915. This Legislation
was PASSED in response 10 demand
on the part OF the farmers for a
mechanism that would enable them
20 borrow money more easily. and
at a lower rate OF interest, on stored