The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-28
ROAD BUILDING
IS PLANNED IN
RECONSTRUCTION
Systematic Supervision Of
Land Settlement and Agri-
culture Reforms Necessary,
Houston Says.
(By Associated Press)

tBy Associated fTeSSJ
WASHINGTON. Nov. 27.-Recon-
struction plans in the opinion of Sec
rotary Houston should include resump-
ton of highway construction under
the federal aid road act. creation OF
system of personal credit unions for
farmers, systematic supervision OF
land settlement provisions for safe
guarding the rights of tenants and en-
couragement Of farm ownership, con-
tinuation of government supervision
of stock yards and related industries,
and extension of the benefits OF mod
ern medicine and sanitation to rural
districts.
These views OF the Secretary ex-
pressed in confidence to agricultural
editors of the country at meeting
here several days ago. were author
ICED for publication today Confidence
was expressed by Mr.. Houston that
agriculture, which he said. probably
was the best prepared interest in the
nation when the war came" would be
one of the first to readjust itself to
the farmer and the farmpeace
peace basis.
The public highways, Secretary
Houston told the editors, will be
vital feature of the reconstruction pc
Rod. For that reason, he said, high
way construction should be started as
soon as possible. Under the federal
aid road act, federal and state funds,
appropriated for road building and
not expended owing to the stoppage
of construction by the war; will
amount this year to about $75,O0O,0OO.
Road building he termed a worthy
project for employment of the surplus
labor supply expected to result form
rehabilitation of the army.
Credit for Farmers.
Though farmers with proper secur-
ity may now obtain loans through the
farm loan banks, Secretary Houston
said some means must be devised for
furnishing financial assistance for the
farmers who cannot offer land as col
lateral. Establishment of personal
credit unions, preferably by the states,
would meet this problem, he said.
Discussing the possibility that many
of the returning soldiers may wish to
take up farming, the secretary said II
would be desirable to facilitate land
settlement in more systematic fashion.
This, he said. has too long been
left ito the haphazard Intervention OF
private enterprises and the nation has
suffered not a little from irresponsible
private direction" Both federal and
state governments should furnish, in
his opinion reliable information and
agricultural guidance to beginning
farmers and should promote well con-
sidered settlement plans.
Urge Farm Ownership.
Particularly vital. Mr.. Houston held,
Is that the process Of acquiring owner
ship Of farms be encouraged and hast
ened. Tenancy should be protected,
for ut Is a step towards ownership"
The restoration and maintenance OF
conditions which will justify conf
dence in the livestock markets and the
meat packing industry, the Secretary
termed the greatest single need in the
present meat situation in the United
States. The economic welfare of meat
production and distribution would be
promoted, he said, by the continuation
and development in some form of SUI
pervision over the packing industry.
He urged that the necessary leglsla-
ton should be enacted at the earliest
possible moment
To promote rural health and santa
ton, he explained that an effective
sanitary survey should be made of the
tHe oOultco VI Su'u uioSdsCo
as typhoid fever be eradicated, steps
be taken to control the hook worm
and mosquitoes and the country dis
tricts be given the advantages Of mod
ern hospitals, nursing and specialized
medical practice.
Certain activities of the department
Of agriculture expanded under the food
production act should be continued,
said the Secretary, naming the work
of the extension forces, the control
and eradication of animal diseases and
the market news agencies
Discussing the world food situation
Secretary Houston said it appeared
highly probable that prices for cur
rent supplies. for the harvests of this
year. both because of large foreign
needs and of continuing domestic de-
mands. will remain reasonably high
and remunerative TO producers 1t
was yet too early, he said, to advise
regarding planting next spring as no
one can foretell the supply and de-
mand and the prices year hence.