Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-12

weevil, and touches upon the accom-
plishments of oil of the bureaus carry
ing on the department IS varied activities.
Successful results in efforts to meet the
demand for farm labor are noted.
WOULD KEEP CONTROL OF PACKERS.
Continuation of the form of control
exercised over stockyards and packing
houses under war powers is strongly
recommended. Unecono mic and un-
fair practices have been eliminated, the
Secretary says, and recognition has been
gained of the possibility of bettcring
market conditions by utilizing the de-
partment's corps OF supervisors with
requisite authority.
In recommending steps to facilitate
land settlement in more orderly fashon
the Secretary emphasizes the importance
of encouraging the ownership OF farms.
As to highway development, he says
road work under the federal aud VIII
be resumed in full measure and Wig
orouslv prosecuted. Such work, he sug-
gests, should furnish employment Tor
many unemployed men,
Secretary Houston says the federal
farm loan bank system began operations
under the troubled conditions OF the
world war and it's activities were lmpedcd,
DiiI IN spite tl lUtaSC tliiliNut'it' ." A'sN'
made remarkable headway and there
is little doubt that with the return of
peace its development will hc rapid and
viii more and more fill the expectations
of the people He urges that farmers
form systems of personal credit unions
especially for the benefit OF individuals
whose financial circumstances make IT
difficult for them TO Secure accomInoda-
tions through ordinary channels, and
bcsrraks the interests ot the business
mon of towns and cities in those farmers
whose standards Of living and productive
ability are so low that they might not
TIC received for. the present INTO such
association.
The report closes with an appeal to
extension of the benefits OF modern medl-
cine and sanitation to the scattered popu-
lations of the rural districts
"A vast deal remains TO be done, 1T
saws ''to control such pests as mosquitoes
and the hookworrn, TO eliminate thc
sources Of typhoid fever. and. even more.
to give the country districts the ADVANTAGE
of modern hospitals, nursing and special
izcd medical practice.
WARNS AGAINST WASTE.
"Thc economic wastes from lnsamtary
health surroundings and from disease
! are enormous 1t is impossible TO estl-
mate, their extent. 1t is even more I'M
possible to assess the amount ot existing
preventablc human misery and unhapp' !
ness. The remedy is dlthcult. Many
| agencies, some Of thcm private enter
prises with large funds, are working for
! Improvement States and medical So
| cieties here and there are contributing
more or less effectively. The extension
| and Improvement Of agriculture, including
the drainage Of lands, the clearing o.
| swamps, and the construction oi good
roads, make for betterment.
| The Department Of Agriculture, through
/ its shomc-demonStration service. rs givInf
| valuable aid. and the Public Health Serv
| ice is increasingly extending its functions
especially recently under an appropriation
! for this purpose of sl50000- To wha
extent the further projection Of effort i
n matter for State or local action remain
/ 10 be determined but it seems clear tina
there should be no cessation of aCtlvIt,
| until there has been completed IN ever,
rural community OF the Union IN ctfcctlv
I sanitary survey and. through the provision
! Of adequate machinery, steps taken Z
| control and eliminate the sources ct dis
case and to provide tho necessary modcr
| medical and dental facilities, easily nc
cessible 10 the mass Of the people