The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1918-06-27
EXPLAINS LICENSING
OF THE FARM EQUIP.
MENT INDUSTRY
secretary Houston States
DEPARTMENT. Policy in
Letter to Publisher
10y Efloet 70 b Made 10 Assure
FaznsEs Of Supply, to Assist
- l9Anufactmess, Facilitate
shipns.t, end Correct
Abuses

6hipmeat, end Correct
Abuses
In response 70 letter from q pub
Usher Of . trade journal requesting
information in regard to the licens-
ing Of the farm-eQuipment industry
under the recent proclamation of the
president. Secretary Houston. Of the
Department Of Agriculture. charged
with the administration Of the reg
ulations. has, written that every ef-
fort willlbe made to assure to farm
err An adequate and continuous sup
ply of farm machinery and equip
ment at reasonable costs to assist
manufacturers In securing the re-
Quisite quantity Of raw materials. to
facilitate the shipment of these ma
terials to the manufacturers and of
the finished products to the distrib-
utors and to farmers. and to correct
any abuses that may exist which the
Food Control Act gives power to deal
with"
The secrstary's reply in full is a.
follows:
DiAculties in Securing Material
''The production Of an adequate
supply Of farm machinery and equip
mont and its distribution to farmers
ct reasonable prices are at all times
matters of great moment and Of spe-
cisi interest to the nation. In the
emergency through which we are
passing 1t is Of even greater mo-
ment and interest. You are aware.
Of course. since the European war
btgan. and especially since we en-
tered the war. not only that prices
70 greatly increased. but also that
~ manufacturers have experienced
difficulties in different directions
dimculties in securing at all times
. sufncient quantity Of raw material
and prompt transportation.
There IL evidently much disturb
ance among the farmers Of the ma
ton over the matter. Many repre-
ssntations are made that the prices
Of farm machinery are unduly high.
Others are made that dificulties are
experienced in securing certain kinds
Of machinery within reasonable
time. Clearly. there are many Ques-
tlons that esa be- determined only
b. impartial authority. and 1t seems
highly wise. in the present situation
that all matters Of such interest
should be considered formally by the
government. and not only that all
abuses. II any exist. should be cor
rected. but that all proper assistance
should be furnished to all parties In
carrying on their legitimate enter
prises under as favorable circum-
stances as possible. f.
"Partly for the reasons indicated
the farm machinery industry. like q
number Of other industries Of the
nation. is being placed under license
under the terms Of the act. commonly
known as the Food Conrtlo Act.
which was approved ON August 10.
1917. Section Of that act is the
licensing section. and Its language
indicates the purpose in mind. As in
dicated. the president is authorized
to Issue licenses and prescribe regu-
latipns for the same and require
ments for systems Of accounts and
auditing of accounts to be kept by
licenses, submission OF reports by
lm. with or without oath or af-
firmation. and the entry and inspec-
tion Of the presidents duly author
lied agents of the place Of business
Of licensees. Whenever the presi-
dent shall find that any storage
charge. commission. profit or prac-
tioe Of any licensee Ia unjust. or un-
reasonable. or discriminatory and
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