Evening star., 1918-11-27
DEEMS GOOD ROADS
VITAL TO FARMER
Mr.. Houston Puts System of
Personal Credits Next in
Pre-War Needs.
FOR LAND SETTLEMENTS

Reconstruction plans, in the opinion
of Secretary Houston. should include
resumption of highway construction
Of a system of personal credit unions
for farmers, systematic supervision
of land settlement, provisions for
safeguarding the rights of tenants
and encouragement of farm owner
ship. continuation 81 government SUI
pervision of stockyards and related
industries, and extension OF the bens-
fits of modern medicine and SANTA
ton to rural districts.
Ready for REIMBURSEMENT.
These views of the Secretary, ex-
pressed in confidence to agricultural
editors of the country at meeting
here several days ago, were au-
thorized 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 a peace basis. New
erthe,ess, he said. the farmer and the
farm cannot go back to the pre-war
state.
The public highways, the secretary
told the editors, will be a vital fac
tor in the reconstruction period. For
that reason, he said, highway con-
struction should be started as soon
road act federal and state funds. ap-
propriated for road building and not
expended owing to the stoppage OF
construction by the war. Will amount
this year to about $75,000.000. Road
for employment of the surplus labor
supply expected to result from de-
mobilization of the Army.
Though farmers with proper secur-
ity may now obtain loans through
the farm loan banks. Secretary Hous-
vised for furnishing financial assist
ance for the farmers who cannot Of
fer land as collateral. Establishment
of personal credit unions. preferably
by the states. would meet this prob
lem, he said.
Favors Land Settlements.
Discussing the possibility that many
of the returning soldiers may wish to
take up farming. the Secretary said
it would be desirable to facilitate
land settlement in more systematic
fashion. This, he said. has too long
been left to the haphazard inter-
vention of private enterprises and the
nation has suffered not little from
irresponsible private direction" Both
federal and state governments should
furnish, in his opinion, reliable in
formation and agricultural guidance
to beginning farm ers and should pro-
mote well considered settlement
plans.
Particularly vital, Mr. Houston held.
is that the process of acquiring own
ership of farms should be ENCOURAGED
and hastened. Tenancy should be
protected. for "it is step toward
ownership"
The restoration and maintenance of
conditions which will justify conf
dence in the live stock ma axkets and
the meat packing industry, the Secre-
tary 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 supervision over the packing
industry. He urged that the neces-
sary legislation should be enacted at
the earliest possible moment.
Would Promote Health.
To promote rural health and SANTA
ton. he explained that an effective
sanitary survey should be made of the
country, the soyces of such diseases
as typhoid fever be eradicated, steps
be taken to control the hook worm
and mosquitoes, and the country. dis
tricts be gi~en the advantages Of
modern hospitals. nursing and spe-
cialized medical practice.
Certain activities of the Department
Of Agriculture expanded under the
food production act should be con-
tinued, said the Secretary, naming the
work Of the extension forces. the con-
troll and eradication Of animal dis
eases 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"
It was yet too early. he said. to ad-
wise regarding planting next spring,
as no one can foreteu the supply and
a ~. he