The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-07

months the nation is likely to be called
upon for large quantities of available
food and feeds to supply not only the
peoples with whom We co-operated in
the war but also those of the neutrals
and the central powers. This will in
volye a continuation of conservation on
the part of our people and probably
of the maintenance of a satisfactory
range of prices for food products dur
ing the period
Increased values for all farm prod
ucts are shown. ION the basis of
says the report, the value of all crops
produced in 1918 and of live stock on
farms on January l, including horses,
mules, cattle, sheep, swine, and poul-
try, is estimated to be $24, 100000,
compared with s21,325, 100000 for
1917, s15,Sdo, 100000 for 1915, s12.-
650,0O0,00O for 1914, and $11,700,000,-
900 for the five-year average. The
increased values reveal that the none
tary returns to the farmers have in
creased proportionately with those of
other groups of producers in the ma
ton and that their purchasing power
has kept pace in the rising scale of
prices
The secretary acknowledges aid
given the department by educational
institutions, the national agricultural
advisory committee and other agen-
operation with the war, navy and
labor departments. He summarizes
the work of the department including
the successful campaign against the
cattle tick and the pink boil weevil,
and touches upon the accomplish
ments of all of the bureaus carrying
on the departments varied activities.
Successful results in efforts to meet
the demand for farm labor are noted.
Continuation OF Control.
Continuation Of the form of control
exercised over stock yards and pack
ing houses under war powers is
strongly recommended. Uneconomic
and unfair practices have been elm
| mated, the secretary says, and recog-
| milton has been gained of the posi-
| bility of lettering market conditions
by utilizing the departments corps of
! supervisors with requisite authority
In recommending steps to facilitate
| land settlement in more orderly fash
ion, the secretary emphasizes the i'm
portance of encouraging the owner
ship of farms.
| AS to highway development, he says
cooperative roads work under the
, federal aid act will be resumed in
! full measure and vigorously prose-
cuted. Such work, he suggests, should
J furnish employment for many unem-
| ployed men.
Secretary Houston says the federal
| IdTIn iOdI pdnk system began opera
| tions under the troubled conditions of
| the world war and it's activities were
| impeded, but in spite of these difficult
ties it has made remarkable Roadway
| and there is little doubt that with the
return of peace it's development will be
rapid and will 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 circum-
stances make it difficult for them to
secure accommodations thru ordinary
| channels. and bespeaks the interests
| of the business men of towns and
cities in those farmers whose stand
ards of living and productive ability
a1e so low thatathey might not be re-
ceived for the present into such as
| sociations.
| The report closes with an appeal
for extension of the benefits of mod
| ern medicine and sanitation to the
scattered populations of the rural dis
| tricts.
| Much to be Done
"A vast deal remains to be done,'
it says, ito control such pests as
mosquitoes and the hookworm, to
eliminate the sources of typhoid fever
and. even more. to give the country