The Delta independent., 1919-12-26
STATE BANK OF AUSTIN

fellowship and advancement gave az
riculture its proper recognition in the
cabinet counsels Of the nation. Under
Secretary James Wilson, broad plans
were laid and constructive work was
done.
1t was the republican party that
sponsored and put into effect the
most important things that have been
done to help keep this country in the
forefront position which the virginity
of its soil. its variety of favorable
natural conditions for different kinds
of crops and the vastness Of its area
endowed it.
Potentially there is no other coun-
try on the face of the earth that had
such natural advantages as America
Our agricultural birth-right was
one of Incompatible richness.
What has become of It?
Notwithstanding the fact that ex-
penditures in the name of agriculture
have reached $33.0o0.000 a year. We
have been going backward, not for
ward-downward not upward
The area Of our foundation crops.
vast as 1t is, has been exploited and
our only salvatfno from the humilia
ton Of having to import farm prod
ucts lies in moro intelligent and more
thorough utilization Of the resources
at hand
Our average production of corn ID
"a bushels when Il could and aho,ld
be at least SO.
Why should Italy, France, the
United Kingdom and central Europe
produce and average Of 33 busheles Of
whhat when the United States only
gets a yield of IA bushels?
Why should we be content with
yeild Of one fourth Of the crop per
acre Of potatoes that other countries
produce?
3 Why is 1t that alfalfa yield in the
United States should have dropped
40 Per cent in two or three decades?
Among the reasons for this truly
alarming state Of affairs are the facts
that considerable as have been the
expenditures in the name Of agricul-
ture, the direction and administration
has been such that our agriculture IL
threatened with a, caIamitous decline.
Diseases have been allowed to in
oculate our soil or plants and our or
chards.
A political economist as the head
Of our agricultural department may
serve useful purpose, but he cannot
serve our basic industry as 1t should
and must be served II we ere not to
become hopelessly dependent. II not
agriculturally bankrupt.
It isn't the cost Of anything that
counts-it's the net results-the out
come.
While millions have been wasted
and worse than wasted in the name
Of agriculture, the few really great
and efficient men who are held In the
departments are sticking. not because
they couldn't go into. private business
and make from two to- ten times a.
much money. but from sheer love Of
and devotion to what they are doing.
The result is deplorably low aver.
age OF service for what til nation II
spending in the name Of agriculture.
Our good workers are scarcely able
to maintain themselves. Other great
Industries and commerce. seek first
the right men and pay according to
worth and results they can produce.
Our agricultural department should
be in position to draft freely the
greateet men In research and admin.
istrative ability and put in practical
asstmilable form the most advanced
methods known to the agricultural
| world.
The American farmer is as class
the sanest and most important mem
ber Of the nation. Although he num-
bers' 35 per cent OF the whole, no ia
not easily led into fantastic political
notions. He is little disposed to or.
ganize on a class basis, Economically.
his business Is .foundational. Politic.
ally, he is the balance wheel for the
national engine OF progress. Al such,
no class Of our citisenry IL entitled to
greater consideration. Farming rep.
resents the spring or fountain Of in.
dustriaI and social progress It fur.
nishes the material and the real pow
er for keeping every other branch Of
industiAl. economic and social prog
ress in health and vfgor.
! A keen recognition OF the power
character IAN deeds Of the American