Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-03
The Farmer Must Have Helm

nlT of the conference OF Governors may
~ grow definite, practical plan to save
Americas agricultural interests from the
disaster which seems about to ovcrwhelm
them. But If nothing more is accomplished
than TO focus the att .ntion OF the country
on the plight of the farmers anu to stir
Congress to u thoughtful, sympathetic con-
stderation OF their troubles. with workable
legislation To alleviate them, its dclibera-
lions will have been well worth while
Months ago. Governor Davis, OF Virginia
urged upon President Wilson steps for tho
protection OF the basic food industry. and
The Times-Dispatch repeatedly has pre-
scnted the alarming conditions on the
farms. Agricultural organizations have APP
peared i'll Washington appealing for meas
urcs Ut the hands OF the. Federal Reserve
board and the Treasury Department which
would tide them over the crisis, and they
have had the support OF many Senators and
Representatives who sought a sufficient OK
pansion of banking credits to relieve eco
nomic conditions which virtually have
ruined thousands OF farmers and cost all
OF them fair return upon their crops
The answer which was made then and is
made now Is that the administration il
without authority to extend the credits
which the farmers need to enable them TO
hold their products for better markets. The
law as 1t stands does not contemplate farm
ing cSigencics as they have recently de-
rcl0ped. The Federal Reserve Board can
discount only commercial paper, the char
acter OF which is defined in the enactment
itself. while the Farm Loan Board now lied
up III the courts. can deal only in real cs-
tate.
Armament OF Governor Edwards, OF New
Jersey. thai conditions should be left to
work themselves ont is not basically sound
,,oll,
right themselves. As machnery. fertilizer
ana other items. more especially labor.
which enter into food production. rocede
FROM their wartime levels the farmer will
get back To his normal. prosperous basis.
nut what of the tens OF thousands discour-
aged and ruined while this economical adj
Justmcnt is under way? Agriculture was
worked at high tension and under artificial
stimulus during the war. and now with the
stimulus removed, the country dare not
leave ii TO its own devices to work out its
own salvation several years hence
The time is at hand when Congress.
"hich seems to he the only body that has
p"%er to rescue this vital industry from It's
rredicamcnt. should act The Agricultural
committees OF the Senate and House al
ready are considering proposals to that end.
and farmers and theic spokcsmen are aga in
III Washington to lay the facts before the
national Legislators Out OF this new series
81 conferences cuncrct. plans of action pnr-
laps will develop
IL /" highly important from every point
OF view that The farmers themselves agree
upon 4 nthhllt program, and that they be
Prcparti 10 advocate and defend il before
me country. The people at large are not
only Wiling and eager To grant such ac-
COMMUNICATION 10 the agricultural industry
;is may he needed but they are coming 10
Tea!iZc the imperative necessity OF doing
so They wan the farmer TO lave n rea-
Sohabic pront on all that 10 has raised or
snail raise In the future. but they feel that
NE interests most concerned should out
I'm" what they need and be- able To shUw
concluSivc!y that il is consonant with the
national welfare
IT III" moment. in addition To the sug-
t"St"d organization 10 finance foreign trade
i'll American farm products. what seems the
most feasible plan under consideration is
AN ovcrhaniing OF the land bank system TO
enable II To provide credit to the farmer
upon MS produce, and perhaps. his ma
ciIHcf!' ms would make il possible for
h'i" 10 withhold his crops from the market
io' reasonable period Such loans as have
becn suggested might be limited to four mr.
SIX months, To the end that boarding of
farm products on the purt Of the farmer
boarding on the par, OF the middlcmnn is
barred
Ii practical ana reasonable legislative
program is evolved now, Congress- mivr,
very properly act upon it at the short yes
sion, without waiting for tho longer eos
sion which MIR. Harding Is expected 10 caIl