The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-04-02
CALLS FARMER
BACKBONE OF:
OUR COUNTRY
Leonard Wood Gives Views on Agrl-
cultural Situation and Problems
That Will Make Him Many
Friends Among the Tlllers
Of the Soil.

Of the Soil.
| That the farmer Is the backbone OF
he nation and that the nation should
foster him and his profession for its
own good is the belief of General
Leonard Wood, Republican candidate
for the presidency, in a letter to Fred
l.. Woodwork, Michigan food and
drug commissioner.
| The letter, in answer to one from
Mr.. woodwork, asking the general
how he felt regarding the farmer, fol-
lows in part:
my dear Mr.. Woodworth | am
glad to give my views about the farm
er and his problems because l recog-
nize that the decline in agriculture is
one OF the greatest dangers to our CIV
ilization.
Agriculture is declining in Amer
lea. There, is too much fiocking to
the cities. The drop In agricultural
development must not be allowed to
continue. We must continue to be
self-supporting nation. If we cease
to the extent that we have to import
food, we shall be Immediately con-
fronted with the need Of strengthen
ing our military and naval policy.
THE farmers Of America rendered
magnificent service in producing, I'M
der every sort OF handicap, food sup
plies necessary to win the war. They
sent their sons to war and In spite Of
the shortage Of labor, they tremend-
Had they not done SO it would have
been impossible for US to have taken
In the war the part we did.
Third of Population.
1.-THE farmers make up full third
of our population, and the welfare
Of the nation is bound up with theirs,
yet the benefits of modern civilization
have not been extended to our rural
communities In any such measure as
they have right to demand.
"They have a right to expect de-
partment of agriculture, working in
full and intelligent cooperation with
them. They deserve the results of
thorough and intelligent study as to
the cost Of farm products at home and
abroad.
81 believe in a far larger measure of
direct dealing between producers and
consumers. They must be brought
closer together and made to realize
the necessity of cooperation. Today
altogether too small a portion OF the
consumers dollar gets back TO the
farmer.
while the storage of food supplies
is absolutely necessary to feed our
people the year around, the cornering
Of food supplies should be severely
and vigorously suppressed.
Credit for Farmers.
Secure provision should be made
to enable farmers to obtain adequate
credit so as to extend the agriculture
interests Of our country. Steps should
be taken to increase the production
of necessary fertilizers to assure an
adequate supply.
81 believe in the gradual abolition Of
farm tenancy. We want tn maintain
the traditional type Of farmer. We
don't want to see our farms fall into
the hands Of large land owners. This
can be accomplished If we improve
the farmers living conditions, COM
munications, educational facilities and
opportunities.
THE man who owns the land and
tils 1t is the man who stands for good
government, conservation and the
rights of property. The red flag never
flies over the house Of farmer.
Would Extend Bureau System.
81 believe in a wide extension Of the
present Farm Bureau System. which,
| in cooperation with the various state
agricultural departments and local
committees, seems we'll fitted to solve
many Of the economic problems con-
fronting the farmer. All this to be
done under the expert advice, guild
ance and assistance Of the govern
ment.
lone of the great problems con-
| fronting us today is not only to keep
Up but to increase our agricultural pop
ulation. We are now self-sus ain
ing nation, largely because of our ag-
riculture, the great sources Of original
wealth. The moment the output Of
our farmers falls below the demands
of our people, new and grave problems
will confront us. In order to keep up
increasing interest in agriculture we
must give heed to existing conditions
and take steps to meet them
| very sincerely yours,