Evening star., 1920-02-29
Mr.. HOOVERPO|NTS
! TOFARM|NG NEEDS
Problem of Keeping Pace
} With Industry Discussed
, Before Engineers.

CHICAGO. February IS tby the
Associated ess).-Development OF
agriculture ito keep pace with the
development of industry is one of
the greatest reconstruction problems
facing the country. Herbert Hoover
declared here tonight in an address
before the Western Society of En-
Einee. =. Industries are drawing work :
ers from the farms. he pointed out.
and II we should develop our exports
of Industrial products during the next
five years as rapidly as we have dur
ing the last five years we shall by
that time be faced with the neces-
eity Of importing foodstufs.
The problem Is more than an eco
nomic one. he asserted because from
dependence on overseas supplies for
food We will be concerned about
their safety and find ourselves dis
cussing the domination of the seas.
Our International relations will be-
come more difficult. he said. and, un-
less the league of nations serves its
ideal, we will need to burden our
selves with greater taxation. mann
tain great military and naval forces
and imperil the development OF our
national life, which rests In the
spirit Of our farms and surrounds
our villages"
Great as is the need for construc-
tive thought and action in regard to
the weakness of our Industrial rela-
tions he said 1.-The need for similar
thought and similar activity is still
greater with regard to agriculture.
The Agricultural industry. he ex-
planned, must be made economically
attractive. This can be accom- mplished.
he declared, by remedying the de-
fecto In our transportation and dis
tributing systems.
Measures which he advocated to
bring this about include the develop
ment Of the waterways from the
great lakes to the Adriatfc; replace
ment Of special control of refriger-
ator cars, stockyards and elevators by
''conetructive public service" govern
ment regulation of the "over swollen
units" Of the produce business to pro.
vide free competitions; cooperative
marketing; reduction in imitation.
which he believes will lessen the ex-
ce0sive number of persons engaged
in Food distribution; Standardization
of products; exhaustive investigation
into our great national boards OF
trade, with q view to extending their
legitimate functions or preventing
their abuse" and development of me-
chanical agricultural equipment.
Waterway Development.
Mr.. Hoover expressed the belief that
the development of the great lakes
waterways would remove a consider
able portion OF the peak load on the
trunk line railways during the crop
of cars causes increased prices. and
md employment for the great .mer.
cnntile deet which we have created II
the development was carried out. He
estimated that the saving In the
transpertation Of grain would be or
cents . bushel
when concerns engaged in the man-
ufacture and sale Of produce reach
euch dimensions that they "can In
fluence prices or dominate public AZ
fairy. either with deliberation or IN
nocence." he said. they should he
Nr. Hoover. declared that he was op.
posed TO .gevernmsnt ownership, and
oppressed the belief that the test to
be applied to determine whether reg
ulation was necessary should be not
the sfxe Of the Institution or the vol
TIE 15foportion' OF the commodity lhat
g controls in its operations.
ChllinG attention to credit imitation.
he declared that "if we have wise
and steady reduction In Imitation, 1t
VIII be, =. skillfpi dealer who escapes !:
THIS denAtion.. he explained. should
- maAe progressively and with care.
IL order that there shall be no sud
6eu breaks, with their resulting de-
moraiization, unemployment and mis-
ory. -. ..-s-'
WaehsnGloA AvtaRas made.
On rbehalf OF several engineering So
eiettep the Washington award was
pres1hfs6 tonight TO Mr.. Hoover for
conapicuous services a. federal food
administrator ana director Of Euro
Dean relief.
Nr. Hoover - the first recipient Of
the. award, which was founded In
lSI& by John w. Alvord, q member
81 lie western Society Of Engineers.
TO - presented to the engineer who
s.best uses his professional skill and