New-York tribune., 1920-02-10
Wood Favors
Abolition of
Farm Tenancy
General Opposes Absorption
of Land Workers by Big
Holders to the Detrilnent
of Agricultural Interests
Advocates Many Reforms
Favors Larger Measure of
Direct Dealing Between
Producer and Consumer

| Major General Leonard Wood, in Z
letter to Clifford Pinchot made public
here yesterday, declares for educa-
tional advantages for the farmers equal
to those of the dwellers in the city;
for larger measure Of direct dealing
between producers and consumers; for
the gradual abolition Of farm ten
ancy, and for the maintenance of the
traditional type Of farmer. the man
letter follows:
THANK you for your good letter of
the 10th.
~ am glad to give. you my views
about the farmer and his problems,
have them as member Of the Ma
tional Committee of Farm Organiza-
tions, but because recognize that the
decline In agriculture is one of the
grestest dangers to our civilization.
eve must have food! Agriculture is
declining In America. There is too
much fiocking to the cities. The drop
in agricultural production, compared
with the population in the number of
people who live and work on arms and
in the fertility Of our soils, cannot be
"The farmers of America rendered
magnificent service in producing un-
der every sort of handicap, food sup
plies necessary to win the war. to feed
not oply US but very largely our Allies.
They sent their sons to war, and in spite
of the shortage of labor by dint of in
creased effort they tremendously in
creased the output Of food in this coun-
try. Had they not done 50 it would
have been impossible for US to have
taken our part in the war as we did.
| They feel that their service was not
adequately recognized.
Urges Training for Farm Life
THE farmers make up full third
OF our population, and the welfare of
! the nation is practically bound up
with theirs, yet the benefits of modern
civilization have not been extended to
our rural communities in. any such
measure IS they have a right to de-
mand.
Education for farm children should
be universally accessible and special
efforts should be made toward training
for life on the farm. If we are TO
keep up record OF training equivalent
TO our progress we should see that they
are given substantial equality with
| those of other callings in social. DO
lit;cal and educational opportunities.
We must see that the schools arc up TO
| the standards of the city schools and
that there are suitable and abundant
roads and other lines of transporta-
ton. We want their SURROUNDINGS to
be as attractive as possible.
| II know that you believe with me
that every sound and normal man and
woman should have fair and work
able chance to earn living and to re-
ceive what they earn; fair and
workable chance for a decent, useful
and desirable life, with a chance to
marry and support a family and give
the children reasonable opportunity
| for a reasonable start.
While these things relate no more
to the farmer than they do to other
citizens, they are so Important that I
am glad to state them in this letter
"The farmers have a right to expec,
from every national admin istration 9
Department of Agriculture in full anG
Intelligent cooperation with the farm.
ers and the great farm organizations
OF America. They deserve to be give.
the results of thorough and intclliren,
stYdy as to The cost o! farm products
at home and abroad, and should be
furnished the. uacensored facts.
Would Punish Food Hoarders
az believe in far larger measure o,
direct dealing between producers ane
consumers Of food. To-day altogethe
too small portion of the consumer
dollar gets back to the farmer. Whor
tie farmer sells his milk in bulk Co.
six cents and finds it retailing at |,
few hours later he realizes that h,
IS not receiving his proper share O
the proceeds of his product.
while the storage Of food supple
is absolutely necessary to feed ou
people,. since crops are not produce,
throughout the year, the harding
food supplies should be severel,
punished and vigorously suppressed.
Secure provision should be made t,
enable farmers to obtain adeouat,
credit so as to extend the farnlin,
interests of our country. Steps should
n be taken to increase the production O.
necessary fertilizers so that the farne
may never Sbe without an adequat,
supply. Steps should be taken look
ing to the increased production O.
nitrates.
Il believe that the treatment of CO.
operative organizations of farmer!
should he with the same consideration
as to other organizations under the
same circumstances.
Il believe in the gradual abolition Of
farm tenancy. In our country thu