South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-06
ASSIST FARMERS
BY CROP REPORTS
Plan of SeC'y of Agriculture
to Aid Production Frowned
On by 6. 0. P. ese
BY JOHN !. CARSON.

~ -AarA "A NJ tI-Hr AHtNls Ahe4Af-k I'D
mat full and accurate reports re-
sarding crops. farm SURPRISES. num-
Ger Of live stock and acreage is or
benefit 90 the entire country. the de
s-rtment OF agriculture will ask CON
sress 10 appropriate additional
'unds for the broadening of its
census.
Sec'y David T. Houston asserts
hat the time has arrived for an eX-
ension OF the work Of the bureau
n crop estimates and IL congress
uill provide the funds he will i'm
mediately put into effect an enlarged
Program.
What class Of estimates viii come
uder the ban of the republican
house was not indicated when Rep.
Mondeu. the @. O l.. floor leader.
recently made a speech threatening
that appropriations for the next year
would be cut "to the point OF parsi-
nony." In an attempt 20 put the
republicans before the country as
the saviors Of public funds. NlT. Mon
dell spoke az great length on eco
uomv" but did not refer 10 the fail
ure Of the republican congress TO
enact constructive legislation for the
construction period. nor did ne
mention the republican row over
tariff and revenue bills The presi-
dents recommendation that certain
tariff legislation be enacted 10 pre-
vent the dumping OF cheap foreign
goods on American markets was also
sfde-stcpped by the floor leaders Of
The controlling party an the house.
Would he OF Great Value.
Insisting. however, that IL would
Toe OF pubic benefit 10 strengthen the
crop estimate work of the depart
mcut Of agriculture. Sec'y Houston
win cudcavor TO persuade congress
To- provide fairly for this bureau.
ibid one over stop 90 think how
many classes of people are benefited
10y dependable information on acre
- 60. crop Yield, number OF live stock.
farm SURPRISES and the like?" asks
.-cc'v Houston "Such estimates, OF
course. are Of tremendous impor-
lance to the millions Of people inter
s-tcd iu rural life. but they are equal
fv important 10 manufacturers and
business men who supply farmers
with equipment and machinery, so
banks that furnish funds for financ-
5nr crop production and movement
and 10 transportation companies. ="
I'm seeking additional funds from
congress. the department Of agri-
culture announces that it's purpose Is
to establish intimate cooperative re-
Iafions with state departments Of
agriculturc and state assessors. So
curing greater accuracy and reduc-
,ue expense both TO the nation and
Tho state
If the enlarged program is APP
prov ed. says the secretary, the
bureau will be in position 90 report
llv the nation MS a whole. for each
state. and for each county monthly
cr oftcncr " necessary.
The expenditure OF money for the
. execution Of this program viii clear
Is he an investment which should
10 made without delay in order that
agricultural 1nd business interests
I,uy have the benefit Of the improved
service during the period OF read
fustmCnt II should be born I'm mind
also that the proposals are i'm no
sense experimental. Their feasibility
and practical value have been fully
demonstrated"
Interested In Live stock.
The department of agriculture in
tends that one OF the most impor-
tant features of the enlarged pro-
gram shall be that relating 10 relia-
ble information on the subject OF
live stock To estimates that live
stock represents not only a farm
investment OF ten billion dollars. but
also constitutes the meat supply OF
The nation, considerable portion OF
the EXPORT trade. a very important
factor OF successful farm manage
1leut ard economy and SO percent OF
al farm trades"
Discussing its importance further
~ee'y Houston observes:
Yet for this important industry
our bureau. with its inadequate faci-
ties. has been able 20 estimate. once
wear only the gross number OF
animals on farms. the number OF
brood sows and the total losses from
disease and exposure.
mo attempt has been made in the
past 10 estimate dairy and poultry
production between censuses. the an
uual valre Of which amounts TO ap-
proximateIy three billion dollars
The great losses occurring yearly
f-Om drought and feed shortage in
portions OF the great plains and in
nited areas of other sections might
To- a considerable extent. be reduced
los having Definite and detailed in
formation regarding the feed situa-
tIou."