The Washington herald., 1920-03-04
PICK
Iowa Man Elected to Head
Permanent Organi-
zation.
EXPERTS ARE SOUGHT
Officers Perfecting Ar.
rangements to Press De-
mands on Washington.
CBy a star Correspondent.)

Chicago, March 3-An Iowa.
farmer, with the highest salary
ever paid an officer Of an agricul-
tural organization. was elected to
head the American Farm Bureau
Federation. which was permanently
organized here today.
The new head of the federation
Is James r. Howard. owner Of $50
acres of land near Clemons. Iowa.
Besides knowing all about farm
ing. he is a graduate from Penn
College. oskaloosa, Iowa, and
studied at the University Of Chi
cago. also having taught railroads
and banking At Guilford College,
Raleigh, N. c.
Effecting q permanent organiza-
tion was the principal business of
the day, although the delegates
gave evidence by speeches, debates
and resolution that they were ready
to tackle the vital problems. not
only confronting them but the
country. That they were conserva-
tive was shown by invitations to
DIR. True, of the States Relation
Service Of the Department of Agri-
culture at Washington, and Thomas
f. Wilson, the Chicago packer. to
address them.
Experts VIII be Employed.
That they were progressive they
proved when the question of salary
for the president came up. The
executive committee had recon-
mended a salary of $4,000 a year.
This created a lively debate, mostly
over the procedure Of appropriating
it. but the discussion brought out
the fact that aside from members
apologizing for the smallness OF It
the plan was made public that the
federation expects to employ experts
regardless of cost, experts who Will
be more than a match for any that
may be employed by either the gov
ernment or private corporations.
Although hardly warm in their
seats, it was made plain from the
first that the farmer means to have
his rights. Backed by an individual
membership at present OF 1,o6o,ooo
covering the entire country, Con-
gress especially will hear from the
new organization.
The adm - istration will also dis
cover that a powerful factor in the
economic life of the country has
it's being IL the plans proposed are
adopted.
Backs International Congress.
For one thing. the federation
wants an international congress OF
farmers convened at the earliest
possible moment. A resolution call
ed for negotiations with the inter
national institute at Rome as well
as for cooperation with the far
mers' organizations in France, Eng
| land, ireland, Belgium and Canada
At the same time, IL declared
against the importation OF dairy
products. especially from foreign
countries, as tending to lower the
cost to such an extent that the far-
mer here Swill be unable to make
both ends meet.
The international conference
would consider the world food sup
ply. international market reports
| international trade reports anecune
agriculture and worldwide PROB
lens.
| One resolution called for Fed
eral bill legalizing collective bar
gaining among producers of agri'
cultural products. Another Favored
Legislation which would prevent
strikes, Iockouts or any unnecessary
interference with industries.
Still another demanded a simpli'
fed income tax schedule and wifi
IL a revision of the law as it affect:
! farmers.
%
All the resolutions, the question
of salary and the place for th'
national headquarters were left t.
the night session. which did no
convene until late in the evening
The election of secretary was alst
postponed, although 8. l. Strivings
CASTLE, N. Y, temporary vice presi
dent, was elected permanently a
the time President Howard wal
chosen.
In speeches by Howard ant
Strivings the point was emphasized
that the farmer and the country are
facing a serious situation in de-
creased production and scarcity o.
labor. Both officers, however, con
tended that the farmers of tn,
country are ready. not only to dC
their share. but to go the limit IL
order that the country and tn,
world might have food. However
the fact that the shares of agricul
ture in the Congressional appro
priations only amounted to 81 IL
$133 was deprecated as unfair.
Plan Descent on Capitol.
Congress. however, will hear abou
appropriations and other subject.
as soon as the convention is foot
loose, as at the request of Secre
tary of Agriculture Meredith,
committee from the federation will
descend upon Congress and let Il
know that IL Is alive.
In the first session today twenty
eight States were represented. thes,
being Utah, Vermont, Missouri
Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Kan
sas, Texas, West Virginia, New
York. Iowa, Wyoming, California
Illinois, New Jersey. Nebraska, Geor
gia, Colorado, Oklahoma, Idaho
South Dakota, Massachusetts,, Min
nesota, Ohio, Arizona. New Hamp
shire, Maryland and Connecticut.
The convention will last over to
day and possibly tomorrow.