Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-02
EDWARDS, OF NEW JERSEY.
VOICES ONLY DlSSENSIOH
Situation Acute, Alarming and
Tragic" Faces Planters
Of Country.
soUTHERNERs ARE FOREMOST
Harding, nf Iowa, Says Cities in
Ills State Arc "Within ~
Hours of Starvation.
tby Associated press. /!

HARRISBURG PA. Dec. l.-Gov-
sc1tinG more than half the States Of
the Union. voted al their annual con
ference here today 10 begin an in
Guiry into what was variously called
tho acute, alarming and tragic"
situation facing farmers of the coun-
try. with u view TO recommending
Federal Legislation to assis, them.
AZ first step toward carrying out
their plan. which was suggested by
Governor Harding, OF Iowa the con
. ference appointed committee CON
sistinH Of Governors Harding, Bick-
EFT. Of North Carolina; Iiolcomb. OF
! Connecticut. Parker. Of louisiana.
and Goodrich, of Indiana, TO make a
preliminary survey and report back
before the conclusion Of the cpn-
ference. AfteI that IL Is coniem
plated 10 send the committee 10
Washington 10 urge legislation he
fore Congress. which convcncs this
month.
Object Without Parallel.
The object of the State executives.
which is said TO be without parallel
in the history OF American govern
mcnt, ls for the organization Of Gov
erncrs 10 suIecs, to Congress and
actively advocate passage of l-eis-
iation necessary 10 refund the debt :
OF farmers who asc pinchcd by fall
ing markets with heavy stocks OF
n
give them a year or more in which
10 rccoup losses and wal, for :,
strengthening market IL Is pro-
posed 10 do this through extension
or adaption Of the Fedora. reserve
system
y second proposal. also scheduled
TO receive consideration by the com
mittec. is another by Governor Hard
ing that a foreign trade corporation
be formed to finance purchases OF
American farm products by foreign
countries. unable to present lack OF
funds. to come into the America n
market.
According to Governor Harding IS
suggestions. Governor BIckett intro
duccd resolution providing FOR Il
permanent committee To act under
take the propositions up with Com
grcss direct. This motion received a
second ard was about to be voted
upon when it was objected that -.
Constitution OF the Governors coa-
ference forbade formal resolutions o.
action of the sort. AT this Governor
Sproul. OF Pennsylvania. pointed out
that no such formal action was neces-
sary, and at the call Of Governor
Bambcrger. OF Utah. who presided. a
vote was taken on the suggestion to
appoint the committee Informally
Samc Committee informally.
Appreciation OF the Governors was
overwhelming. One voice. that OF
Governor Edwards. of New Jersey.
was raised in objection. The eastern
executive. who is II banker. said he
thought Federal Legislation such as
is contemplated by his colleagues
would be cconimicale wrong. Con-
ditions should he left TO adjust them
selves. he declared.
Apprehension regarding agricul-
tural and Industrial conditions
throughout the country characterized
most of the expression by the speak
ers today.
Several States. represented by their
chief executives OR Governors elect,
were reported in n condition avcrag-
ing on the extremely critical. while
spokesmen for most OF the others as
scnted to the general proposition that
there is genuine cause for alarm in
the outlook.
Conditions in Iowa, Governor Hard
ing said. menace the very existence
cf agricultural industry. He urged
on every State official the necessity
Of emergency legislation to protect
farmers from impending ruin.
.'Nyithin As Hours of StnrvntIon.''
Few people. nc said, realize the eX-
tent to which they are dependent upon
the farmers. Most cities he declared.
are within forty-e eight hours of star
yation."
The farmers, he warned, are fac
ing conditions under which they will
/, he unable to supply cities with ne
/" cessitles of life.
Production OF foodstums| will pos-
ltiVely cease In tho Mississippi VAL
ley within the next two years II bet :
tor conditions are not quickly brought
tGontinued on Second Page)
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