Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-09-08
HARDING PROMISES AID
TO FARMERS IN TALK
(contInued from page 1l

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highest type of civilization-or
whether we shall continue TO exploit
our agricultural resources for the
benefit of our industrial n COM
mercial life, and leave to posterlty
the task of finding food enough, b.
strong-arm methods, IL necessary, TO
support the coming hundreds of mil
lions. 1 believe in the s~elf-sustain-
ing. independent, self-reliant nation,
agr~iculturally. industrially and polit-
ically. We are then the ~guarantors
of our own security and are equal To
the task.
Other Alternative an Unhappy One.
IF we should unhappily choose n
course of industrial and commercial
promotion at the expense of agricul-
ture. cities will continue to grow at
the of the rural community.
agriculture. will inevitably break
down and finally destroy the finest
rural civilization, with the greatest
possibilities, the world has ever
seen. Decreased farm production
will make dear food and we shall be
| Obliged to send our ships to far
away nations in search of cheap food
stuffs. the importation of which Is
sure to intensity agricultural dis
couragement and distress at home.
Ultimately there will come the same
fatal breakdown. and>from the same
causes. which has destroyed the
great civilizations of centuries past.
Our Business Not To Destroy.
"It is more than conceivable, 1t is
apparent, that we are able to deal
more wisely and more justly with
our agriculture than we have In the
past. Unless we do deal more fair
lly there may come a conflict be-
tween the organized farmers in the
surplus producing states and those
who insist on buying their crops be-
low production costs. We have
witnessed the restricted production
of manufacturers and of labor. but
we have not yet experienced the in
tentionally restricted production OF
foodstuffs. Let us hope We never
may. 1t is our business to produce
and conserve, not to deny, deprive
or destroy.
IT have no thought of suggesting
that the government should work
out an elaborate system of agricul-
ture and then try to impose it on the
farmers of the country. That would
be utterly repugnant to American
ideals.
Some Of the things which ought
to be done, if we are to put our ag-
riculture on a sound foundation
have been mentioned in the national
platform of the party to whose
pledges I am committed.
Farm Representation.
First, the need of farm represen-
| tation in larger governmental affairs
is recognized.
Second, the right of farmers t.
form cooperative associations fol
the marketing of their products
must be granted.
Third, the Republican party
pledges itself to a scientific study o.
agricultural prices and farm produc'
ton costs, both at home and abroad
with a view to reducing the fire.
quency of abnormal f1uctuationi
here.
Fourth, we promise to put an enc
to Unnecessary price-fixing of farm
products and to ill-considered efforts
arbitrarily to reduce farm produc
prices.
fifth, we favor the administra
ton of the farm loan act so as Il
help men who farm to secure farm
of their own, and to give to then
longtime credits needed to practices
the best methods Of diversified farm
, ing.
sixth, we do not longer recognize
the right to speculative profit in tn
( operation of our transportation sys
tenn, but we are pledged to restor'
them to the highest state of eff
cheney as quickly as possible.
Seventh, we are pledged to tn
:. revision of the tariff as soon as con
ditions shall make 1t necessary TO
the preservation of the home mai
ket for American labor. America
agriculture and American industry.