The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-12-03
PRICE DECLINES
FOREARM STUFF
MUST Be HALTED
Farmers Mobilize for a
Drive Against Further
Slump in Quotations
Which Will Spell Ruin.
. BY ROBERT FULLER.
Written Specially for The Tribune.

| The most important agricultural
convention ever called in this country
will be attended Dec. 6-7-8 at Indian
apolis, Ind, by men foremost in agri-
cultural activities, for the purpose of
solving some of the pressing problems
affecting the welfare of American
farmers.
Agriculture is going to the mat"
with present systems of distribution.
The recent decline of farm commod-
ity prices has brought about most
serious situation, both industrial and
agriculturally, which the American
Farm Bureau federation will attempt
to correct. The convention was called
by President J. R. Howard.
Invite Brains of Country.
The brains of the entire country
have been invited, including such fun
damental doors and thinkers as Her
bert Hoover. former food administra-
tor; Senator Arthur Cappcr of Kan.
sps; w. P. G. Harding, governor of
the federal reserve board; Secretary
of Agriculture F. T. Meredith; Clifford
Thorne, transportation expert; VIM.
Redfield, secretary of commerce and
labor; J. Ogden Armour, head of the
famous packing interests; Eugene
Davenport, dean of Illinois Agricul-
tural college; George E. Roberts. pres
ident of the National City bank, New
York; Secretary D. F. Houston. u.
S. treasury department, and others.
The problems to be considered are
the decline in price of wheat to $3.50
bushel or some IS cents bushel
below the cost of production; the de-
cline of corn TO 90 cents bushel when
the farmers say they would lose money
if they received 81 bushel; the de-
cline of cotton, which is now around
IS cents a pound, when it costs at
least Is cents pound to produce.
To Stabilize Farm Crop Prices.
Recently President, Howard called
on farmers to curtail their crop pro-
duction till prices should become more
or less stable on the basis of supply
and demand.
Recent declines in the price of farm
products averaged per cent Many
commodities declined more than lOO|
per cent.
1t will be clearinghouse of farm
troubles and for the first time will the
American Farm Bureau federation
show its full power as functioning
national organization.
Millions of bushels of wheat remain
unsold throughout the north and west.
In Iowa farmers are talking of burn
ing corn instead of coal this winter un-
less they receive more than 50 to col
cents bushel for their crop.
Throughout the south the cotton
growers are in bad shape.
To Consider Exporting.
The problem Of exporting cotton
and other farm commodities to coun-
tries in central Europe whose credit
has been practically wiped out by the
war, will be considered. II Germany
and Austria could be financed to the
extent of buying the low grade Ameri-
can cotton crop the south would re-
cover quickly. In the same way. If a
world market could be found for other
American farm commodities, the entire
nation would benefit.
Among the other problems which
the convention will undertake to solve
are the tariff; transportation: labor &C.
tivities; wage reductions: cooperative
marketing: collective bargaining; land
tenancy: credits and financing of
farmers.
The American Farm Bureau fedora
ton will represent more than 100000
farmer members from all over the
United States. 1t is the foremost
farmers cooperative movement in the