New-York tribune., 1921-03-20

it challenges the best thought of the
entire nation. To correct it and bring
relief to about 40 per cent of the pop
ulation of the country is the goal Sec
retary of Agriculture Henry C. Wal
lace has set for his administration Of
that important department.
Mr.. Wallace comes from the central
West--the region in which is produced
our great surplus crops-and knows
precisely what has happened to the
farmers and the finest rural civiliza-
tion the world has ever seen. Their
needs arc at his finger tips.
Sitting in his Office in the original
red brick building that once housed
the entire Department of Agriculture
but which is now but the center of a
great group Of modern granitc-faccd
structures, Secretary Wallace, power
full and capable looking man, with the
ruddy glow of outdoor living on his
cheeks, described in strong terms the
conditions facing the farmers.
An understanding of the work of the
department is only apparent, he said,
after an understanding of the agricul-
tural situation in general. This under
standing, he declared, must ). ~, h'a,. fp-
preached from two angles--pres ~ 80, = <
usual conditions and, second, conditions
which may develop in the future.
People of the eastern part of the
country do not fully realize how severe
arc the financial losses being suffered
by the farmers, particularly in the
South and West, he continued.
"The cotton farmers of the South,
the rice farmers, the cattle and sheep
growers of the far West, the fruit
same valley of discouragement and
financial stress he said
Asks Farmers Crisis
Be Taken Seriously
"Those not familiar with agriculture
find it hard to understand the situation
and they refuse to believe the depres-
sion is as serious as it really is They
point to the high value of our land,
to the high prices at which farm prod
ucts were selling prior to this heavy
drop, to the large number of automo-
biles owned by farmers, to the appar-
ent wealth and comfort on every side;
and they refuse to take seriously what
the farmers say concerning their
troubles"
Taking up the causes of the wide
spread agricultural depression, Mr..
Wallace said the two big factors are
the high cost Of production last year
and the fact that prices of farm prod
ucts have dropped out Of all proper
tion to other prices and to the cost of
production.
Including all the factors which prop
erly enter into production cost, it is
found, said Secretary Wallace, that the
cost of producing bushel of corn in
Iowa, the greatest corn state, was more
than 80 cents.
Mr.. Wallace estimated that OF the
things the farmer must buy, wages Of
farm hands are about 100 per cent
above the pre-war normal, railroad
rates from 70 to, 80 per cent above
pre-war normal, while basic commodi-
ties, such as pig iron, coke, petroleum
and lumber are from 100 to 200 per
cent higher than the pre-war normal.
In other words" he declared. s'whiIe
the farmer is selling the things he pro-
duces at prices no higher, and, for
great surplus crops, lower than the
pre-war normal, he must buy practi-
cally everything he needs at prices
from 80 to $50 per cent above the pre-
war normal. The severe agricultural
depression is inevitable as long as such
condition exists, and this depression
will certainly be communicated to in
dustry and business generally.
Deplores Idealistic
Schemes of Diplomacy
If our statesmen had given more
thought to getting the world back on
sound economic basis, and perhaps had
spent less time on idealistic schemes
and theories, they would have rendered
q greater contribution to the peace and
orderliness and happiness Of the peo-
pie of the earth.
Now, as to this present situation,
surely the duty of the Depa rtmerlt Of
Agriculture is evident. We should do
everything possible to find an outlet
for this great food surplus. We should
search for ways to produce more
chsaply. Our scientific men should trv
to find new uses for our surplus crops.
We should help develop more Ell Z
cient marketing .systAns, straighten-
ing curves and lowering the grades be-
tween the producer and the consumer.
It is a time for every man who can
help to take hold. !.
We cannot hope to reach normal
conditions until we arrive on price
level which will be fair to all our peo
pie and all products. Farm products