The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-31
FARMS SPARLM
ORDERED FROM
WHITE HOUSE
Secretary Wallace to Call
Conference at Request
Of President.
CONDITIONS BAD
IN WHEAT BELT
Necessary to Find Means
To Avert Migration
From Farms.


remedies for the present agricul-
tural depression of the country.
This step will be taken at the re-
quest of President Harding. The
President yesterday addressed 70
Secretary Wallace a letter urgins
such a conference, which would fol-
low much the same procedure as the
recent assembly OF national figures
TO seek cures for the unemployment
\ pl oblem-
Feels Deep Concern.
Thst the President is deeply con-
kcerned because OF the critical situa-
tion in the agricultural industry has
been known for some time. Repre-
sentative. of the farmers have ap-
pealed to him to compel reduction
Of railway rates on farm products.
statistics have been furnished him
TO show that while the consumer
Is paying an enormous price for
farm products of every variety. the
farmer Is compelled to sell for much
less than the cost of production.
In the Northwest IL has been founc
cheaper to burn corn than coal.
The President has let it be known
udt he expects this conference to
be most complete. He desires that
every phase of the situation shall
carefully be examined. Among the
men wLo viii be invited to. come to
Washington and participate in the
conference --ill be officials Of every
farmers Organization, railway ex-
perts, cominlssion men. economists,
advocates of collective marketing
and representatives,, of labor and
capital.
Face Complete Ruin.
The President personally will as
xist in preparing the tentative pro-
grar- He will try to bring before
the gathering, and through Il to the
people Of the country. the necessity
OF preventing the complete ruin
of the farming interests OF the ma
. tion. He has made II plain to all
of his visitors who have talked
this subject over with him during
the last few days that the agricul-
tural interests of the country are
in the most critical stage in their
history. And If IL humanity is pos
sible he will try to have the coming
conference make constructive sug-
gestions as to a future program.
If legislation is needed the Presi-
dent personally will demand ii at
the hands of Congress.
The White House let il be known
last night that it hSped Secretary
wallace would be able to announce
the list of those invited to attend
not later than Monday. Invitations
to some went out by telegraph last
night.
Secretary Wallace announced.
following the receipt of the letter
that he would take steps to COM
ply at once with the Presidents re-
azr n
the date of the conference or the
names of those who will be re-
quested to take part.
Farmers Deeply in Debt.
In making this announcement
was in full accord with the Presi-
ference and the scope that IL would
cover.
President Harding's request fol-
lowed previous conversation with
the Secretary of Agriculture.
The depressing situation which
faces farmers throughout the Unit
ed States has engaged the deepest
consideration of President Hard
ing for some time past, ii was
learned yesterday. Persistent re-
ports. especially from the wheat
belt of the Northwest. paint condi-
tions in agricultural communities
as black. In some of these sections
the farmers seem to have settled
down under a weight of hopeless
ness for the future. are sinking
more deeply into debt, and looking
eagerly for some sort of ap indus
trial revival which will permit
them to obtain employment else
where and quit the land.
Job. for Thousands.
The results of the unemployment
conference. which at first faced an
almost hopeless outlook. have
proved highly satisfactory to the
administration. Through the pro-
cedure decided upon by the experts
assembled in Washington at that
time thousands OF jobs have been
opened in all parts Of the United
States. Although only a sudden
and almost miraculous business re-
vivai would have brought complete
relief to the situation, at the same
time the army of jobless has been
so diminished that the early win
ter is passing without serious hard
ship on any large scale.
II the same results can be OBJ
tained from the projected asrfcul-
turaf conference, II is felt In wash
ington, farmers will face the spring
planting with hope rather than de-
spafr. and any large migration
from the farming districts will be
ayerted.
Crops Fan to Meet Cost.
Few elements of the country's
population suffered more bitterly
In the grip Of economic depression
during the past six months than
| the farmers. Bumper crops in many
sections. which had been relied
upon to meet obligations incurred
during the prosperous era immedi-
ateiy preceding, proved unmarked
able or marketable at such low
prices that the cost Of production
was not met
5rain producers were especially
Ard hit Heavy sales of cotton
artiy relieved the depression In
me South. But although conditions
IN. the Middle West and Northwest
are especially serious at present,
Conditions which the farmer must
cs~tixssS on Pess TArss.