Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-12-12
worst PASSED
FOR FARMERS,
SAYS WALLACE
Secretary Of Agriculture Lays
Much Of Blame On Freight
Rates

WASHINGTON, December IL. -
lRv Associated Press. )-Freely and
frankly discussing the present plight
Of the American farmer, Secretary
Wallace tells the president in his first
annual report today that there
"seems to be good reasons for be-
lieving that the worst is over and
that we may reasonably hope for
gradual improvement from now on"
He adds that "a clear recognition of
the conditions as they exist should
help us to realize this hope"
In large part the troubles of the
farmer today are due to worldwide
conditions and the inevitable result
of the world war, the secretary of
agriculture says, adding that it is
not to be expected that by some mi
raculous transformation" the period
cf adversity may be turned over
right into period of prosperity.
High freight rates, big crops pro-
duced in the face of high costs, un-
employment in other industries in the
country with attendant lessening in
buying of foodstuffs; and the lack
of foreign markets for the farm sur
plus are given by the secretary as
the more immediate causes for pres
cnt conditions in agriculture. He lays
particular stress upon the lack of
foreign markets and high freight
rates.
Terrible Indictment.
at is terrible Indictment of mod
crn civilization," he asesrts, ''that
with such abundance here there are
millions of people overseas suffering
for the bare necessities and other
millions starving to death. And sure
ly we are sadly lacking in our un-
derStanding of economic laws or in
cur adjustment to them when the
productions of bounteous crops
grown by the hard labor of 13,000,,
coo farmers and farm workers and
their families Is permitted to play
such a large part in paralyzing our
industries and business at home"
Large advances in freight rates,
while bearable in time of high prices,
Mr.. Wallace says, if continued are
bound to involve remaking of the
American agricultural map.
THE simple process of marking
up the transportation cost a few
cents a hundred pounds" the secre-
tary writes, "has the same effect on
the surplus-producing state as pick
ing it up and setting it down 100 to
800 miles farther from the market.
Agriculture is depressed until the
rates are lowered or until population
and industry shift to meet this new
condition."
Handicap for Farmers.
With the heavy consuming popuIa-
tlon OF the country massed near the
eastern coast long distances from the
producing areas, Mr.. Wallace says,
substantial advances in the transpor-
tatlon costs have the effect of i'm
posing differential against Ameri-
can producers in favor of their COM
petltors ineforeign lands, particular
ly those to the South of this country.
who have the advantage of cheap
water transportation.
Inc agriculture secretary thinks
Vnat when the country finally emerg-
cs from the present condition it will
llnd itself at the beginning of a new
agricultural era, pointing the large
Increase IN the country's population
and the fact that most of the easily
cultivated land has been taken up. he
says the time is not far distant when
"ome needs will require practically
an that American farms produce in
the average years.
A