New-York tribune., 1921-12-31
Harding Calls
For Conference
OnAgricult.lre
lnstructs Secretary Wallace
to Bring Together, Per-
haps i'll January, the
Leading Farm Experts
10 Overcome Depression
Declares 1t Is Rational Wish
That Soil BE Held AS
Important as Factory
From Thc TribuneIs 1Fash.naton Bnrenu

From The Tribute's Wash.notoR Bnreuu
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30. - Actinr
under direction Of President Harding,
secretary Wallace, of the Department
of Agriculture, Tonight telegraphed in
vitations to prominent farmers and
leaders IN industries allied with farm
ing to national conference to con-
slider the agricultural needs of the
country
Secretary Wallace will announce
next week the names of those to whom
invitations have been extended The
conference will probably take place in
January. The President and the mem
oers of his Cabinet feel that a ma
tional conference of the nature out
lined Will go far toward remedying the
agricultural depression which exists.
President Harding thinks that such
conference might divide itself into
two parts-the first, to give considera
tlon to the difficulties to be surmounted
at present; and the second, to survey
the future, in an effort to determine
general policies Questions dealing with
credits, transportation and cooperative
marketing are only a few of the sub
Jects to be taken up.
Corrective Steps Needed
The President in letter to the Sec
retary of Agriculture sets forth in de-
tail his reasons for directing the call
ing of the proposed conference. It fol-
lows:
"My Dear Mr.. Secretary:
In harmony with cur conversation
of few days ago I am writing to ask
you to call a national conference to
consider the agricultural problems Of
the American people. We are all well
aware of the severe agricultural de
preston which exists throughout the
land and the extraordinary conditions
which brought about the present situ-
alton. No one will pretend that the
present conditions could have been
avoided, but none Of us is willing to
agree that there ought not be some
corrective and constructive steps taken
to remedy the severe hardships under
which so important a portion of our
productive citizenship is struggling
| | am convinced that a conference may
be made a very helpful agency in sug-
gesting practical ways of Improvement
particularly if brought into co-ordina-
tion with the helpful investigation
Cressional committee committed to q
related work.
"Such a conference might divide it.
self into two parts: One part TO give
consideration to our present-day diff
culties, which, though temporary, are
serious and need effective attention;
the other part, survey of the future
in an effort to determine upon general
policies, having in view the mainte-
nance of production, the greatest pos
sible use and at the same time the
sources, and the more complete CO.
ordination of our agricultural, manu-
featuring and general business in
terests
at seems reasonably certain that
as the world comes out of the present
period of disorganization, this country
may find itself confronting new condi-
tions which may very directly influence
Doth our agricultural and industrial
life. We should anticipate such
changes and endeavor to prepare for
them. 1t is unthinka bic that with our
vast areas, our unparalleled endow-
ment Of agricultural resources our fer
tillty Of SOIL our vast home market and
the great ability and resourcefulness
of our farmers, we should accept the
status OF a distinctly industrial nation
National Wish
Our destiny seems to require that
we should be well-rounded nation
With high development Of both in
dustry and agriculture, supporting one
another and prospering together. 1t
must be, and I feel sure it is, the ma
tional wish and purpose to naintsi in
our agriculture at the highest possible
efficiency.
at is unquestioned that confer
ence will bring us to a clearer under
standing of the problems before us.
would like you to bring into the con
! ference not only the ablest representa-.
tives of agricultural production, which
shall represent our great country in
the broadest possible way, but ! think
much good would come if you will in
clude IN the conference those who are
I engaged in industry most intimately
associated with agriculture. 1t will
clarity our views if we may have pres
/ ent representatives of the more i'm
portant interests which are closely re-
lated and dependent on agriculture.
/ trust these representatives will be in
vited must leave the makeup OF
the conference to your more intimate
knowledge of those who may confer
most helpfully but / will be glad il
you will Immediately issue invitations
so that both the country and the gov.
ernment may have the benefit of the
earliest possible suggestions which will
come from such meeting.
Very truly yours,
WARREN G. HARDING"