Evening star., 1921-12-31
PRESIDENT ACTS
TO AID FARMERS
Authorizes Call for Confer
ence to Consider Measures
to Relieve Depression.

to Relieve Depression.
Decisive steps have been taken by
President Harding to bring relief to
| the American farmers, who, accorS-
ing to the administration, have for
many months been hard pressed.
principally as result of enforced
defation.
By his direction. Henry c. Wallace.
secvretary OF Agriculture, is today
sending out call for a national
agricultural conference to consider
what corrective and constructive
steps can be taken to relieve the ex-
lsting depression in this industry.
This was made known late yesterday
afternoon when the White House
| made public a letter on the subject
written by the President to the Sec
| retary Of Agriculture
IT Is explained that this conference
VIII not be limited to agriculturiStS,
but will include representatives OF
important allied Industries. such AS
packers, millers, railways and water
carriers, implement manufacturers
exporters, commission merchants and
| middlemen.
Secretary's Statement.
Secretary Wallace said last night that
4
! been fixed nor a complete invitation list
; made up. 1t is expected, however that
| the conference will be held within a
| month and that. in addition to farmers
| ana Sthelr organizations. industries as
sociated directl and Indirectly with ag-
ricuiture Will be called on to assist in
the efforts to improve conditions. No
! one VIII pretend that the present condi-
tons could have been avoided. Presi-
dent Harding said in his letter TO th.
| Secretary, but none Of us is willing to
| agree that there ought not to be some
correct and constructive steps taken 10
remedy the severe hardship under which
so important a portion of our productive
lcltlzenship is struggling. ] am con-
Vinced that conference may be made
a very helpful agency in suggesting
practical ways of Improvement. partirur
iariy II brought in coordination with
| the help!ul investigation which has i;een
| begun by congressional commiss on
| committed TO a rela ted work"
President Makes Suggestion.
The President further suggested
that the conference might divide its
work into two sections, one for con-
lslderatlon of our present-day ditti-
iculties. which, though temporary. are
serious and need effective attention"
while the second could deal with "A
survey OF the future. in an effort tc
determine upon general policies"
| The letter in full follows:
My Dear Mr.. Secretary:
In harmony with our conversation
OF a few days ago, / am writing 10
ask you to call national conference
to consider the agricultural problems
or the American people. We are all
we'll aware of the severe agricultural
depression which exists throughout
the land and the extraordinary condi
tons which brought about the present
SITUATION NO one will pretend that
the present conditions could have been
laVoided, but none of us is willing to
lagree that there ought not be some
lcoTrecuFe and constructive steps
, taken to remedy the severe hard
ships under which so important a nor
lon OF our productive citizenship is
struggling. am convinced that a
conference may be made a very helm
ful agency in suggesting practical
ways OF Improvement, particularly if
orousht into coordination with tn.
Ihelpful investigation which has bee,
begun by the congressional commit
tee committed to a related work.
Division Into Two Parts.
Such a conference might divide itse
INTO two parts: One part to give con
! slderatlon to our present-day difficu!tie.
which, though temporary are serious
and need effective attention: the 9TH,
part. survey of the future in an effort
! 10 determine upon general policies hay
ing IN view the maintenance of prod,ic-
ton. the greatest possible use and al
the same time the conservation of our
agricultural resources, and the NOR
complete coordination of our agricuI-
tural, manufacturing and general bust
ness interests
1t seems reasonably certain that a.
the world comes out of the presen,
period OF diSorganiZation, this countr,
may find itself confronting new condi-
tions which may very directly influence
both our agricultural and industrial life
We should anticipate such changes and
(endeaNor TO prepare for them. 1t is un-
thlhhaele that with our vast areas. our
unparalleled endowment of agricultural
| resources, our fertility of soil our vas,
home market and the great ability and
resourcefulness Of our farmers we
should accept the status of distinctly
industrial nation. Our destiny seems to
'reQuire that we should be a we'll rounded
nation with high development of both
industry and agriculture. supporting one
another and prospering together Ii
must be. and i feel sure it is the ma
tional wish and purpose to maintain ou.
agriculture at the highest possible ef
ficiency.
Sees Closer UnderxtandinS.
1T is unquestioned that a confer
ence viii bring us to a clearer under
| standing of the problems before US !
i would like you to bring into the con-
ference not only the ablest represent
atlves of agricultural production
/ our great cOun-
try in the broadest possible way, but
| think much good would come il you
will include in the conference those
! who are engaged in industry most in
timately associated with agriculture.
1t will clarity our views if We NAV
! have present representatives of the
more important interests which are
closely related and dependent on agri-
culture. l trust these representatives
| will be invited. l must leave the
| makeup of the conference to your
| more intimate knowledge of those
who may confer most helpfully,, but
1 will be glad if you will Immediately
1 issue invitations so that both the
country and the government may
have the benefit of the earliest possi-
BILE suggestions which will come from
such a meeting.
| VERY truly yours
! "WARREN C HARDING"