The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1921-04-08
RELIEF IN SIGHT FOR FARMERS

Washington, April 2.-The War
Finance Corporation has issued a call
| for a conference here April 4 OF
Southern bankers to discuss methods
by which the expectation of Southern
agricultural products may best be
financed. Announcement of the con-
ference followed discussion of the
farmers, problemsl 80 hshnahinet to-
day after which it was said definite
plans for farmer relief probably soon
would be put forward.
Announcement of the conference
was confined to the bare statement
of the call and date. In the light of
the developments, however, IL was re-
garded as the first step by the new
administration looking to a solution
of the farmers difficulties.
Several other such meetings are
planned, it was stated. Secretary
Hoover expects soon to meet with
representatives of the agricultural
industry to talk over with them the
problems which beset their industry.
Leaders of several farmers organiza-
tions also are preparing to carry their
kit of problems to the White House
in the near future, probably before
Congress gets far into the work of
the extra session.
Officials of the finance corporation
desire, it was said, to explain to the
Southern bankers on whose shoul-
ders falls the burden of providing
funds for the export of cotton and
other products of the soil, just how
far the federal agency can go in sup
plying the money they seek.
The corporation already has ap-
proved a loan of $6,000,0OO for the
financing of shipments to States in
Central Europe and Secretary Mellen
has said that there was no objection
to loans on exports to Germany pro-
vided the finance corporation was
given good security by the exporting
houses.
There have been indications on
several occasions that the corpora
tion was ready to extend aid in ship |
ping to Czecho-Slovakia and Poland,
although a public statement to that |
effect has never been made. In these |
TWO countries exporters have re-
ported great opportunities for the
of cotton and other ex-
Southern products.
While there was no official express
sion tonight, it was apparently the
program of these officials having to
10 directly with the farming indus
ry to spread conferences over sew
,ral months, in which time repre-
;entatives from the various sections
If the country may be called here to
Zee what can be done for them. FL
lance corporation officials have said
everal times that the western and
middle western farmers must be CIV
N consideration soon. 1t apparent
Il was the concensus of opinion in
he cabinet discussion, however, that
he cotton interests should be the
lrst to receive attention.
The melting which Mr.. Hoover will
v was the concensus of opinion in
ormal and will seek to develop a
,rogram of cooperation within prac-
ical limits for the dispo5ition OF
rops. Some officials are said to fear
hat unless the farmers can be given
ssurance of a friendliness on the
art of the government in the mar
.eting of their products there will be
eductions in the acreage of all crops.
t was indicated that first-hand in
obtained in conferences
uch as those proposed by Mr.. Hoover
night suggest new methods OF domes~
ic handling and expectation of all
gricultural products. u