Evening star., 1922-01-23

Secretary Wallace and Members
of the Conferences:
1t is an occasion of the greatest
satisfaction to me that Secretary
Wallace's invitation has been SO
widely and cordially accepted.
confess the firm belief that in the
public life of people so intelli-
gent as the American nation most
problems may be regarded as well
On the way to solution when they
are once reduced to their simplest
terms and generally understood.
This conference was called with
the aim to bring about such a gen.
eral understanding Of the critical
situation now confronting Ameri-
can agriculture.
We all understand that this con-
ference is not legislative body.
Its recommendations will require
to be written into the statute
books by, other authorities or ap-
piled in, administration after sane
tion by those who must assume
responsibility. But we do conf
IDENTIFY anticipate that the consid-
erations. here had Will be helpful
and illuminating to those imme-
dfately responsible for the fofmu-
lation- Of public policy in dealing with
these problems. Therefore, it has
seemed to me, can make no more
appropriate observation than that
your work here will be Of value
precisely as you address yourselves
to the realities, the matters Of
fact, the understanding OF condi-
tions as they are, and the proposal
OF feasible and practicable methods
FOR dealing with those conditions
Concerning the grim reality Of
the present crisis IN agriculture,
there can be no differences Of opin-
ion among Informed people. The
depressions and disbursements
are not peculiar to agriculture.
and l think it fair to say there
could have been no avoidance of a
great slump from wartime ex-
cesses to the harships of readjust-
ment. We can have no helpful un-
derstanding by assuming that
agriculture suffers alone, but we
may fairly recognize the funda-
mental difficulties which accentu-
ate the agricultural discourage
ments and menace the healthful
life OF this basic and absolutely
necessary industry.
,s--s War yeryise nf Farmers.
I do not need to tell you or the
country Of the supreme service
that the farmer rendered our ma
tion and the world during the war.
Peculiar circumstances placed our
allies in Europe, as we'll as our
own country. in position Of pecu-
liar and unprecedented dependence
on the American farmer. With
his labor supply limited and in
conditions which made producing
costs high beyond all precedent,
the farmer rose to the emergency.
He did everything that was asked
believed 1t was possible for him to
do. Now, In his hour Of disaster,
consequent on the reaction from,
the feverish conditions of war,
he comes to us asking that he be
given support and assistance which
shall testify our appreciation of
his service. To this he is entitled.
not oHly loT Inc SeFSice ne mas
done, but because II We fail him
we will precipitate a disaster that
will affect every industrial and
commercial activity Of the nation.
The administration has been
keenly alive to the situation, and
has given encouragement and sup
port to every measure which 1t be-
lieved calculated to ameliorate the
condition OF agriculture. In the
effort to finance crop movements.
to expand foreign markets. to ex-
pand credits at home and abroad.
much has been accomplished.
These have been. it is true. largely
in the nature of emergency meas
ures. So long as the emergency
continues IT must be dealt with as
such, but at the same time there
Is every reason for US to consider
those permanent notifications Of
manent, may secure agriculture SO
far as possible against the danger
that such conditions will arise
again, and place 1t as an industry
in the firmest and most assured
position for the future.
You men are thoroughly familiar
with the distressing details Of
present conditions in the agricul-
tural community The whole coun-
conditions and the problems which
you are met t6 consider. 1t is
truly national interest, and not
entitled to be regarded as primar-
lily the concern Of either class or
section.
Agriculture Oldest Of Industries.
Agriculture Is the Oldest and
most elemental Of industries. Every
other activity Is Intimately related
to and largely dependent upon it.
It Is the first industry to which
society makes appeal in every Pc
riod of distress and difficulty.
demand is made on the farmer.
that he will produce the where
withal for both combatants and
the civil population to be fed. and
in large part also to be clothed
and equipped. 1t Is q curious fact
that agriculture has always been
the first line OF support Of commu-
mites in war, and too commonly
the victim Of those distresseS
flicts. Perhaps may be pardoned
q word by way Of developing this
idea. Until comparatively very re-
cent times the land was the first
prize Of victory in war. The con-
Queror distributed the subjugated
soil among his favorites, and gave
them his prisoners as slaves to
work It. Thus the ownership of
the land became the symbol of
favor and aristocracy, while the
working ofdt was regarded as the
task of menials, dedicated to I'LL
paid toll In order that the owners
Of the land and the rulers of the .
state might be able to maintain
themselves in luxury and to en-
force their political authority.
Coming down through the ages,
We we a5ne,,y sue ~ emsncsnatins % M .a.lo tha aoii
from this low estate. We see the
institutions Of serfdom and Wiz
lenage, under the feudal order,
succeeding those Of slavery. Later
we see the creation Of q rural
peasantry, comprising broadly those
who till the soil. but In most cases