Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-02
AGRICULTURAL
CONFERENCE

Washington, Jan. "A confer T.
ence on agriculture to conVene, la'
Washington at an early date WIZ pe
called by Secretary Wallace at the
written suggestion of President Haru-
inp The President wrote Secretary
Wallace asking him to bring ABOUT
"a national conference to consider inc
agricultural problems Of the Amerl-
can people" 80, e con-
farences which the Harding Admins
tration will have initiated Tor con ION
sideration of domestic questions. Inc
frst was on unemployment.
Secretarv Wallace said ne
would promptly issue inVi i. t,.s
to. an agricultural conference, but me
date for the meeting, as well rs tre
list of persons to be invited naa not
the conference will be representative
been vet determined. Ihere IS llo
doubt of all branches of agriculture
as we'll as related industries. >,
Invitations to the conference VIII
po forward from Secretary wallace
within the next day or two: 1t is pur-
nosed to invite not only the spokes-
mon of esta blishcd farm organizations
and associations, but Individual farm
ers and producers who may not DC as
sociated with farm organization. me
nropram also contemplates calling
into the general conference the repre-
sentatives of related Industries. lhese
probably will include packers, farm
implement dealers, fertilizer manu-
facturers, bankers, distributing agents
middlemen and commission merchants.
i. The text of President Hardln's let
ter to Secretary Wallace was as 1ol-
lows:
"My Dear Mr.. Secretary:
"In harmony with our conversation
of a few days ago, am writing to ASK
YOU to call national conference TO
The American people. We are all vel!
consider the agricultural problems OF
aware of the severe agricultural de-
preston which exists throughout the
land and the extraordinary conditions
which brought about the present SIT
uation. No one will pretend that the
present conditions could have been
avoided, but none of us is willing to
agree that there ought not to DC
some corrective and constructive steps
taken to remedy the severe hardshlps
under which no important portion OF
our productive citizenship is strug-
Cling. | am convinced that a confer
ence may be made d very helpful
agency in suggesting practical ways OF
Improvement particularly if brought
into coordination with the helpful
investigation which has been begun by
the Congressional committee commit
ted to a related work.
"Such conference might divide
itself into two parts: One part to give
consideration to our prcsent-day diff
cultes 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 maintcn
ancc of production. the greatest pos
sible use and at the same tome the
conservation of our agricultural re-
sources, and the more complete co-or
dination of our agricultural manu-
featuring and general business in
tercSt.
at seems reasonably certain, that
as the world comes out of the pre-
sent period of Reorganization. this
country may find itself confronting
new conditions which may very direct
ly influence both our agricultural and
Industrial life. We should anticipate
such changes and endcavor to prepare
for them, II is unthlnkablc that with
our vast areas, our unparalleled en-
downent of agricultural resources,
our fertility of soil, our vast home
market and the great ability and re-
sourcefulneSs ., our farmers we
should accept the status of a distinct
~ industrial nation. Our destiny seems
to require that we should be we'll
rounded nation with a high develop
ment Sf both industry and agricul-
ture supporting one another and pro
spering together. Ii must be, and, |
feel sure it is, the natural wish and
purpose to maintain our agriculture
in the highest possible efficiency.
1T is 1inquestioned that conference
will bring US to closer understands
ing of the problems before us. !
would like you to bring into the con-
ference not only the ablest represen,
tatires or agricultural production
which shall represent out great coun,
try in the broadcast possible way. but
/ think much good would come if you
will include in the conference those
who are engaged in industry most
Intimately associated with agricul,
ture. 1t will clarity our views if we
may have present representatives Of
the more important. interests which
are closely related and dependent OF