The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-01-28
PROBLEMS
CONSIDERED
BY CONFERENCE
Numerous Plans Sug-
gested For Relief Of
Agricultural D e
preston a n d t O
Make F a r m i n 6.
Profitable

Washington, Jan. 25.-Propos-
ais looking to development OF
American agriculture as self-sus-
tanning industry We're considered
today by the national agricultural
conference while its committee
continued working on suggested
measures to relieve the present
acute situation and provide for
general rehabilitation.
The program of addresses which
covered marketing problems in
many phases was interrupted long
enough to permit Chairman Ander-
son to deny the charge voiced in
some quarters that the delegates
to the conference were hand
picked.
Mr.. Anderson said that Secretary
Wallace, despite the shortness OF
time in which to select delegates
after the conference was called,
had consulted farm organization
leaders and others in making up
his list.
Governor Parker Of Louisiana,
one Of the speakers on the program
who was the first to mention the
whispered talk Of hand-picked'
delegates at today's meeting, also
defended the conference.
a proposal for establishment of
commodity financing through loans
to farmers running from six months
to three years was indorsed today
by subcommittee working on this
phase of the rehabilitation pro-
gram. The proposal was said to
provide for creation by the govern
ment of an agency for discounting
farmers notes based on agricultur-
al commodities and livestock pa
pers This was said to be one Of
the important steps necessary to
ameliorate the present situation.
A number Of ainformal confer
ences were held today both before
! and during the conference session
by delegates who were said TO be
considering the proposal Of a res-
olution indorsing the farm bloc
in congress Considerable. discus
sion Of the farm bloc" followed
President Harding's address Mon
day, it was said, and delegates IA
voring action in support of It are
understood to. be canvassing to de-
tern1ine what reception such a res
olution would be likely to receive.
Reduction of wages paid railroad
labor and of freight rates was rec
commended tonight by subcommit
tee on costs, prices and readjust-
ment. The committee declared that
prices paid railroad labor and that
of other industries was much great
er than returns received by agri-
cultural labor and that read
justment was necessary.
Another subcommittee recon-
mended a tariff rate on sugar high
enough to put sugar production in
America on the same basis as dur
ing the war. These reports are to
be considered by the full commit
tee at meeting tomorrow. The
committee on agricultural credit
and insurance also reported a res
olution urging congress to consld-
er the advisability of plan for crop
insurance against pest and elements
and the creation Of crop insur-
ance bureau
Cooperation between various pro-
ducing and distributing agencies
was recommended by a subcommit-
tee on market costs, studies and
improved business methods.
Considerable difference of opin-
ion developed in the subconlmit-
tee on waterways in its discussion
of the ST. Lawrence-Great Lakes
waterway, opposition being evl-
denced by New York interest. 1t
was understood. however, that the
proposal was indorsed.
The repore Of the committee pro-
viding Immediate credit for farm
ers would have congress create an
agency Of the government to dis
count for any bank or Incorporated
livestock loan association paper on
which they had made loans for ag-
ricultural purposes. 1t would also
provide for loans direct by this
agency to any cooperative assocla-
ton organized under the laws OF
any state where farm paper is Sc
cured by warehouse receipt cover
i/.h j,a
loan is sought.
This agency would also be en-
powered to sell debentures with
security Of not more than three
years and secured by such paper.
Note Of the agency could be rediS-
counted by the federal reserve
banking system.
Extension of the war finance cor
poration from July l next until
such time as may seem necessary
and proper" was also recommend
ed
Due representation of agriculture
on the reserve board also was urS-
ed- The subcommittee on tobacco
recommended investigation by the
state government in cooperation
with state agencies. of the most
economic methods of production
and consumption. kinds of tobac-
go most suitable for particular soil
and the best methods OF controlling
insect pets and plant diseases. II
urged Il standard grade for trans
porting different types of tobacco
and 4 warehouse system.
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