The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-01-07
FARMERS MEETING
IS TO Be CALLED
President Asks That National
Meeting Be Called at
Washington.

ngton-President Harding in
a letter Friday to Secretary Wallace
OF the department of agriculture ask
ed that the latter call national con-
venton at Washington ito suggest
practical ways of improvement for the
severe agricultural depression which
exists throughout the land
Prompt action was taken at the de-
partment of agriculture where the re-
quest was telegraphed to a number OF
organizations and individuals whose at
tendance is desired at the gathering.
Secretary Wallace said that the date
OF the conference had not yet been fix
I'd, nor complete invitation list made
up 1t is expected, however. that the
conference will be held within a
month and that in addition to farmers
and their organizations, industries as
ISOLATED directly and indirectly with
agriculture will be called in to assist
in the efforts to improve conditions.
mo one will pretend that the pres
ent conditions could have been avoid
cd" President Harding said in his
letter to the secretary, but none OF
us is willing to agree that there ought
not to DE some correct and conserva-
tive steps taken to remedy the severe
hardships under which such important
portion of productive citizenship is
struggling | am convinced that con-
ference may be made a very helpful
agency in suggesting practical ways
of Improvement, particularly that
which has been begun by a congress
sional commission committed to re-
lated work"
The president further suggested that
the conference might divide its work
into two sections, one for considera-
ton of our present-day difficulties.
which, though temporary. are serious
and need effective attention" while
the second could deal with survey
of the future in an effort to determine
upon general policies"
The letter added:
1T seems reasonably certain that
as the world comes out of the present
period of dtsorganization this country
may find itself facing new conditions
which may very directly influence both
our agricultural and industrial life.
We should anticipate such changes and
endeavor to prepare for them. 1t is
unthinkable that with our vast areas,
our unparalleled endowment of agri-
cultural resources, our fertility of soil,
our vast home market and the great
ability and resuorcefulness of our far
mers, we should accept the status OF
a distinctly industrial nation Our des-
tiny seems to require that we should
be a well-rounded nation, with high
development of both industry and agri-
culture. supporting one another and
prospecting together. 1t must be, and
l feel it is, the national wish and pur-
pose to maintain our agriculture at
the highest possible efficiency.
ut is unquestioned that confer
ence will bring us to a clearer under
standing of the problem before us
would like you to bring into the con
ference not only the ablest represen-
tatives of agricultural production.
which shall represent our country in
the broadcast possible way, but think
much good would come if you will in
clude in the conference those who are
engaged in industry most and init
mately associated with agriculture.
1T will clarity our views If we may
have present representatives of the i'm
portant interests which are closely re-
lated to and dependent on agriculture
trust the representatives will be in
vited l must leave the makeup of the
conference to your more intimate
knowledge of those who may confer
helpfully, but will be glad if you will
Immediately issue invitations so that
both the country and the government
may have the benefit of the earliest
possible suggestions which will come
from such meeting"
Il am in complete accord with the
presidents conception of the matters
the conference should consider" Sec
rotary Wallace announced, "and the
character Of the representation, and
shall try to carry out his wishes in
detail"