Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-12-05
FARMING TO Improve,
CONGRESS IS TOLD
Secretary Wallace Says Farm
srs Are in Better Condition
Than a Year Ago.

fermers. comprising about one third OF n
the coun'ry's population, find fhem-
selves. Notwithstanding their hard
work and large production this year.
eth lahoring under a serious dead-
vantage as compared with other
rrours Of workers because OF the dis
tcrtona'e relationship OF prices. Sec
rotary Wallace OF the Department OF
Agriculture told Pre- dden. Harding and
Congress yesterday In his annual re-
port.
There Is food in superabundance,"
Ny. Wallace said. "and this con-
tributes the prosperity OF business and
industry for a time. but the inadequate
retrn which the farmer is receiving
and has for three years. inevitably
must result in establishments in the
number OF people on the farms and in
nc cities. which will not be for the
continuing good OF the nation
There has been a greatly accelerated
movement of farmers. and especially
farmers sons from the farms 10 the
cities and industrial centers. the sec
retary reported. declaring that best
estimates indicate that during JNy,
August and September twice as many
persons left the farms for the cities
as normally"
The secretary renewed his recon-
nendation for rural credits legislation,
asserting that action should be taken
promptly to increase the maximum
which a Farm Loan Bank may loan
10 an individual from $4,000 to s2S.-
Ooo. He advocated also a readjust-
mont of the term loans may run. say
ing n system should be established by |
which the farmN could borrow for |
periods of from six months 10 three |
years. Creation of new bureau of |
homo economics was urged by the
secretary. to enable tho department 20
extend iis efforts toward better eco
nonic systems in the rural commun-
lty-
Another problem requiring i'm
mediate attention. the secretary said.
~os the necessity of working out
and applying n comprehensive plan
81 protecting. rcgrowing and utilizing
our forest"
This year would he prosperous
year for agriculture and consequently
prosperous year for the nation. IL
the relationship OF prices now was
such as existed before the war. Sec
reiery Wallace said. There has been
some increase in prices O, farm pro-
ducts, but there has not been much
Improvement IN the general rela ton
ship between the prices os the things
the farmer produces and the things he
buys
Among the cau.e. which contribute
90 the abnormal relationship OF farm
prices 10 the prices OF other things.
secs~tary Wallace mentioned these:
oycrproduction OF many farm crops.
Continued high freight rntee.
Maintenance ot Industrial wages al
near wartime levels.
Economic depression and depneciat-
81 currency in European countries.
fnirSerence with the eficient tunc-
aonirs Of necessary indurtr.es
tnreasonably high costs o. dis
trbution of some farm products
Some contend there :. n, such
thing as overproduction O, farm pro.
ducts and can not be so long as there
are people IN the world who suffer fos
food and clothing" said Secretar,
Wallace. on the same line of rea.
sonins 70 can be argued that the pro
ducton Of automobiles will he made
quate until every man and woman an,
every hey and girl OF high school az
owns one. There is overproductior
10 FAR as the producer is concfrnet
whenever the quantity produced can
not be marketed a; a PRICE. which Wi
cover a. costs and leave IN. p-oduc.
enough 20 tempt him 20 continue pro
duction
In spite % discourarem.nts %
three years renewed. continues the y.
por,. ne farmer. IN contrast with var
QUE other groups mas produced abur
eantly without cessation. This Yea
the average % the u principal cror
was about $4,000. 600 acres. which
100000 above the IO-year averaa
ana only 100000 acres below Ia,
Dear. ~ result % long hours ,
hard labor. aided by favorable weath.
conditions. the tonnage q this g-ou
~ principal crops was greater tina
a., yNlr and above the lO-year ave
axe NJ Ia spite OF this great oua,
liy 20 actual wealth produced. FAR
people. comprising one-third OF u
popu.nti n. have greatly reduc.
purchasing power resulting from II
decline - farm prices below the DIT
Ntr .eVei While other commodity pr
". are % 20 100 per cent above
secretary Wallace diagnoses the d,
''epancy between farm prices and "a,
c's - other things az due 10 cyernr
auction ~ many farm c-ope contlnu
hiEh freight rates. the nalntasnan y
~ Industrial wages az near war-tlr
levels. economic deprese.o and i
prec.a'ed currency IN European CO..,
tries interference with the eaBc.s
funcuonlng q necessary lnduStri
and unreaFonab.y h.gn costs Of d
u1buiion 81 some farm products
hiEh distribution costs. caused
part by the mutt pl.catlon OF az,
Gee. ls given az another cause OF Ia,
prices 10 producers and higher ca
10 consumers
Taxes are said 10 have become
calling burden on the farmer. II
nave greatly Increased while the pr
- % farming have diminished.