The New York herald., 1922-01-24

crops. The certainty that such scien-
tific distribution OF production was TO
be observed. would strengthen the
credit of agriculture and increase the
security on which financial advances
could be made to IL. The disastrous
effects which arise from overproduc-
ton are notorious. The Congressional
Joint Committee on agricultural con-
ditions. in the valuable report which
II has recently issued. declares that
deficiency of one-tenth In the produc-
tion of particular staple means an
increase of three-tenths in the price:
while deficit of two-tenths in pro-
6uction will mean an increase Of
eight-tenths in the price.
The converse OF this Is just as en-
phatica,ly true. In recent address TO
the Congress, l stated this situation
thus
ut Is rather shocking TO be told.
and to have the statement strongly
supported, that 100000 bales of
cotton. raised on American planta-
tions in a given year. will actually be
worth more to the producers than
100000 would have been. Equally
shocking is the statement that 700.-
100000 bushels of wheat, raised by
American farmers, would bring them
lnOHcy lildH Il plillOn bushels.
Yet these are not exaggerated state
ments. In a world where there are
tens OF millions who need food and
clothing which they cannot get such
a condition is sure to indict the So
cial system which makes it possible"
1t is apparent that the interest of
the consumer. quite equally with that
OF the producer, demands measures
to prevent these violent fluctuations
which result from unorganized and
haphazard production. Indeed. the
statistics of this entire subject clearly
demonstrate that the consumers con-
Germ for better stabilized conditions
is quite equal to that of the producer.
The farmer does not demand special
consideration to the disadvantage OF
any ether class; ne asks only for that
consideration which shall place his
vital industry on a parity OF oppor-
tunity with others, and enable it to
serve the broadest interest.
- No country IS so dependent upon
railroad transportation as is the
United States. The irregular coast
lines OF Europe. it's numerous indent-
ing arms OF the sea. as we'll as It's
great river system. afford that contl-
nent exceptional water transportation.
The vast continental area of the
United States is quite differently stu
ated, It's greater dependence upon
railroad transportation being attested
by its possession of near one-half the
railroad mileage of the world and
even this is not adequate. The inevi-
table expansion OF population will
enormously increase the burden upon
our transportation facilities and proper
forethought must dictate the present
NJ xxiS o.,
cieS in dealing with transportation
For Better Transportation.
II broad visioned craftsmanship
shall establish fundamentally sound
policies toward transportation the
present crisis will one day be regarded
as piece Of good fortune to the ma
ton. To this time railroad construc-
ton, financing and operation have
been unscientiflc and devoid Of proper
consideration for the wider concerns
of the community.
To say this is simply to admit a
TACT which applies to practically
every railroad system in the world
1t is as true regarding the railroads
OF Canada and Great Britain as it is
in reference to those of the United
States. 1t Is equally applicable to
bHc IdHWdyS OF 1OntlOentAl Europe,
in whose development considerations
of political and military availability
have too far overweighed economic
usefulness. In America we have too
long neglected our waterways. We
need practical development of water
resources for boil, transportation and
power. A large share of railway ton
mage is coal for railroad fuel The
experience of railway electrification
demonstrates the possibility of re-
ducing this waste and increasing eff
cheney. We may we'll begin very
soon to consider plans to electrify
our railroads. If such a suggestion
seems to involve inordinate demands
upon our financial and Industrial
power, it may be replied that three
generations ago the suggestion of
building 100000 miles of railways in
this country would have been secuted
as financial and Industrial impos-
sibility. Waterway Improvement rep
resents not only the possibility Of
expanding our transportation system,
but also of producing hydroelectric
power for its operation and for the
activities of widely diffused industry.
I have spoken OF the advantage
which Europe enjoys because of its
easy access to the sea. the cheapest
and surest transportation facility. In
our own country is presented one of