Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-02-18
By Warren W. Wheaton

Washington, Feb. 18-Until
extensive research work is under
taken and the American farmer
is given the benefit of first hand
and immediate information of the
rapidly changing European mar
ket conditions agricultural ills in
the United States cannot hope to
be entirely cured.
Delegates from all over the
country, who attended the confer
ence on farm and allied industries,
called at the suggestion of Presi-
dent Harding, were practically in
unanimous agreement on this
phase of the many varied discus
sions of the needs of the farmer.
Research work along all agri-
cultural lines is prime necessity
Of the farming industry" declar-
ed RepresentatiYe Sidney Ander-
son, Of Minnesota, chairman of
the Congressional committee on
agriculture inquiry, who presid-
ed as permanent chairman at the
farm conference.
To get the best results l be-
lieve it will be necessary to cen
tralize all research work, and
don't know of any better agency
than the National Agricultural
department. At the capitol there
are some who say this centraliza-
tion is impracticable. OF course
there must be experiment stations
for research work in various parts
Of the country, but l think they
should be under control Of the Ag-
ricultural department.
THE results of research work
do not appear, In many instances,
for several years and even longer
before they can be commercially
applied by the farmer through re-
search efforts"
Much of the depression now ex-
perienced in tn farming industry
Is attributed to lack of comprehen
siVe knowledge of the needs of
foreign markets. farmers agree.
Over production and no market to
handle excess crops are held to
be chargeable to this failure to
gauge European food needs.
Give US the market in this
country, and we will be far Oh
the way to solving our own trou-
bles' is the gist of the plants of
many of the dirt" farmers of the
country.
]. M. Anderson, of St. Paul,
Mimi, president Of the Equity
Cooperative Exchange. is respon-
3ible for the assertion that the
main solution Of the farmers
perplexities lies in proper financ-
ing Of foreign countries, so that
they may buy American farm pro-
ducts and thereby open up a mar
ket to relieve over production.
Urges Export Credit Plan
II believe" he said, that we
should extend such credit to for
elgn countries as will enable them
to take the surplus staple products
off our hands at living prices to
our producers and distribute them
to the countries of Europe which
are starving for want of them
II believe that the United States
should extend sufficient credits
to foreign countries, say $1,000
100000, taking as security NIL
nicipal, government and approved
industrial securities of those
countries and giving them ten to
fifteen years in which to repay.
The credits so established should
be used In the purchase of our
agricultural products and used in
such way that the advantages
to be derived reach our producers
NOT be consumed in intermed-
late agencies.
I'VE spent thirty million dol
lars to help save democracy-let |
us now spend one or two billions
to help save agriculture and per-
haps civilization ITSELF"
The result Of this suggestion |
may be that the government will
be petitioned by the farmers OF |
the country TO embark on the nm