Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-03-12
WALLACE ANALYZES
FARMERS PROBLE EMS
Secretary of Agriculture Asserts Growers Fears Are
Based on Facts, and Believes Legislation Is Needed
to Alleviate Menacing Situation.

Difpassionatc consideration or this
large. problem IS mad" harder now
b1causc our ngricuitur, IL in very
bad shape, much worse than is fully
realized. especially here In the East.
There seems to be tendency to re-
gard the complaints and appeals
which are being voiced by the farm
crs and the people who speak in
their behalf as simply the recurrence
OF grumblings which have been heard
from farmers I'm past periods OF de-
preston. Now the truth Is that we
are passing through the most severe
agricultural depression we have ever
experienced. u ia not simply n case
or low prices for farm products we
nave seen lower prices in times past
The trouble now liz that whereas
prices or farm products. speaking
centrally. are lower than before fhe
var. prices OF the things the farmer
must pay for. including transported
ton. wages. taxes and the loan of
money. remain near tho war levels.
Hence, the purchasing power OF the
major farm crops is lower than at
any time In our history
Great Tnsk.
Our FIRST task is 10 bring agricul-
'urc through this critical period
with the least possible damage SON
ators and congrcssmen from the
surplus producing States appreciate
ne gravity OF the situation, as in
deed, DO hundreds .. thousands OF
business men who have dealings
with the farmer. directly or Indirect
~. II is quite natural. therefore.
mat there should be consideration OF
legislative measures which Wight af-
ford relief. As Is always the case In
periods OF financial depression. we'll
meaning people whose understanding
OF economic forces is not all thar
might be hoped for. come forward
Win III considered plans. Such have
had scant consideration. Efforts at
relief by congressional action have
been directed along three general
lines. FIRST. improved credit facilities;
second. perm!ssive Legislation which
VIII encourage the farmer himself to
Improve methods OF marketing farm
crops: 'hird, assurance OF free. open
and competitive markets FOR crops
and live stock through the cXercige
OF reasonable government superv!s-
:on over market agencies
That anyone should bc disposed 10
regard such legislation as OF the
nature of class Legislation Intended
TO or having the effect OF bcnenting
one group at the expense Of other
any sense class legislation. Its pri-
| mary purpose is 10 maintain agri-
| cultural production that the people
| may bc fed.
We have come TO the time when
team work Is needed. yes. imperative.
There must be sympathy under
| standing and cooperation between
| agriculture, Industry and business
| They are dependent upon one an
| other. They are alike necessary TO
weilrounded national life. They
must work together for the good
OF AL.
TO Heducc Costs.
The paradox OF our present large
Flood surplus Notwithstanding, we arc
|''ast ceaslng To become a food export
ing nation. The startling rapidity OF
our industrial growth points to the
approaching need OF q materially in
GrcasinE production. Enlarged pro-
lductlon may be brought about in two
ways. There are still large areas
ii land which may be brought under
the plow-not easily or Chcaply but
as need may require and prices JUS
tify. And larger yields may be had
from tho lands already under cult
walton by the practice OF more in
tensivc methods. In either case the
consumer cannot hope To buy food as
Cheaply in tho future as in the past.
unless there be large reductions In
the costs Of producing that food. ana
When r. say costs q! production ]
mean also costs OF marketing, for
production and marketing are in
scparable. In its own interest. there
fore. and for it's own benefit. the
consuming public must aid in MAX
| ing available to the farmer every
| facility and business device which
| may help him in reducing production
costs.
Some SuEGeations.
In the administration of our credit
| machinery whether by government
agencies or otherwise the effect on
horticulture must be given more CON
sideration than in the past.
Credit for productive and improve
ment purposes must be made avail
able TO the farmer on terms which
the seasonal character of agricultural
production makes necessary
| Improvement in marketing meth
DDS through the organization OF CO.
| operative associations should be per-
| mitted and encouraged.
Fard products should be trans
ported at the lowest possible costs
consistent with the maintenance and
satisfactory operation of the trans
porting agency.
The collection OF statistical infor.
| nation as to production and consump-
| ton of agricultural products at home
and abroad should be generally ex-
tended. and made more generally
| available.
The extension of cultivated land
should not be encouraged until care
ful survey has made plain the
practibility of establishing profta-
bic farming or live stock enterprise.
There. should be decided tighten
ing up OF our policies of land settle