The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-02-08
AGRICULTURAL.
CONFERENCE
A FAILURE
Commissioner Harris
Says the Convention
Was "Packed" and
Nothing Was Done
For Farmers

Columbia. Feb. 3.-Thc National
Agricultural Conference called by
the president and Henry c. Wal
lace. secretary OF agriculture TO
consider the present condition OF
American agriculture and needed
remedies. began work Monday
morning. January 23rd. The con-
ference was welcomed by Presl-
dent Harding and Immediately af-
ter his address got down TO busi-
ness. must say that the presl-
dent made an admirable address
with the exception OF when ne
went out OF his way 10 express
his disapproval OF the agricultural
bloc" which is now in The senate.
If he would only get behind the
good things he advocated in his ad-
dress and use his influence TO nave
them put into operation some good
might come out OF the convention.
There was very wide range OF
subjects under discussion in the
conference. Not only were agci-
cultural leaders present but repre-
.entativcs OF middleman's interests,
such as meat packers, We're pres
ent TO prcscn, their side OF any
problem.
The program Of this convention
was arranged and made up by the
secretary Of agriculture and all
committees were appointed by him
and the majority OF the commit
tees were in favor OF the adminis-
tration and you were hopeiessiy in
the minority. The convention was
n packed one and You had no
chance whatever OF getting any
thing on the floor Of the conven-
ton for discussion. The very na-
ture OF the call was 70 consider the
present condition OF American ag-
r:culture and needed remedies and
I must say\that there was no place
on the program that touched along
this Ine-it was impossible to get
anything before the convention. In
fact. they did everything they could
TO keep such discussion from get
ing before the convention. How
ever. one big farmer from Illinois
got up on the floor Of the conven-
ton and made this statement:
THAT in 1919 il took 1000 bushels
Of corn to pay his taxes, in 1921 it
took 2l,GG0 bushels, the difference
being in the price OF corn IL 1919
and in 1921" After pay:nS the
taxes on his farm he had no pro-
fit. This shows the condition OF the
corn belt stateS-he asked Tor some
Immediate relief. There were
many who came 10 the convention
hoping 10 set some iIamediate
needed relief but they re; ;drned To-
their homes very much disappoiat-
cd and dissatisfied.
On Monday evening William Jen-
nings Bryan came into the couven-
ton and he was asked 10 make a
speech. fIe began by sa: ing that
he was proud to be at The great
agricultural convention called by
the president through the secre-
tary of agriculture He ik,. al 9TH
crs paid agriculture the highest
compliment OF all other occupa-
tions. He said that this congress
had done more for agriculture
than any former congress had
done and the only reason they did
it was because they We're scared.
He said that he was proud that
there was an agriculture bloc" in
the senate-was sorry that there
was opposition to it. for bloc
was no new thing in the United
States senate. because fer the last
80 years there had been Q bloc"
not an agricultural bloc" bur a
Wall street bloc" and al this state
OF his address he was vigorously
cheered by the convention. He
urged the farmers 10 organize ard
cooperate in the righ, lines for
their success and make demands
for such legislation as they need
ed. | want 10 say 10 the farmers
that they have TO work out their
own salvation and they can Go IL.
And believe they are more de-
tcrnincd 10 do il row than they
have ever been. Stop srumbling
aud go 10 lighting and you will
succeed Stand for what IS right.
honest, fair and just, and yoa Will
win.
L. HARRIS.