The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-28
FARM CONFERENCE
 ADJOURNS AFTER
 FNE-DAY SESSION
Wallace Says Farley Was Most Representative Gath erlng of Agricultural h.
 terestS Ever Held
By Associated Press

Washington, January 27.-The National Agricultural conference, which concluded five-day session here tonight, was characterized by Secretary Wallace of the apartment of agriculture in his closing ad- dress as "the most representative gathering of agriculture" ever held.
 It has been good thing for the farmers and the allied interests. he declared, adding that the farmers and the related interests must CO., operate to put agriculture on a sound and enduring basis.'
 This conference" the secretary continued, "has gained ground, and think we can hold that ground. W have presented conservative sugges- tions not only for the present but for the working out of a sound az ricultural policy for years to come. g
 Before adjourning resolutions were adopted thanking President Harding and Secretary Wallace for calling the conference and expressing appre- citation to Chairman Anderson for his fairnes in presiding over the session.
 The conference, which began its five day session here Monday, did not complete it's consideration of reports and went into night session with the prospect of taking final ad- journment before midnight.
 The debate on the question of wage "deflation" today was long and at times vehement The proposal was strenuously fought by Samuel Com pers, president of the American Fed ara nf Ia hnr tph hn fQ a da1 a I a to the conference. Several farmers who opposed reduction in wages and helped to defeat the first recommen- dalton, supported the proposal final iy adopted that both railroads and their employees share in the readjust- nnent.
 St. Lawrence Waterway
 The conference also indorsed a proposal that the St. Lawrence Great Lakes waterways project be com pleted, after one committees recon mendation to this effect had been lost. Action for repeal of the 6 per cent guarantee clause of the trans portation act, defeated during the labor debate, also received favorable action on later report.
 The conference recommended com pletlon of the projects at Muscle Shoals, and urged that the govern ment accept the offer of Henry Ford to lease them. Reduction of freight rates on farm products. live stock and products of all industries to the basis prior to the increase of An- gust, 1920, also was urged, as wei as the restoration of certain rate making powers to state railroad com missions Readjustment of rates af- fectfng other commodities should fol r,tierlv a nnGEfhln if added. Legislation to prevent the railroads from including the lant multiple" in making up their revalu' ations was further recommended A spirited fight preceded adoption by the conference of the resolution favoring government acceptance oi Henry Ford's offer for Muscle Shoals
 The proposal was attacked by C II. McDowell of Illinois, president ci the National Fertilizer association who opposed giving Mir. Ford a hun dred-year lease on property built UT by the government; and W. l. Drum rhond of Kansas City. secretary of the International Farm congress, sought 1 to have action on the resolution de- ferred until more information was available.
 Herbert Myrick of Springfield Mass, who introduced the resolution was joined by J. R. Howard, presi- dent, and Gray Silver, Washington representative of the American Farm Bureau federation, in urging acccp- tance of the Ford offer. MT. Myrick said that MT Ford had guaranteed to make 100000 tons of ammonium nj U ate a year, which would be equiva- lent to from one to two million tons e Jn ,ui n 00C required to complete the project would be provided through bond is sue guaranteed by Mir. Ford. which under the proposed amortization plar would be paid eventually out of the earniuRs of the plant.