The New York herald., 1922-01-24

the worlds most attractive opportuni-
ties for extension OF the seaway5
many hundred miles inland. The heart
of the continent. with its vast re-
sources in both agriculture and in
dustry. would be brought in communi-
cation with all the ocean routes by
the execution OF the st. Lawrence
waterway project. To enable ocean
going vessels 10 have access TO all
the ports OF the Great Lakes would
have a most stimulating effect upon
the industrial life OF the continents
interior. The feasibility OF the project
Is unquestioned. and its cost. COM
pared with some other great engi-
neering works. would be small. Dis
organized and prostratc, the nations
OF central Europe are even now set
ting their hands TO the development
of a great continental waterway,
which, connecting the Rhine and the
Danube will bring water transporta-
ton from the Black TO the North Sea.
from Mediterranean TO Baltic. II ma
tionalIst prejudices and economic difb-
culties can be overcome by Europe,
they certainly should not be formida-
BILE obstacles to an achievement, less
expensive, and giving promise OF yet
greater advantages 20 the peoples OF
NOTln AltttCds sNoN Otts NObi' NtO
cost OF transportation be greatly re-
duced, but a vast population would be
brought overnight in immediate touch
with the markets OF the entire world.
This conference needs nave no fear
OF unfortunate effects from the fullest
development of national resources. A
narrow view might dictate In the
present agricultural stress antagoniSm
to projects of reclamation. rehabilita-
ton and extension of the agricultural
area. To the contrary, IL agriculture
Is TO hold its high place. there must
be the most liberal policy In extending
its opportunity. The war. as was
recently well said by the Secretary
of Agriculture. has brought our coun-
try more quickly. but not more inevi-
tably. to the necessity of deciding
whether this shall be predominantly
an industrial country. or one in which
industry and agriculture shall be en-
couraged to prosper side by side. ana
to complement each other In building
here community Of diverse interests.
II our policy shall be. as II ought, to
encourage the dual development. then
we have need to consider the early
and continuing reclamation OF those
great areas which with proper treat
n.ent would become valuable additions
to our agricultural capacity. TO this
end every practical proposal for wa
tering our arid and semi-arid land, for
reclaiming cut over forest areas. for
protecting fertile valleys from inun-
dations and for draining the potenu-
ally rich and widely extended swamp
areas, should be given the full en-
couragement of the Government. All
this should be part OF recognized
permanent policy. Not otherwise will
il be possible to keep the nation self
supporting and as nearly seif-con-
tanned as 1t has been in the past
There must be a new conception OF
the farmers place IN our social and
economic scheme. The time Is long
past when We may think OF farming
as an occupation fitting for the man
who Is. not equipped for or has some
how failed at some other line OF en-
deavor. The successful farmer OF
to-day. far from beiag an unframed
laborer working every day and every
hour that sun and weather permit. Is
required to be The most expert and
particularly the most versatile OF arti-
sans, executives and business men. He