Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-23
WATERWAY PROPOSAL UPHELDBY
PRESIDENT in ADDRESS BEFORE
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE MEET
Three Hundred Delegate,
Gather At Capital For Tie
First Session OF Farm Cor
ference; Representative
Anderson Made Permanent
Chairman; Secretary WAL
lace Outlines Constructive
Plan.

Washington, Jan. 23.-Feasibility
lis unquestioned" President Harding
declared today before the national
agricultural conference.
nave spoken" the president
said of the advantage Europe en-
joys because of it's easy access to the
sea, the cheapest and surest trans
portatioh facility. In our country is
presented one of the worlds most at
tractlve opportunities for extension OF
the seaways many hundred miles in
iand. The heart OF the continent with
It's vast resources in both agriculture
and industry, would be brought in
communication with all the ocean
routes by the execution OF the st.
Lawrence waterway project To en-
able ocean going vessels to have ac-
cess to all ports OF the Great Lakes
would have most stimulating effect
upon the industrial life of the conti-
nent's interior.
THE feasibility of the project is
unquestioned and its costs, compared
with some other engineering works,
would be small. Disorganized and
PROSTATE, the nations Of central Eu-
rope are even now setting their hands
TO the development Of great conti-
mental waterways which, connecting
the Rhine and Danube, will bring
water transportation from the Black
to the North sea, from Mediterranean
to Baltic. II nationalistic prejudsces
and economic difficulties can be over
come by Europe. they certainly
should not be formidable obstacles to
an achievement. less expensive and
giving promise of yet greater ad-
vantages to the peoples of North
America. Not only would the cost of
transportation be greatly reduced. but
a vast population would be brought
overnight in immediate touch with
the markets OF the entire world"
500 Present.
Washington, Jan. 23.-Attended by
4three hundred dele
gates representing agriculture. in all
Its phases and the industries related
to farming, the national agricultural
conference was convened here today
tby Secretary Wallace: and Immediate
ly heard. from President Harding 4
declaration of Interest and sympathy
fssy the administration in the present
;; plight OF the nations farmers togeth-
er with a series of suggestions for
remedying existing conditions.
/. Harding Outlines Discussion.
i% The president in an address ,touch-
ing upon the agricultural situation in
detail but without attem pting to die
tate the course of the conference dis
cusSions. outlined half dozen broad
questions to the consideration Ct
which the conference might well give
its attention. These briefly included:
DEVELOPMENT of d thorough ccde OF
!, law and business procedure. with the
proper machinery of finance, through
some agency, to assure that turnover
capital shall be as generously supplied
TO the farmer and on as reasonable
/, terms as to other industries.
Formation Of cooperative loaning
buying and selling association
Creation Of instrumentalities for
collection and distribution of useful
and true information so as to pre-
vent violent fluctuations OF markets.
Practical development of the water
resources of the country. both for
transportation and power, including
plans for electrification of the ma
tons railroads.
Methods for bringing about further
reclamation. rehabilitation and eS-
tension of the agriculture area.
Promotion of a new conception Of
! the farmers place in the national so
cial and economic scheme.
Big Ovation.
F.; The president who walked the four
blocks from the White House to the
New Willard hotel where the confer
ence is meeting received hearty
ovation when he appeared in the con-
ference hall. The delegates aud 9TH
ers in attendance including number
tened attentively and frequently ap-
plauded the executives statements.
Especially strong applause greeted
his declaration for more adequate
credit facilities and applause also
| broke forth when the president made
a slight digression to assert that
| present condition in the agricultural
industry "is truly national interest
| and not entitled to be regarded az
primarily the concern Of either a
class or 4 section or a bloc" e.
! Wallace Speaks.
! The president was followed by Sec
retary Wallace who declared the con-
| ference had been called to consider
the present agricultural depression
and remedies for it and also the lay
ing down Of q permanent policy for
the upbuilding of sustaining agricul-
ture. At the close of his address he
announced that Representative An
derson Minnesota, chairman Of the
;oint congressional committee. would
act as permanent chairman of the
| conference and DIR. X. C. Taylor, chief
| Of the bureau Of markets and crop
estimates, as executive secretary.
| Constructive Plan
Secretary Wallace told the dele
| gates that constructive efforts might
properly be made in three fields
which he outlined rs follows:
! First, what may be done properly
through legislative action.
| Second. what may be done
through administrative and educa-
| tional effort. national and state. by
the various agencies charged with the