Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-27
CHARLES r. JENKINS
On AorIcujture's Necessities

TIME prosperity Of the United States as
i a whole impinges directly upon the
prosperity of the agricultural, ana th1s IN m
cudes even the great cities, such as fhiIn-
delphia, in the opinion Of Chnres +. Jen-
kins. president Of the Farm Journal Com
pany. Mr. Jenkins has been attending the
Agricultural Convention in Washihs'oh
summoned to meet by President Harding
THE extent to which the prosperity no M
the country is dependent upon that OF the
agricultural interests said Mr.. Jenkins
lis not usually known. Agricultural pro-
duction is one of the very largest OIL the
Industries Of the United States, ana has
many times led the list In the amount ot
wealth produced annually. One-third OF tne
population of the country is engaged I'D as,'
cultural pursuits. and half OF the poPui
lution either lives on farms or IN s'haii
towns which are dependent upon the tatIlo 3.
surrounding them for their economic "euare
as we'll Us for their actual food supply
There are more persons engaged in ngricui-
turc than in any other one business ot tne
Nation. With these figures In mind, II Is
not strange that whatever affects the pros
pcriry of the farmer affects that OF inc
Nation rs we'll.
National Conference
1.-The conference called by president
Harding for last Monday. and which Is sun
in session, was Summoned by the fresluent
and Secretary Of Agriculture Wallace 10
ASCERTAIN what steps might be taken Tor the
Improvement Of the condition OF the farm
ing population. They are In many instances
Hat OH their backs, having raised crops
which have been sold for one half or tho
of the country have awakened to the tact
that The prosperity Of the country people IL
the basis OF all prosperity.
while the price of farm products has
fallen off until it is. in many cases, below
nru. var prices, the cost Of most of the
In
fallen 90 proportionately, and in some in
stance, Il remains almost a. high water
marx. With such conditions it was appar-
cnt that something must he done.
'Thc conference was composed OF the
farming interests und Of representatives Of
thuse businesses the success Of which IL de-
pendent upon agriculture. This includes
the packers, bankers, elevator men, imple'
mcnt manufacturers, commission men, trans
portDtion men, representatives Of the Boards
of Trade and other industries and profes-
sions. Every State In the Union was rep
resented and il is the most representative
gathering Of persons interested In agricul-
ture that has ever been brought together.
Agricultural Bloc
"Of the 440 persons invited, $50 were
present, and in SO large gathering there
we're, Of necessity, some cross currents.
The agricultural bloc In Congress-, l
understand, considers that the conference is
a movement to forestall their action Per
sonalIy, do not think that there is much
In this Bpt, at all events, they did not
come and take part in the convention, as
they might have done, but held aloof.
Nevertheless, when one Of the delegates from
North Dakota expressed confidence in the
bloc, there was much applause, showing that
a large part of the convention was in SYM
pathy with It.
'"fhcre was good bit Of criticism over
tho action Of the Federal Reserve Bank in
New York In spending $4,000, 600 for u
marble palace, when the farmers and the
business men Of the country could not get
credit. Governor John NJ. Parker, OF
Louisiana, spoke Of the reported surplus Of
800, 900, 900 which the Federal Reserve is
said 10 have accumulated and said that It
was not their business to pile up surplus,
but to meet the needs Of the country for
credit
''One suggestion which excited consider.
able comment was that the Federal Reserve
should establish foreign banks, or at least
put man in them to assist with the credits
Another was that the head of each farm
loan bank should be director Of the Fed
cral Reserve of his district.
1T Is impossible to say now what the
ultimate results Of the conference will be.
but President Harding and Secretary Wal.
lace should feel that something important
will be accomplished from the spirit Of helm
funess In which the conference met and the
business like manner In which lt discarded
details and got down Immediately 10 funds-
mentals. ... ......