Omaha daily bee., 1922-01-28
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IL @s''NH u I S G
Completion of Great Lakes.
s.. Lawrence Project Is
Urged by Delegates TO
National Conference.
Lower Rail Rates Asked

ashtngtpn. Jan. Col lie natlpn-
al agricultural conference went on
record today. in adopting its trans.
portation committees report, as ia
voring participation by railroad la
Dor and railroad corporations in the
general price "deila,ion" after it
had stricken from another commit
tees report a recommendation for
repeal OF the Adamson cight-hour
law and the bringing down" OF
wages of railroad labor and other
industrial labor to parity with the
return received by the farmer.
The conference, which began its
five-day session here Monday, did
not complete its consideration of re-
ports and went into night session,
with the prospect OF taking final
adjournment before midnight.
Endorse Waterway.
The conference also endorsed q
proposal that the ST. Lawrence
Great Lakes waterway project be
completed. after one committees
recommendation to this effect had
been lost.
Action for repeal of the 6 per cent
guarantee clause of the transporta-
ton act, defeated during the labor
debate. also received favorable ae-
ton on later report.
The debate on the question OF
wage "deflation" was long and at
times vehement. The proposal was
strenuously fought by Samuel Com
pers. president of the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor. Several farmers
who opposed reduction in wages and
helped to defeat the first recommen-
dation, supported the proposal final
ly adopted.
Favor Ford Offer.
The conference recommended
completion of the propects at Mus
Gle Shoals, Ala, and urged that the
government accept the offer of Hem
ry Ford to lease them. Reduction
of freight rates on farm products,
livestock and products of allied in
dustries to the basis prior to the in
crease of August, 1920, also was
urged. as we'll as the restoration
OF certain rate-making powers to
state railroad commissions. Read
justment of rates affecting other
commodities should follow as quick
1y as possible, it was added.
Legislation to prevent the railroads
from including the "land multiple"
in making up their revaluations was
further recommended. Development
or the Mississippi river as an artery
ct commerce was advocated, with the.
adoption of a report which declared
that during and since the war there
has been a great increase in naviga-
ton in the lower Mississippi river
and on the Ohio river"
Development of navigation on the
Missouri, Ohio and Red rivers also
was suggested in this report, as well,
as joint water and rail rates and ter
nlinals.
Oppose Free Tolls.
The conference went on record as
oppOoHlS IepSdi VI Tue Alfalfa Cdlldl
tolls, saying "the people of the
United States have invested large
sum of money in the Panama canal"
Other recommendations included:
Development of hydro-electric pro-
jects to make current available to
the small consumer on the farm and
i'll the village.
Closer coordination of railway,
waterway and highway transporta-
ton.
Appointment of commission to
work out national land policy, in
cluding reclamation, irrigation, graz
ing and colonization problems in CO.
operation with similar bodies in the
various states.
Opposition to the opening of any
more land for farming purpose,
pending readjustment of conditions
in agriculture.
Stoppage Of forest devastation, de-
velopment of effective methods of fire
prevention. increase in reserves and
extension Of research.