Arizona republican., 1922-01-28
TRepubIIean a. P. Leased WHO

WASHINGTON, Jan. %. The
ational agricultural conference
which concluded five days session
here tonight was characterized by
Secretary Wallace or the department
Of agriculture in his closing address
as tho most representative gather
ing OF agriculture" ever held. II has
been q good thing for the farmers
and the allied interests, he declared.
adding that the farmers and the re-
lated interests must cooperate TO
put agriculture on a sound and en-
during basis"
This conference" the secretary
continued. "has gained ground and !
think we can hold that ground. We
have presented constructive sug-
gestions not only for the present but
for the working out OF sound agri-
cultural policy for years TO come"
Before adjourning, resolutions were
adopted thanking President Harding
and Secretary Wallace for calling the
conference and expressing apprecia-
tion to Chairman Anderson for his
fairness in presiding over the ses-
sions.
The conference went on record TO-
day, in adopting its transportation
committees reports as favoring par
ticipation by railroad labor and rail-
road corporations in the general
price 'deflation," after IL had stricken
from another committees report n
recommendation for repeal OF the
Adamson eight-hour law and tho
bringing down of wages OF railroad
labor and other industrial labor TO a
parity with the return received by the
farmer.
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
Grafton OF Labor. Several farmers
who opposed reduction in wages and
helped to defeat the first recommen-
dation supported the proposal finally
adopted.
Endorse Ford's Offer
The conference also endorsed a
proposal that the st. Lawrence Great
Lakes water way project be COM
pleted after one committees recon-
mendation to this effect had been
lost. Action for repeal Of the six
per cent guarantee clause Of the
transportation act, defeated during
the labor debate. also received favor
able action on a later report. The
conference recommended completion
OF the projects at Muscle Shoals, Ala.
and urged that the government ac-
cept the offer OF Henry Ford 10 lease
them. Reduction of freight rates on
farm products, livestock and products
Of allied industries to the basis prior
to the increase OF August. 1920. also
was urged, as well as the restoration
OF certain rate making powers 20
state railroad commissions Read
iustment Of rates affecting other
commodities should follow as quickly
as possible, II was added. Legisla-
tion to prevent the railroads from in
cluding the "land multiple in making
up their re-valuations' was further
recommended.
Development OF the Mississippi as
an artery of commerce was advocated
with the adoption Of a report which
declared that during and since the
war there has been a great increase
in navigation in the lower Mississippi
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
minals. The conference went on
record as opposing repeal OF the
Panama canal tolls. saying: "the
people Of the United states have in
vested a large sum Of money in the
Panama canal"
Other recommendations included:
Development of hydro electric
power projects to make current avail
able to the small consumer on the
farm and in the village.
. Closer coordination Of railways.
waterway and highway transporta-
ton.
appointment Of a commission 10
work out a national land policy. In
Guiding reclamation, irrigation, graz
ing and colonization problems in CO.
operation with similar bodies IN the
states.
Opposition 10 the opening OF any
more land for farming purposes
pending roadjustment Of conditions
In agriculture.
Stoppage Of forest devastation, de-
of methods OF preservation
and extension Of research.