Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-02
Considering tho Fnrmcr

a tho written suggestion of President
"a Harding, Secretary of Agriculture
Wallace will call national conference to
consider tho agricultural problems Of the
American people, to convene in Washington
ct an early date. 1t Is proposed to invite
not only tho spokesman OF established fnIDl
organizations and associations, but indvid-
ual farmers and producers who may not be
associated with farm organization. The
program also contcmplutes calling into tho
general conference representatives OF related
industries, including, probably, packers,
farm implement dealers. fertilizer manufac-
turers, bankers, distributing agents, middle
men and commission merchants.
In the light Of the good results that fol-
lowed the national unemployment confcr-
ence some months ago, 1t Is possible that
general conference on agricultural problems,
composed of tho representatives of such re-
lated interests to the industry as above
mentioned, might be productive of very sub
stnntial results by way of bringing about Il
clearer understanding of tho needs of agri-
culture and Of methods of cooperation by
which tho industry may overcome the hand-
caps which are now depressing it. Bu, il
the conference is to be u success, the discus
sions must be characterized by both frank
ness and sincerity of purpose on the part of
all the interests represented to cooperate
to the fullest extent possible in putting into
effect such remedial measures as may be
agreed upon rs the solution Of the various
problems involved. Against some of these
interests the farmer has bitterly complained
that they have not treated him with the de-
gree Of consideration that their related In
tcrest to his welfare demanded. "A frank
exhibit of the facts in relation TO the prac-
tees of those subjected to such suspicion
might remove many misconceptions and es-
tablish more harmonious relations.
While considerable relief may he obtained
through agreement on cooperative efforts
on the part Of the individual interests to he
represented in the conference, agriculture
Will not be lifted TO the plane to which il is
justly entitled by reason OF its Importance
to thc general welfare of tho country until
il receives juster consideration nj tho hands
OF Congress i'll respect TO needed legislation
designed tn promote its interests. In his
letter TO Secretary Wallace, the President
by implication clearly indicates one of tho
things that is the matter with this great
basic industry 1T u.s." he says .'unthink-
able that with our vast areas. our unparal-
lelcd endowment OF agricultural resources,
our fertility of soil our vast home market
and the great ability and resourcefulncss of
our farmers we should accept the status of
distinctly industrial nation. Our destiny
seems TO require that we should be n we'll
rounded nation with high development OF
both industry and agriculture, supporting
one another and prospecting together"
In that statement, the President put his
finger on the fundamental cause that has
cnused agriculture to langush throughout
all the years since the Republican party
FIRST came into power in the government.
The country's agricultural interests have
been grossly Disseminated against by Iegis-
lation which has tended to make this an in
dustrial nation at the expense of those who
till the soil. Heavy burdens have been i'm
posed on our agricultural population, while
favors in the way OF tariff benefits have
been showered upon the industrial sections
o! the country to their enrichment. That
policy must be changed, and If the admins
tration is sincere in its professed solictudc
for the farmers II will lose no time in maxi
ing the change