The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-03-08
Hoover Plans
Foreign Trade
Investigation
Commerce Department to Con.
duct Inquiry Into Conditions
as Affecting Farmers of
United States.

Washington, March 7-Exporters
of agricultural products and repre-.
sentatives of agricultural organiza-
tions are being asked by the Com
merce department. Secretary Hoover
announced tonight. to serve on a spe-
cial commission that will investigate
the foreign trade outlook for farmers
Under an appropriation of $500, 900
made by congress to investigate what
combinations are in existence or IN
process Of formation abroad ito hold
up the price of raw products, such as
rubber. which are imported into the
United States in large quantities. and
to consider whether rfow sources of
supply can be developed on American
soil. the department also was au.
thorized TO make a special study of
the international trade situation with
respect TO agriculture.
The commission now being formed
whose membership will be announced
shortly. will plan and direct the in.
vestigation.
Will Seek Remedy.
Agricultural produce comprises
about one-half OF our total exports. :"
a department statement said. Dur.
ing the last three years there has been
an apparently slight over.production
in the United States which seriously
affects agricultural prices. and the
question arises as TO how. temporarily.
this situation may be remedied and
what the future prospects, are.
During the 10 years before 1918.
our production did not keep up with
our consumption and the increased
consumption was reflected in a dc.
creasing margin Of exportable sur.
plus 10 an average OF about $500
600 tons per annuJn. just before the
war. In the 10 years since that time.
production has steadily Increased. not
only sufficiently to provide for f5s-
100000 increase in population. but 50
that exports have increased 10 about
II .0o0, 900 tons per annum.
In the meantime the farmer popu.
lation has not Kept pace with the
general population. there having been
hbt little increase in the number of
farmers.
Increase in Production.
The increased agricultural produe-
tion is due. TO nearly 20 per cent in
crease output per farmer. This is.
in the turn, apparently due TO steady
Improvement in agricultural science
and mechanical appliances and is per-
haps contributed TO by n run OF favor.
ably climatic conditions. The lowered
production OF Europe. especially OF
Russian. has contributed to create
the enlarged market for this sufpluS
abroad.
1T Is proposed that there should
be an exhaustive investigation Of the
facts as 10 the proportion Of exports
TO the total Of each crcl1. those facts
which bear upon the trend OF In
creased production and increasing con.
sumption at home. the general sAft-
ing In the worlds demand for DIFF
ferent food stuffs. the tendency Of
agricultural production abroad. the
finance OF exports. the bearing of
various trade factors upon the whole
question OF foreign marketing. the
better preparation OF produce for for
slgn markets and aid 10 exports. the
of shipment 10 destina
tons instead OF rehandling in foreign
countries. and various fnotors OF the
changing character Of markets which
the. American farmers must meet"