The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-02-13
Coolidge Says Nations
Prosperity Dependent on
Healthy State of Farms

ton should be given to agriculture.
This is an interest on which IT Is
estimated that more than 40.OOO,OOO
OF our people are directly or indirect.
| " dependent. Ii represents an in
vestment several times as large as
that OF all the railroads of the coun-
try. L has an aggregate production
of over sS 5000, ,000 900 each year. Yet
with all these vast resources of pro
duetion and consumption. and the
vast purchasing power for the prod
uets Of the farm. which Is represented
by the prosperity Of our industry and
commerce, with here and there an
exception. agriculture as whole
languishes.
Distribution Neglected.
Production has outrun the power
Of distribution and consumption. The
farm population is not increasing.
but the improved methods OF tillage
and inventions in farm machinery
have all contributed TO increase the
per pita output. 1t is in this direc-
ton that the agricultural schools and
colleges have placed their major efn.
substantially all on the side Of i'm
proved methods Of production and
none on the side Of distribution. con
sumption. and marketing.
When there is a difficulty which
affects so large a population. so large
an area. and so important an interest
as that of agriculture 1t is distinctly
a national question. 1t scarcely needs
to be pointed out that agriculture IS
of vital Importance to our country.
1t is the primary source Of sustenanee,
industry, and wealth. Everyone ought
10 know that it is basic and funda-
mental. Without a healthy. produc-
tive and prosperous agriculture, there
can be no real national prosperity. L
IS perfectly obvious that there is
something radically wrong when
agriculture is found in it's present
state Of depression at a time when
manufacturing transportation and
commerce are on the whole in a re
Inarkable state OF prosperity.
. No one would deny, / suppose. that
! industrisHs we are very fiourishing.
Every standard by which prosperity
is measured. whether 1t be produc-
ton, movement Of freight, corporate
earnings. employment OF labor. or
: bank clearfngs. all point TO the same
conclusion. Disregarding the alb
: normal wartime condition. for every
important enterprise save agriculture
: the year 1928 undoubtedly holds the
r record. Earnings have been very
greatly increased. and excep; here
and there as in the case Of sons
railroads must be looked upon With
great deal of satisfaction.
But agriculture has only partially
revived. Its position has been I'm
proved. and the returns for the year
are nearly 90 per cent In excess ~
two years ago. But the great food
staples do not sell on parity With
the products OF industry. Their aver
age price is little above the prewar
level. While manufactures are shoue
|. so per cent higher. The farmer Is
not receiving his share.
The result has been decrease in
the value Of farm lands. the chek-
: ing Of the avenues Of credit With
obligations which are worthless or
J doubtful. the foreclosure Of mort
cages, and the suspension Of lars
number Of banks. To this depression
there have been ether contrbUting
causes. but the main difficulty has
been the price Of farm produce.
Entire Nation Dependent.
Very likely you are wondering vhs
agriculture should be discussed he's
: in this metropolis. One rea son is thaf
want to emphasize as forcihly a,
possible your intimate dependence
upon agricultural welfare. That xrea
. interest cannot he affected Withoul
the necessity Of your heins affected
The farm is one of the chief markets
for the industries OF the nation. You
have direct economic and financial
/, interest. You can not long prosper
, With that great population and gres .
area in distress.
You have a political interest. The
= people Of those numerous states eas;
r an enormous influence upon the max.
!, Ing Of the laws by which yeu al.
= governed
:. tnsound economic conditions ar.
. not conductive to sound legislation
The farm has y social value which
I can not ne overestimsted. II is the
a natural home OF liberty and the sun.
a port OF courage and character. In
e all the nation il Is the chief abiding
}. place Of the spirit of Independence
c | do not need 70 dwell upon the
/. moral requirement for the equitable
4 distribution OF prosperity and the re.
i lief ot distress by the application .,
0 every possible and sound remedy.
q This problem Is not merely th-
:. problem of the agricultural sections
/. of our country; il IS the problem
s likewise az industry. Of transports.
!. uon. Of commerce. and OF banking
\ ] bring Il 70 you because know thar
I in part /, is your problem. have
c already encouraged organization and
I cooperative marketing that organized
r agriculture may cope with organized
h industry. I have promoted tariff in
!. Vestigations for Increased rates ~
+ wheat have extended relief through
: tho War Finance corporation and the
4 federal reserve hank system.
. I shall net row discuss the details
!. ~ legislation or enter unou a pcesen.
tation Of peculiarly agricultural rene.
5 dies made Specific reccmmendS.
1 tienS in my message 10 the congress.
and there are hills pending fer car.
q rving my suggestions into etfeet
& What am usost anxious 20 lniprcSs
4 Fa.s aH,I..