The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1924-02-22
President Coolidge Proposes
Five Methods to Relieve
Present Farm Conditions

OOOilu5t has taken dCllOn III very
positive way to relieve the distressing
conditions in agricultural sections of
the West and Northwest, which, as he
states, threaten to engulf in ruin the
mercantile and financial interests of
that section of the United States.
In a special message to Congress,
which came as a distinct surprise to
the country, the President gave to the
legislative branch of the governmen emit
his opinion as TO methods necessary
to relieve the crisis in agricultural
and livestock circles west of the
Mississippi river. The message
shows that the President has been
giving the most intense study to this
situation
The methods proposed would neces-
state some legislation by the Con-
gress, great deal of work by the
executive agencies of the government
and whole hearted and practical coop
GRAFTON from the mercantile, financial
and industrial interests of the country
which are dependent upon agriculture
in large measure for their prosper
ity.
The legislative end of the program
would consist in extending the life
and functions Of the War Finance
corporation and enacting a law Great
ing federal fund that would enable
the farmers to engage Immediately in
diye-sification of crops.
The executive end of the program
would consist in the restoration of
impaired capital by banking institu-
tions In agricultural sections and the
cooperation of government agencies
with private interests in setting up
new institutions of financing for the
purpose Of assisting the bankrupt ag-
ricuNural and livestock interests to
their feet and to tide them over a
period Of years.
The part that private interests are
to play. and must play if the agri-
cultural situation is TO be relieved, is
stressed in the Presidents message.
Without blinking the facts. he points
out the necessity of business interests.
insurance corporations, agricultural
supply houses, large mercantile estab-
hshments. railroads and banks getting
together for the purpose of underwrit-
ing in legitimate way the agricultur-
al situation He points out that there
Is a distinct limit to the assistance
that the federal government can rend-
er. but that private interests. by pull
ing together. can play a very import
ant part in the restoration OF normal
conditions in agricultural center. and
that It is to their interest to do this
because their welfare is immediate ely
connected with the welfare OF the
farmer. Specifically, the recommend
atoms OF President Coolidge were:
The refunding OF present overdue in
debtedness OF farmers in territory
most seriously affected.
Financial assistance through a fed
eTal agency 10 enable wheat farmers
to make an immediate change from a
single crop system to diversified
farming
Extension OF time and functions Of
the War Finance corporation.
Restoration, wherever it may be
needed. and can be done, of the i'm
paired capital OF banking institutions
in agricultural communities.
The creation by private capital
furnished by the diversified enter
prises OF a substantial financial cor
poration to assist in the work of tiding
over agricultural and livestock sections
until such time as they are or their
feet.
The text OF President Coolidge's
message to Congress urging farmer re
lief measures reads:
To the Congress OF the United
States:
The economic situation in certain
wheat growing sections OF the North
west is reaching an acute stage that
requires organized cooperation on the
part OF the federal government and
the local institutions OF that territory
for its solution. In my message OF
December 6, 1928. stated:
The distress is most acute among
those wholly dependent upon one
crop. Wheat acreage was greatly ex-
panded and has not yet been sutfi-
GENTLY reduced A large amount is
raised for export which has to meet
the competition in the world market
OF large amounts raised on land much
cheaper and much more productive.
"Diversification is necessary. Those
farmers who raise their living on their
land are not greatly in distress. Such
loans as are wisely needed TO assist
buying stock and other materials to
start in this direction should be fin
anced through n government agency
as temporary and emergency eN-
pedient"