The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-12-08
Agricultural Problems

No doubt the position or agrt-
culture as a whole has very much
improved since the depression of
three and four years ago. But
there are many localities and
MANY groups of individuals, ,ap-
parently through no fault of their
own. sometimes due to climatic,
conditions and sometimes to the
prevailing price Of a certain CROP
still in a distressing condition.
This Is probably temporary, but
it is none the less acute. Nation
al Government agencies, the De-
partments Of Agriculture and Com
merce. the Farm Loan Board, the
intermediate credit banks. and the
F sderal Reserve Board are all CO.
)eratino to be Of assistance and
ralief. On the other hand, there
are localities and individuals who
have had one Of their most pros
porous wears. The general price
level is fair. but here again there,
are exceptions both ways, some
items being poor while others are
excellent. In spite Of lessened
production the farm income for
this wear will be about the same
as last year and much above the
three preceding years.
Agriculture is a very complex
industry. It does not consist Of
one problam, but OF several. They.
can not be solved at one stroke.
They have to be met in different
ways, and small gains are not to
be despised.
Don't Care For Needing
It has appeared from all the
Investigations that I have been
able to make that the farmers as
a whole are determined to main.
tain the independence Of their
business They do not wish to
have meddling on the part Of the
Government or to be placed under
the inevitable restrictions involved
in any system OF direct or indirect
price-fixing, which would result
from permitting the Government
to operate in the AGRICULTURAL mar
kets. They are showing a very
commendable skill in organizing
themselves to transact their own.
business through cooperative mar.
keting, which will this year turn
over about 50, 5000. 900, or. near
iy one-fifth Of the total agricul-
tural business. In this they are
receiving help from the Govern
ment. The Department Of Agri-
culture should be strengthened IN
this facility, In order to be able
to respond when these marketing
associations want help. While 1t
ought not to Undertake undue
regulation, Il should be equipped
to give prompt information on
crop prospects, supply, demand, !;
current receipts, imports, exports,
and prices. ''fe
A bill embodying these prin-
ciples, which has been drafted
under the advice and with the APP
proval Of substantially all the
leaders and managers in the CO.
operative movement, will be pre-
scented to the Congress for its eIa-
actment. Legislation ehould also,
be considered to provide for leas--
ing the unappropriated public do
main for grazing purposes and
adopting = uniform policy rela-
tive to grazing on the public
lands and in the national forests.
MOre Cooperation Needed
A more intimate relation should
be established between agriculture,
and the other business, activities
OF the Nation. They are mutually
dependent and can each advance
their own prosperity most, by ad.
vancing the prosperity Of the
other. Meantime, the Government
will continue tn ose activities
which, have resulted in an UNI
precedented amount % legislation
and the pouring out Of great
sums Of money during the last
five years. The work for good
roads, better land and water
transportation increased support
for agricultural education, ex-
tension OF credit facilities through
the Farm Loan Boards and the
intermediate credit banks, the en-
cOuragement of orderly marketing
and q repression OFF, wasteful
speculation will all be continued.
Following every other depres-
sion. after short period the
price of farm produce has taken
and maintained the lead in the
advance. This advance. had
reached a climax before the war.
Everyone Will recall the discus
sion that went on for four or
five years prior. to 1914 concern
ing the high cost Of living. The
history Is apparently beginning
to repeat itself. While wholesale
prices have been declining, farm
i prices have been increasing.
There f.. every reason to suppose
that new era in agricultural
prosperity lies just before US.
which win probably be unprece-
denied.