Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-26
FARM ENGINEERING
BUREAU IS SOUGHT
House Committee on Agricul-
ture to Study Problem
After Recess.

When farm relief legislation is I'm.
der consideration by the House COM
naittee on agriculture soon after Con-
Sress returns from the holiday recess.
the proposal to promote the present
division Of agricultural engineering
in the Bureau Of Public Roads to the
status OF a separate bureau or asri-
tural engineering in the Department
OF Agriculture. will be urged.
The inheritance Of this move aireadv
has been discussed in conferences OF
the engineering societies and was EN-
mia sized in a parley with President
CooliGse at Rapid City. ). OAK
August SO, by delegation from Ihe
American Society Of Agricultural En-
sineers, headed by o. {. zimmerman
the president. OF Chicago.
In the interest alike OF American
erric,Iture and Of the work IN aSrl'
cultural engineering conducted BY the
recruitment Of Agriculture. such
stem is vitality important. the Amerl-
can Encineering Council declares
Agricultural engineering is-N IS eS-
,,Ie;re5-hcing administered by the
Rrresu of Public Roads, which has
m direct interest either in aSricui-
tural engineering or agriculture. IL
lacks necessary prestige not only IN
fha Depsrtment Of Agriculture, put
also in its relations with Immigrant
COLLEGES ard with farmers.
Purposes Outlined.
Tha n,yrpose Of agricultural engi'
oeertnS is stated by the American
Society of Agricultural Engineers Ito
develop Individual and group leader
ship based on higher enciency'
greater productive capacity ana pet
ter operating practices among tnose
engaged in the promotion or raw ma
terials for food, shelter and clothing
through the application and use or
enSineering principles in the indus
trv of agriculture. The objective Is
10 create a desire for higher standards
OF living, better working conditions.
ADEQUATE educational facilities and
equitable social progress"
As these conditions are oasic IN
agriculture, as they are so ciosely
related TO living general standards,
the :hreshing out of this question Is
considered the first task for the House
committee on agriculture.
The American Engineering Council
emphasizes that the immediate needs
for farming are greater returns and
n higher standard Of living for the
tanned more quickly. the council
insists. through increased application
Of engineering principles TO agricul~
ture. 4 bureau OF agricultural engi.
neering could do more to further this
progress than can ever be possible
while the work is carried on under
present conditions, the council says.
Judging solely by the Importance
OF the subject, such a bureau was
needed years ago, argue those IN both
branches Of Congress who are now
pressing this proposal. Il Is doubt
ful IL any bureau in the apartment
OF Agriculture includes activities so
important TO the success of agri-
culture.
Problems Are Vital.
At the present time, agriculture Is
confronted with an unusually larg.
number OF pressing engineering prob
lems. dema nding immediate attention
IL farmers are TO maintain their posi-
ton against competition OF the agri-
cultural world. These problems are
OF such Importance that Government
participation in their solution hardly
can be handled, the council asserts.
by any organization with lesser pow
ers than those Of a bureau.
In their conference with the Presi-
dent, the delegation from the Amer
lean Society of Agricultural Engt-
ueers solicited interest in factors
which determine the farm workers
income. and asked that due regard
be given TO securing increased pro-
duction per worker and the lowering
of production costs.
The President was asked 70 fndorse
an engineering study TO be made OF
the losses in agriculture. In co-opera-
ton with the engineering council and
the Society OF Agricultural Engineers.
10 be presented at the hearings which
are 70 start soon
The engineers asked the President
10 give favorable consideration 10 the
proposed change OF the present de
vision 70 make a bureau.
r. A. Writ. past president OF the
Society OF Agricultural Engineers. re-
Gently conferred with Secretary OF
Agriculture Jsrdine, who Ii In favor
Of the proposed new bureau.