Evening star., 1927-12-03
Unity of Action Needed.


The need for unity of action in
agriculture is generally recognized,
but opinions differ as to means of
getting it. the Secretary said.
Some would assign the task of di-
Tectiy controlling this or that phase
of economic life to the Government"
he declared. They would have the
Government either merchandise farm
products or enter into agricultural
business in some other way. | need
not reiterate my opposition TO this
view. Such a policy would be detri-
mental to the farmers. and in the
long run would jeopardiZe the legiti-
mate functions of Government.
Il believe that what is necessary
can be obtained by the joint effort
OF organized farmers, with the Gov
ernment giving such assistance as it
may safely give and protecting the
public interest by laying down broad
rules of policy"
THE best way to visualize the fu-
ture of agriculture, as of any indus
try, is to examine and apply the eX-
amples of its recent past" Mr.. Jar
dine declared IF the farmer has
tackled his problems sensibly and
energetically, with resulting increase
OF efficiency in both production and
considered good. This he has done
In manner which has no historic
parallel. Technical progress in
American agriculture has taken
place at an extraordinary rate since
the close of the World War, and in
consequence the productivity of the
individual farmer has been increased,
while at the same time the agricul-
tural industry as a whole. through
the shifting of crop enterprises. has
been better adapted to its market
conditions.
Many Changes Undergone.
'Tn the nine years since the World
War ended our agriculture has un-
dergone far-reaching changes that
have materially increased the output
of both land and labor. This aug
nented production has been obtained
on decreased crop acrea ge and with
fewer farm workers. Here is evi-
dence that agriculture has not lacked
yigor or resourcefulness in the try
ing years of the postwar depression.
Here also is an aueury of its future
prosperity. Farm efficiency has been
Increasing, and efficiency in produc-
tion coupled with better adjustment
OF production to market require
tural prosperity"
Discussing proposed national farm
legislation of the last few years, Mr.
Jardine said many of the proposals
made were fundamentally unsound
The study and discussion devoted to
the question, however. he felt had
been. on the whole. beneficial.
The public has gained better
understanding of farm problems, and
-.
acted A large part of the farm
problem-which in fact consists of
many problems-must he solved by
the individual and cooperative ef-
forts of the farmers themselves.
However. there is need for legisla-
tion to give further encouragement
10 large agricultural business organ
fzations owned and controlled by
farmers and managed by strong
business executives chosen by the
producers
States Could Help.
A great deal could be done by the
States themselves. said Mr. Jardine.
to put agriculture on a stronger
economic basis. especially in State
and local banking, taxation and pub
b. expenditures in their relation to
agriculture. The tariff on agricul-
tural products should insure the home
market. as far as possible to the
American farmer, he said
1T should be possible by impartial
study of the manner in which tariff
duties affect different commodities
TO devise means of increasing this
benefit said Mr.. Jardines report.
"Trustworthy statistics are not
available 10 show the degree to
which the advantages Of the tariff
10 agriculture are offset by disad :
Xantages due TO its effect on the
commodities that farmers buy. Any
discrimnat tion which may exist
should be ascertaned and corrected.
III order to get the best results from