Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-22
HOMECOMING SPEECH
TEXT OF HOOVER'S

In the Ola Gays Whcn prices HNCtu-
ated in the Chicago market at most
they affected only 20 per cent of the
income Of the farm. A violent drop In
prices could reduce the family income
by only 4 or 5 per cent. Today tho
same fiuetuation in price. affecting a;
1t does 30 per cent TO 100 per cent OF
the products of the farm, can take IS
or so per cent away from the family
net. income and make the difference
between comfort end freedom from
anxiety. or, on the other hand, debts
and discouragements.
Il do not suggest return to the
greater security which agriculture en-
joyed In It's earlier days, because with
that security were lower standards of
living, greater TOLL less opportunity for
leisure and recreation, less OF the COM
forts Of home, less of the JOY of living
Longs for Old Times.
Il am often conscious of sentimental
regret for the passing of those old-time
conditions, l have sometimes been as
homcSick for the ways of those self
contained farm homes of 40 years ago
as have been for the kindly folk who
lived in them. But know it is no more
possible to revive those old conditions
than 1t is to summon back the relatives
and friends in thu cemetery yonder
While we recognize and hold fast to
what is permanent in the old time
conditions, We must accept what Is in
evitable in the changes that have taken
place. 1t Is fortunate indeed that the
principles upon which our Government
was founded require no alteration to
meet these changes.
Inst there ic tronSfnr,,4o tioYN
in agriculture SO there is In other In
dustry; Just as there Is more speciali-
zations on the farm. so there is in other
industry. We live today by the ex-
change of goods among 10000 sorts of
producers of specialities. A large num-
Der of occupations which were conducted
on the farm in old days are now con-
Quoted in the factory. That is one
reason why We have a decreasing pro-
portion of our people on the farms. BY
this revolution the American farmer has
become enmeshed in powerful and yet
delicate economic forces which are
working to his disadvantage.
Farmer Control"
In my acceptance speech 10 days
ago / made an extended statement upon
the legislative proposals for relief to the
agricultural industry which the Repub-
licar party has put forward in its plat
form. You would not wish me to take
your time 10 review that statement. l
should. however, like to emphasize that
the spirit OF those legislative proposals
is to work out more economical and
stable marketing system.
"A Federal farm board is to be set up,
with the necessary powers and resources
10 assist the industry to meet not alone
the varied problems of today but those
which may 'arise in the future. My
fundamental concept of agriculture is
one controlled by its own members,
organized to fight its own economic
battles and to determine its own
destinies.
Nor do I speak Of organization in
the narrow sense of traditional farm
co-operatives or pools but IN the much
wider sense OF sound marketing or
ganization 1t Is not by these proposals
intended TO put the Government in the
control of the business of agriculture,
nor TO substitute the prices OF farm
products and pay the losses thereon
either by the Federal Treasury or by a
tax or fee on the farmer We propose
with Governmental assistance and an
initial advance of capital TO enable the
agricultural industry to reach stature
of modern business operations by which
the farmer will attain his independence
and maintain his individuality.
And upon this whole question
should like to repeat from my accept
ance speech that:
"Most Vital Problem"
1.-The working out of agricultural re-
lief constitutes the most important OBJ
legation cf The next administration. The
object OF our policies is to establish for
our farmers an income equal to those
Of other occupations: for the farmers
wife the same comforts in her home as
women In other groups. for the farm
boys and girls the same opportunities
IN life as other boys and girls. So far
as my own abilities NAV BE- of service.
dedicate them TO help secure pros
perity and eontertment in that industry
where / and my forcfathers were born
and nearly all my family still obtain
their livelihood
In formulating recommendations for
legislation TO carry out the proposals of
the party. trust that we may have the
fun assistance OF the leaders of agri-
cultural thought / am not insensibie
to the value of the study which sincere
farm leaders have given TO this ques-
ton of farm legislation. They have all
contributed to the realization that the
problem must be solved They will be
invited into conference. Outstanding
farmers such as Gov. Lowden, will be
asked to Join in the search for common
ground upon which We can act.
Need Waterwayx
Il had thought today TO particularly
point out the importance of the develop
ment OF Our interior waterways as bear
Ing on the prosperity not only of agri-
culture but OF the whole of our Midwest
business and commerce. II Is most
important supplement TO agricultural
relief. The necessarily large advances
in railway rates from the war initiate
against the economic setting of this
whole interior section
This, together with the completion
OF the Panama Canal and the fact that
ocean rates have increased but little
since before the war, further disturbs
the whole economic relationship of the
Midwest. 1t IN as II a row OF toll gates
had been placed around this whole sec
ton Of our country 1t seriously af-
fects the farmer. think we can
accept it as an economic fact that the
farmer on most occasions pays the
freight on his products II Is a dednc-
ton from The ultimate price; you your
self can attest this.
In general way, the centerpoint Of
markets is overseas or the Atlantic sea-
board. where prices are determined by
the meeting Of streams Of world prod
ucts. For Every hundred miles you are
removed from these market centers the
price Of farm products is lower by the
amount Of freight rates, Some caicula-
lions which ] made few years ago
showed that the increase In railway
TURNS