Evening star., 1928-12-01


Secretary of Agriculture Jardine in his
annual report submitted to the Presi-
dent today that 1T Is beyond question
that 1928 will 60 down In American
agricultural history as a year of
achievement"
Although Secretary Jardine points
out that the gross. income from agri-
culture this year will be we'll above the
1929 total of $12,253, 900 600, he does
not minimize in his annual review of
the situation the need of remedial
legislation, particularly for the control
of recurring surpluses of farm products,
so as to minimize price fluctuations.
On the contrary he coupled his refer
ence to the income forecast with the
statement that this does not mean
that agricultural grievances are insub-
Stantial, nor does 1t mean that the
remedy for these very real difficulties
should be left to the free play of eco
nomic forces.
1.-The situation from which agricul-
ture Is still suffering has complex eco
nonlic, social and other roots" he says.
"For these the Nation cannot escape
Its just share of responsibility in that
its officials advocated overwhelming eX-
pansion of production during the war.
In like manner, the Nation must accept
its share of responsibility in seeking
and applying sound and adequate
relief.
Entitled to Help.
practical governmental help In rebuild
ing its fortunes on firm and perma-
nent foundation"
The need for additional Office space,
the Secretary points out, will be met
by the acquisition of land adjoining the
departments reservation on the Mall
and the erection of large modern
Office and laboratory buildings. Con-
gress has authorized an appropriation
of $5,750, 900 for this purpose, of which
$2,200,000 already has been appro-
priated.
an viewing the developments Of the
department during the past four years"
the report adds, ut Is difficult to select
any one Of greater importance than
the progress now being made in meet
ing the housing situation"
Secretary Jardine makes pointed ref
erence to the "deplorable" housing ste
uation of the department in Washing
ton, resulting In delays and confusion"
in the transaction of public business by
reason of the scattering Of the 10 major
units in 40 buildings. All the Offices
and laboratories In Washington, he says,
should be concentrated as rapidly as
possible. "An essential part Of a per-
manent program. to meet the need of
adequate housing is provision for fu-
ture growth" he says. Occupation
of the central administration building
provided by Congress by the Spring OF
1890, the report adds, will permit such
a concentration of general administra-
tive and business units Of the depart
ment.
Offers inducements.
With the increases in salaries author
lied under the WEIGH act, the Secretary
points out, the department is In more
favorable position than ever before to
offer substantial inducements to quail
fled research men to enter the service.
During the fiscal year l0l employees
were retired on an average annuity OF
$8074
While advocating farm relief, Secre-
tary Jardine, however, takes no stand
on the pending question whether Con-
gress should devote its attention to
program at the forthcoming short ses-
sion or whether the relief should be
applied during a special session, at
which there. would be greater oppor-
tunity to consider all phases OF the agrt-
cultural situation.
"The betterment of agriculture ne
cessitates a combination Of individual
efficiency, cooperative enterprise and
wise public policy" the report adds.
without offering any hard and fast
relief proposal, having presented his
veiwS in detail last year, the Secretary
suggests that farmers could benefit
themselves by giving major at
tention to quality production. He de-
voted most Of his discussion OF legisla-
ton to the need of solving the surplus
problem, which he declared to be OF
vital importance not only to agricul-
ture, but to the Nation as whole"
The making of this solution in some
measure a governmental responsibility,
he points out, need not involve going
further than the Government already
has gone in aid Of other economic inter-
eStS.
Legislation Discussed.
Discussing agricultural legislation, he
draws attention to laws already enacted,
such as the cooperative marketing act
of July 2, 1926; the agricultural credits
act of 1923 and statutes in 28 States
authorizing formation Of cooperative
associations. Much has already been
done by this and similar legislation. he
argued, toward improving the situation
of the American farmer.
In the fields Of farm credits and crop
insurance the secretary found the
greatest need for future improvement,
though he felt that the Federal farm
loan system and intermediate credit
banks have already greatly increased
safety and stability. Much has been
done in recent years." he says, Ito i'm
prove agriculture's credit facilities, but
much remains to be DONE"
Mr.. Jardine'S optimistic outlook took
into consideration his notation that "in
value our agricultural exports for the
year were per cent less than those
of the preceding year and were the
smallest in the last five years." He set
forth that agricultural exports amount
ed to only 38 per cent Of the total and
explained that cotton exports fell off
80 per cent In volume, wheat 6 per
cent, and that apples and pork prod
uctS, both leading export items, showed
reduced totals. Barley, corn, rice, to-
bacco and pruneS, however, showed en-
couraging export increases.
Record In Some Sections.
In spite of bad weather conditions
in some sections, he says, the acreage
of crops harvested was the largest ever
recorded, and 100000 acres above the
4SHG VOOnA. 4 Ac1uS pck dCICO AuOACOVCA1
were ''about per cent above the aver
age for the last 10 years and about IT
per cent above those of last year."
His estimate of gross income he based
on conspicuous betterment in the live
stock industries, the increased income
from. which he believes will more than
counterbalance lowered returns to be
expected from cash grains, hay, tobac-
co and potatoes.
General improvement In the liYe
stock industry. in which all its branches
shared, was the most outstanding de-
veIopment in the 1928 agricultural sit
uation," the report says. Cattle prices
continued the advance which started