Evening star., 1928-11-22

ward he explained that he would press
for immediate action on his own pro-
gram, which follows broadly along the
lines of the McNary- -Haugen bill, with
the equalization bill eliminated.
The National Grange also received
another important message affecting
agricultural conditions today from
Aaron w. Watts, recently appointed
director of parcel post, who gave the
official assurances of the Post ONCE
Department that there is absolutely
no disposition on the part of the pres
ent administration to increase parcel
post rates.
ST want to emphasize that fact"
said Mr.. Watts, because of the wide
spread newspaper reports to the con-
trary.
Statement of Watts.
'"The chief hope of the department
lies in increasing the volume and in
cidentally the revenue of parcel post
without proportionately increasing the
cost of handling and transportation,
he said. 1T will be the policy of the
Post Office Department to get parcel
post business wherever it can be found,
employing every available means to
that end within the category of strict
business ethics
''To those who protest that the Gov
ernment should not engage in business
in competition with private business
the answer will be that the Post Off1ce
Department is already so engaged; that
Congress placed the department in
direct competition with transportation
systems operated for profit; that the
department must employ business
methods to make the system self
supporting, and that an aggressive cam
paign for an increased volume of buSi-
ness is a legitimate move designed to
serve the interests of the public.
This is new departure, but progress
demands new methods" Director Watts
declared.
of this new business from rural sections
in increased movement of fancy farm
products and asked the National Grange
to cooperate in this effort.
Senator Outspoken.
Senator McNary was outspoken in
his belief that Congress should waste
no time in enacting a farm-relief pro-
IF this thing is delayed until Spring
any legislation that Congress passes
viii not go into effect until 1929 and
that would be too late" he said. "Of
course, If, for political reasons, Con-
gresS does not get around to it this
term, then it must be dealt with at
an extra session called for the purpose"
In event of failure to complete farm
legislation at the regular session, Nc
Nary said at least a good start could
be made no the program, which would
expedite matters in special session.
Realizing the futility of trying to pass
an equalization fee measure in the face
of administration opposition, McNary is
working out his own plan for agricul-
tural relief, which follows broadly the
general program laid down by the Ma
tional Grange and Secretary of Agri-
culture Jardine. Such program would
put into operation machinery for a
board to handle the exportable surplus,
the debenture plan being regarded as
having the best chances for enactment
The report of the committee on trans
portation was before the Grange dele
gates today.
Transportation Report.
"The entire freight structure must
be investigated" the report said in deal
ing with railroads, with the idea of
revising it to reflect absolute fairness
to agriculture, before any increases in
freight rates on the products of agri-
culture be granted. Agriculture is not
IN position at the present time to
stand any increase in freight costs"
Establishment of truck and bus
transportation upon highways was de-
clared in the report to be another
economic problem for regulation" and
should remain under the jurisdiction of
State regulatory bodies.
TKe report also recommended eX-
pansion of the air service and contin-
ued maintenance and Improvement of
the merchant marine as an indispens-
able service for the marketing of farm
products.
Leadership Emphasized.
Leadership and organization among
farmers to help improve the economic
status of the industry were stressed as
outstanding needs by two speakers late
Yesterday before joint meeting of the
National Grange and the. Association
of Land Grant Colleges
Louis j. Taber, National Grange mas
ter. declared that agriculture was in
crying need of leadership, and that
there ought to be brain plus Drawn"
in the farmers efforts to help them
selves out of the present agricultural
depression. He cited the Land Grant.
Colleges as being the natural sources
of such leadership.
There ought to be an efficient and
powerful organization of farmers to
supplement the work of other farm in
stitutions. such as the Department of
Agriculture with its many experimental
stations and scientific and research
department" he said.
re-, A - -as~
work of the Department of Agriculture,
who addressed the conventions after
noon session as the representative of
Secretary Jardine declared that farm
cooperative organizations, when able
to incorporate and issue capital stock,
are thus able to do business on equal
terms with other industries.
Calls Organization Essential
Sound business organization along
these lines is essential to successful
marketing" he said.
Secretary Jardine, who attended the
convention although not making an ad-
dress, presented the keys of the Depart
ment of Agriculture to J. L. Hills,
president of the Association of Land
Grant Colleges, who presided over the
joint meeting.
HOOver'S Message.
At the night meeting a letter from
Herbert Hoover thanking the Grange
for its telegram, sent last week, of con-
gratulations on his election to the
presidency was read by National Master
TabeF.
The letter, addressed to Tsber,
follows.
II wish to thank you for your tele-
gram conveyeing the resolution of the
National Grange. / would be greatly
indebted to you If you would transmit
to your colleagues my appreciation for
their congratulations and good wishes.
r. w. Dunlop, Assistant Secretary OF
Agriculture will give q dinner tonight