Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-07-18
New Members Or
ganize, Legge Is
Named Secretary
Program And Policies Still
Unsettled Says New
Secretary
Importance of New Subsid-
larry Groups To Be
Stressed

Washington, July 15.-Handling of
the wheat crop probably viii be the
first subject to be taken up by the
federal farm board, members of that
body stated today after its organi-
cation.
The farm board created by con-
gress to aid agriculture came into
existence today when President Hoov-
er, at the initial meeting, outlining
the vast problems, stressed the val
ue Of the establishment Of farmer
owned co-operatives $50 wisely de-
vised and soundly founded and we'll
managed that they will grow in
strength" and succeed in placing ag-
riculture 'on an economic parity
with other industry"
In briefly sketching this problem,
the President warned the farmer not
to expect economic restoration over
night and advised the building of
solid organizations on old founda-
tions so that they would be lasting.
Eight of the nine members of the
farm board chosen thus far were
present today to effect organization.
Alexander Legge, former head Of
the International Harvester Co., who
was designated as chairman in his
| appointment, presided at today's
meeting. James C.. Stone of Ken
tucky, vice chairman, probably will
become head Of the board pom the
expected retirement Of Mr.. Legge at
the end Of the first year of the
boards work. c. +. Christensen OF
the division of cooperative mar
ketlng of the department Of agri-
culture was made permanent secre-
tary.
Mr.. Legge said that policies and
plan of organizing the boards activi-
ties were not discussed today. He
said that the members had devoted
themselves to getting acquainted
and selecting a secretary He said
that the subject was so vast that the
board proposed to proceed slowly and
therefore decided to get the frame
work Of an organization before laying
down a program.
"Will the wheat situation be CON
sidered first and co-operatives built
up to aid in this years crop?" Mr..
Legge was asked
Nothing has been decided as to
our program" he said. Gut | hope
that wheat will come up among the
first crops"
1t was indicated by secretary
Hyde, who was present, that the
wheat problem naturally would not
be given much consideration until
a member to represent that branch
of farming had been appointed to
the board. He said that the Presi-
dent had had difficulty in selecting
a wheat man because of disagree
ment among the wheat grain eleva-
tor interests and the wheat pool fac
ton AS soon as the wheat repre-
sentative is named the feeling is that
the board will Immediately appoint
a commodity council and through
this organization will make loans to
the co-operatives and the wheat CO.
operatives will be the first to re-
ceive government aid.
Members of the board pointed out
today that subsidiary organization
must be effected by that body dur
ing the next few weeks. Advisory
councils are to be named to aid the
board in its consideration of the
problem before each major agricul-
tural branch. Sterilization corpora
tions are to be established through
the cooperative agencies. Within
the next few days each member viii
be assigned particular task upon
which he will report to the board.
In the meanwhile, the agricultur-
al department is preparing for the
heavy drafts upon it which the
board will make. Secretary Hyde
said he expected the department
would carry on most Of the boards
research work. For immediate op-
erations of the board $151 100000
has been made available. When
more of the five hundred million re-
volving fund authorized is required
it will be appropriated by congress.
Mr.. and Mrs. Walter RaesS of this
cifv pnioNpd n visit from, NJ, n