Sill;?"'" iiii;: A -jii! ■ ' I >. SI Cornell University Library S 441.A24 Report / 3 1924 000 573 083 £>tatc Collcse of glgritulturc at Cornell 'Bnibniits Stljaca. ia. S' Hilirarp V. REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF . AGRIGULTURAL AND ^^ LIVE-STOCK PRODUCERS In Consultation with the Department of Agriculture and the Food Administration, Sitting in Washington March 28 to April 4, Inclusive I u, ^■,- 'f!(^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON, D. C. 1918 ^5 ■2 W PM I, O «.&l^w » j n -t^ . . « T a w s w ■;: 5' < . » s „ & g ^ ^ ^ s rt IS . o „ « S fe ti « g 01 "O-S jj 3 Ph . g S S .Od 1 S ■nt Wilson r Raymond A don, Henry nsom, Milo '. n, and Assii £ the commi s -E « " r £ f^ Ah 1 U .2 ^ 1 ij) l^ad g REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF AGRICULTURAL AND LIVE-STOCK PRODUCERS. 'C^EE'LING the need of consultation from time to time with ■*- representative agricultural and live-stock producers of the United States, in discharging war responsibilities of food production and conservation, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Food Administrator early in March selected an Advisory Committee of twenty-four representatives of all phases of agri- cultural and live-stock production and of the typical agricul- tural regions of the United States. The committee assembled in Washington March 28 and continued in session until April 4. At the opening session statements of the functions of the committee were made by Secretary D. F. Houston and Pood Administrator Herbert Hoover, as follows: Seceetaey Houston, : All the members of the Advisory Com- mittee are present except Mr. Coker, Mr. Gentry, Mr. Pratt,' and Mr. Grattan (Mr. Gentry, Mr. Pratt, and Mr. Grattan later arrived in Washington and attended the sessions of the com- mittee; Mr. Coker was unable to be present). Following the practice in constituting committees of a similar nature, we asked Ex-Govemor Stuart, of Virginia, to come to see us and to act as chairman of the committee. We then proceeded to select representatives of the various leading agricultural activi- ties distributed geographically. We aimed to keep the size of the body within reasonable working limits. We desired to h..ve the various sections represented as well as the leading agricultural activities. It is unnecessary to say to you that we have a good many diflBcult problems. We always have such problems in produc- tion, marketing, and conservation. But in this crisis especially, we have many very unusual problems and many very perplex- 3 i UEPOKT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. ing situations. We are always glad — I am sure I may speak for the moment for Mr. Hoover as well as for myself — we are always glad to get constructive advice and assistance anywhere in the Nation. We have received much assistance, much advice. AA'e are constantly receiving it by telegram, by letter, by visits, by delegations, and by conferences which we have held from time to time both here and in various parts of the country ; but it seemed advisable to select a group of producers, a represent- ative group of producers, who would come here from time to time for conference and furnish advice not only in person but also through letter or in any other manner. Such a body, com- posed of men coming fresh from the various sections of the Union, men who are in intimate touch with the various com- munities and with the producers, can present in responsible and helpful ways the problems confronting the producers in various sections, giving us such light as we might not otherwise get, and such advice or suggestions as it may see fit to offer. NEED OF REPRESENTATIVE AGRICULTURAL OPINION. This is a big country, and there are a great many people pur- porting to represent agricultural activities and interests of the Nation. To what extent they are representative is not always clear. It is true that Washington is a place where all the waves of trouble of the Nation beat, and now many of the waves of trouble of the whole world. It therefore seems sometimes that there is nothing but trouble, that everything is going badly, and that all the people are in distress. When I leave Washington and get out among the people, as I have fre- quently done, especially recently, I get a different picture. I wonder whether in Washington I am learning the views of the vast body of substantial, patriotic farmers, or those of a different class. I think such a body as this can help us to keep a steady level view of the Nation's activities, to get a true perspective, and to ascertain true and sound opinions as to problems and conditions. In the second place, the Government's activities, the activi- ties of these departments in the field of food production, of marketing, and conservation of farm products, are very exten- sive and complex. It would be impossible in a brief time to attempt to outline the activities of this department in the KKPOET OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. O endeavor to render assistance, and those of the Food Admin- istration. Whether we are doing all that we can, whether some of the things we are doing we ought not to do, whether we ought to modify them in certain particulars — these ques- tions are open to consideration. Whether we could do some of the things better than we are now doing is another ques- tion — whether we are doing them effectively and wisely. Even if we were certain and you were certain that our course is right, it is very difficult to make clear to the people what the real purposes and the real activities are. I think very much assistance may be rendered by this body in ascertaining what the purposes and activities are in large directions, and in clear- ing up confusions that may exist throughout the N^ation. It is difficult enough to run a Government like ours, if the people see all the facts and have them adequately interpreted. It is overwhelmingly difficult to do it if they do not get the facts, but get gossip. They are getting a great deal of gossip now. ASKS committee's ADVICE ON REMEDIAL MEASURES. So far as the department is concerned, I should be very glad to have the various activities made clear to you, activities de- signed to assist and to stimulate economic production, market- ing, and the like, and especially those dealing with the definite and critical problems such as the seed situation and the farm labor situation. I seek from you especially any advice as to what further we can do to remedy adverse conditions existing. This can be done through the heads of such divisions as are dealing with these problems. 1 may say, finally, that I suppose it is generally recognized that this is an advisory body, advisory simply to this depart- ment and to the Food Administration, and not an executive body, and that so far as the executive functions are concerned they will be discharged by these two regular govei-nmental agencies. Mr. Hoover: I can not add very much to the general presen- tation by the Secretary. The Food Administration differs from the Department of Agricultui'e in a very undefined line, but we have had no difficulty in cooperating and coordinating our work. Predominantly the Food Administration is engaged 6 REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. with the business phases of foodstuffs as distinguished from production, and these phases purely from a war point of view. Our view is comparatively short ; that is, is solely for the period of the war, whereas necessarily the department has to take a long view of the whole Nation. We are dealing solely with the problems that arise from the war. Now, the war has projected into all business and all production a great number of dis- turbances, and it comes up to us to choose between various courses in endeavors to check hardship. All war is an eco- nomic degeneration, and in getting down first from one stage of degeneration to another it is our business in our particular line to adjust the movement downward as softly as we can. We are not trying to correct industry or otherwise to lay any permanent foundations of social reforms, but merely to serve the exigencies of the situation. The incidents of war on the food industries as a whole are probably more disturbing than on any other type of industry. There are the enormous de- mands for increased foods and the dislocation of shipping, of our internal transportation, and a thousand and one things that have happened and for which we must find some imme- diate solution ; something that will do for the moment. There- fore our aspect and our dealings are nine times out of ten the choice of the lesser of evils, and that conception of the work is the thing that is so little understood generally throughout the country. Everybody seems to expect an improvement in conditions rather than a choice to avoid the worst. THE QUESTION OF PRICE. The one problem where we come most in contact with the pro- ducer is the question of price. The questions of production themselves are obviously with the Department of Agriculture, but with the price questions we are constantly in contact with the most vital interests of the producer himself. Up to this time where we have had those problems we have endeavored to get in contact with the producer by building up committees and commissions of one kind or another to deal with these problems, in which the producer is fully represented. I have felt, and the Secretary agrees with me, that if we have some general com- mittee of this type to render advice and assistance we can handle these problems in a better way than by occasional and REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 7 new committees. We have a great number of problems we are anxious to discuss with you. They run in all directions and are extremely complex. The Food Administration has a great number of departments, and I am very anxious that you should get familiar with all of those departments and activities, and there is not a man or a document in the Food Administration that is not accessible to all of you. We have nothing to hide. We don't claim perfection. We claim we are making as good a struggle as possible under the adversity of war. We need, above all things, a body of sane and stable men from the producers who will consider the alternatives that are forced upon the Government in various lines of activities and advise us practically which is the best alternative, and then to give reassurance to the country that the best choice has been made, and to explain the reason why these things have been done. There is a mass of misinformation in the country that we find it utterly impossible to cheek. We are anxious to se- cure a background of stable men who, when they have agreed with us on a line of policy, will stand to it, and assist us in se- curing the confidence that it is the most advisable thing, to do. That, shortly, is the matter that is before us. I do not know that this morning we want to start to go into any of the actual problems. HOW GOVERNMENT BUYING AFFECTS PRICE. To give you an example of the complexity of the things that are before us, I will mention one matter. There is a sentiment throughout the country that the Food Administration, or the Government, rather, has some economic policy of price-fixing. That is wholly untrue ; the Government has no price-fixing pol- icy as a policy. But there have arisen here a series of condi- tions; not theories. With the shortage of ships, it has been necessary that all the ships in the world should be placed under the control of the various Governments. Following im- mediately on that was the inability of those Governments to secure a continuity of food flow through normal commercial channels of the character that they were most in need of. Every Government, one after another, has been forced to under- take the purchase of its own foodstuflfs and manage shipping. That has resulted in the buying of foods on an enormous scale, and in single hands. Following that, our Army and Navy 8 REPORT OP ADVISORY COMMITTEE. represent 2,000,000 men who consume somewhat more food- stuflEs than in private life. But the main point of it is that the bulk is bought through one hand. We find by experience here that it is necessary to coordinate that buying together with the buying for the Allies, because these two great buying agencies conflict with each other, not so much in price as they do in the problem of obtaining supplies themselves. The conse- quences were that we had to step in and coordinate those two. This buying power gets to a point where in certain commodities it dominates the market. It makes the price. Then we are brought face to face with price-fixing whether you like it or not. It is not a mere economic theory, but it is an absolute condition. When we arrive at that situation we are com- pelled to take cognizance of it from the point of view of the producer, that we could not let a consolidation of buying power operate solely for its own advantage for the moment. Because of that state of affairs we, for instance, called representatives of various swine-producing associations and others together and sought their advice as to the use of that buying power from the point of view of their production. They have made certain rdcon> mendations to us which we have tried to carry out, principally to maintain a minimum price on hogs. The ordinary amount of our buying power in supplying the Allies was insufBcient to - take the surplus of the last few weeks. The consequence has been that we have had to secure from the Allies that they shall double or treble the amount of their purchases in order that we might maintain this minimum j)rice. Had it not been for this operation I have no doubt that hogs in this situation would have gone to $10. We have got all the difftculties of internal transportation loaded on our backs in handling that material from point to point. So far we have managed to struggle through it. This may be an indication of what we require by way of a definite policy in connection with these operations. We must determine some sort of a national policy that we will follow. We all want, for many reasons, to stim- ulate the production of fats, as fats now is one of the most critical of the Allies' food supplies, and we must take the long view of it in a steady increase in production. We must protect the producer; must use these agencies to that end. EEPORT OF ADVISOEY COMMITTEE. 9 tete,, MUST PROTECT CONSUMER, TOO. There is another phase of the matter and that is that we can not allow that buying power to run riot purely in the matter of price, that we have a civil population in this country of whom probably 70 per cent are not hog producers. A large part of them are industrial workers. If we do not take care of that situ- ation there may develop in the later part of the year, during the sparse marketing season, a price of hogs that will raise the whole cost of living throughout the community, that will upset the whole wage scale now in force. We must take care not to upset our national eflaciency through a mass of strikes which would probably follow an enormous increase in the cost of foods. We must maintain some stability in the country, and we must use these engines with that point of view, so that we are between two fires — the Are of the producer and the fire of the consumer. From a national point of view, which I think you gentlemen can take as well, as broadly, as we ourselves, we have to look at this thing from the end of the ultimate good of the country as a whole, and its most effectiveness in war, because war is the job we have on hand now. That is only one type of problem we have to confront. We have problems of that character in many diff'erent lines. I am anxious to fa- miliaiHze you with these problems that you may come in con- tact with our people who are handling them from day to day. I am sure that you will find an ample opportunity for endeavor and quite a suflSciency of labor. Secretary Houston : I do not know to what extent you are familiar with the powers under which we are acting. I will be glad to have copies of the food-production act and the food- control act placed in your hands, as well as other documents indicating our activities. There is no direct price-fixing power. Congress, as you know, placed a minimum price on wheat, but left it to the President to announce the exact price and the details of the matter. There is a power of licensing, having reference to the prevention of unfair practices, discrimina- tion, and the like. The Food Administration, as I understand it, becomes immediately connected with the matter of price mainly through the fact that it is a large purchasing agent, a 10 EEPOKT OF ADVISOKY COMMITTEE. large factor in the market on the side of demand, and it seemed essential that this activity be coordinated with the activities of the Western Allies in this country for obvious reasons. SOME DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING NITRATE. We had the same sort of problem in the purchase of nitrate under the authorization from Congress. At first we could not do anything at all. There were a dozen or niore private im- porters in the country trying to secure nitrate, competing with one another, competing with the Government, the Army and the Navy, and it was very difficult to better conditions. The price, as you doubtless know, had gone to |105 a ton. It was a very difficult process to detach these long-standing enter- prises from their undertaking; and, even after we did it, we found that we had not gotten anywhere, for the simple reason that the European Allies were wanting all the nitrate any- way- — all they could get from Chile. To make a long story short, although the details of it would be interesting, we had, through diplomatic machinery, to form a consolidated nitrate purchasing agency before we could turn a wheel and get a price that was at all reasonable. Then, after we got a determina- tion of that matter, shipping difiQculties were encountered, for the simple reason that every ship that could .be gotten hold of anywhere in the world was urgently needed for something else. It was not until after very vigorous efforts, and at a clear sac- rifice and possible menace in other directions, that we are able to get an assignment of ships for the purpose of bringing in nitrate. I simply speak of this to emphasize the fact that we must coordinate activities of this sort in the public interest. As soon as this is done an element very vitally affecting price is introduced. Me. Hoover : We have another instance of that in the matter of sugar. We have a shortage in supply of sugar available to all the people at war with Germany. It was necessary that we should handle the problem as a whole from a world point of view. It might have paralyzed the West Indian sugar in- dustry if we had taken any common action against the West Indian producer, and, on the other hand, without coordination we could have put the pTice of sugar at such a figure that it REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 11 would have been a terrible drain on all our population. So the sane thing to do is to consolidate the whole of allied activity in the matter of sugar. HANDLING THE WEST INDIAN SUGAR CROP. Consequently, we set up a sugar control between all the Gov- ernments, and in this country we have na power to act on behalf of the Government, and we have to substitute a combina- tion of American sugar refineries here for the Government, and through that combined agency we purchased the entire West Indian crop. We have to determine on a distribution of that sugar among the different nations. We have to control and load the boats going out from the West Indies to all quarters, and have to regulate the matter so that there will be a fair and equal supply distributed. We have to see to it that no one makes more than a fair profit until it reaches the hands of the consumer. We did not start with the idea of economic price- fixing, but we found ourselves in a position where, because of existing conditions, we had to fix a price. We fixed the price with the Cuban Government in order that the Cuban planters would have something to say as to the price. We set a price that would stimulate the production of sugar. These things streteh into many directions. All banking associations with Cuba had been practically terminated by one financial cause after another, and we were compelled to raise in this country a sum of $100,000,000, had to go out and organize a syndicate for this purpose to get the crop moved. The ultimate result is that the American public is getting this sugar at a price less than it paid last year, and has a stable price throughout the year. That West Indian problem may have had a reaction on the produc- tion in the United States. We must take such an attitude in re- spect to it as will not disturb our own production. So we called in the Louisiana producers and settled with them, and we had to settle with the beet-sugar factories last year. We did not have to consult the beet producers last year, because they had been already, under a, contract for the year as to the price of beets. We are now coming up to the problem as to what is a fair price for beets next year. Our price of sugar more or less controls this. There is a quarrel between the beet producer and the factory very much like labor quarrels. We have to interpose J^2 REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. and settle it as amicably as possible. We have appointed com- mittees in different regions to determine what is a fair price for sugar beets based on costs of production and suflScient tq stimulate the producer. Having gotten that figure, we must get it adopted by the factory. I think we have it fairly well settled all the way around. It means a rise of three to four dollars a ton on sugar beets. We will have the same problem arising with Louisiana. I only mention these instances to show how far these things ramify our whole production. You will find that the further they go the more complex and diflSteult they get. One must look at them broadly from a national point of view and recognize that some one will be hurt at best, but many are being also hurt on the western front. COMMITTEE INVESTIGATES AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES. Following these statements and a general discussion of the time and scope of the consultation, the committee went into session, with Hon. H. C. Stuart, former Governor of Virginia, as chairman. From time to time representatives of the Food Administration, the Department of Agriculture, the War De- partment, and the Department of Labor appeared before the committee or subcommittees and entered fully into the details of all activities relating to agriculture. In addition, the com- mittee, through subcommittees, caused investigation to be made, and discussed at length the various problems which have arisen in relation to agriculture under war conditions. At the con- clusion of the meeting the committee adopted the following report : SEEDS AND GRAINS. The Department of Agriculture has assisted the extension service of the various States of the corn belt in making surveys of the seed corn available and the quantity required. These surveys have been very complete and indicate stocks of 1916 corn from which seed could be selected, also stocks of 1917 corn that could be worked over for seed. The needs of the counties in the northern part of the corn belt that are in short- age have been as closely determined as possible, and definite steps are being taken to assist in relieving the shortages by use of emergency funds, which perjnit the department to buy seed corn and sell it to farmers for cash at cost in sections where REPORT OP ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 13 special needs exist. Assistance is being rendered along this line in many States. The entire appropriation, np to March 26, available for the emergency purchase and sale of seed was only $2,500,000, so the department was limited in the extent of relief which it could render by use of the emergency funds. The urgent defl ciency act passed March 26 carried the appropriation of |4,000,- 000 for the emergency purchase and sale of seeds, and the de- partment proposes to expend such an amount from this fund as may be needed in accumulating a reserve of seed corn for late planting and replanting. The needs of the field have been considered carefully and, while it is impossible to determine the replanting requirements, conservative estimates have been placed on the needs of the various States. It is now contem- plated by the department to establish a reserve supply of seed corn at points where they can be readily distributed and uti- lized for the general need of the sections of the country to which they are adapted. The quantities above mentioned will be held tentatively for the needs of the States for which they were reserved, but it is the general plan to consider the needs of the country as a whole in accumulating reserve stocks. While it is thought that there may be some risk attached to this, it is believed that the necessity of insuring the planting of a large acreage of corn is so great that the department wouM be remiss in its duty if it failed to provide at least conservatively for late planting and replanting needs. Be it resolved: 1. We heartily indorse the action of the Secretary of Agri- culture in the appointment of the Committee on Seed Stocks, and the work that was assigned to this committee, since the results have* been of inestimable value in securing better distri- bution of seed stocks and have aided in keeping prices within reasonable figures. 2. We heartily indorse the publication of the "Seed Ee- porter" as being a timely publication of great value in assist- ing the country in learning of the stocks of seeds and their commercial movements and prices throughout- the country. 3. The national seed surveys conducted twice a year by the Bureau of: Markets and the seed reporting service are ex- tremely valuable in making it possible for both the' farmer 14 KEPOET OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. and the local seedsman to gain accurate information as to actual available supplies of seed, thereby lessening the oppor- tunity for profiteering, and we recommend that this service be made a permanent feature of the work of the Department of Agriculture. 4. The Department of Agriculture is to be congratulated on the successful efforts it has made to provide for good spring wheat seed for the farmers of the United States, and i|^ is sug- gested that similar efforts will be made by the department with regard to seed of winter wheat. 5. It is urged that the field inspection of seed grains be ex- tended as far as practicable, and that the various States be called upon to supplement the Federal appropriations that have been made for this purpose and to cooperate with the Federal agencies to the fullest extent possible. 6. In view of the increased cost of vegetable seeds and the consequent dissatisfaction existing among users of vegetable seeds, the Department of Agriculture should be requested to investigate this condition with a view ot ascertaining its cause and employing such means as are at its disposal to rectify it. 7. In view of the fact that the foreign supply of vegetable seeds is practically cut off by reason of war conditions, all growers of vegetables should be urged to save seed for them- selves as far as practicable and to conserve such supplies of seed as may come into thefa" possession. 8. We believe that the flax situation should receive special consideration by the Department of Agriculture and the sev- eral States in which it has been demonstrated that flax can be grown, and that" serious consideration should be given to the possibilities of the utilization of this plant to the fullest extent possible this year, and especially that information should be obtained as to the stocks of flax seed in* the hands of crushers with a view of making the best possible use of these stocks under the present conditions. 9. Steps should be taken immediately to conserve supplies of buckwheat seed that are now in danger of being consumed as food, and the increased planting of this crop should be urged. 10. Recognizing the importance of millet as a late seeding crop, especially in the northern Great Plains region, recom- mendations should be made to the Committee on Seed Stocks REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 15 of the Department of Agriculture to take definite steps to sup- ply necessary quantities of good stocks of miUet seed for sow- ing for seed, feed, and forage purposes. 11. We recommend the accumulation of clean, moderate- priced alfalfa seed at convenient points in the Northwest or that information be disseminated as ,to where such can be ob- tained, and that the local production of this crop be encour- aged in places where it can be economically produced, with a view to producing home-grown seed. 12. We recommend that the Bureau of Markets be more lenient in fixing the grades of wheat for the period of the war and consider carefully the proposed changes as advocated by the farmers of the wheat States. 13. The advice and information given the farmers of the Northwest in regard to the building of elevators, handling and marketing the crops of small grains, and the selection and treatment of seed wheat has been timely and hfelpful and should be highly commended. THE WHEAT SITUATION. Whereas, the weekly marketings of wheat having dropped since the middle of February to about sixty (60) per cent of normal, it appears that some farmers have been holding the 1917 wheat from market in anticipation of a larger price; Whereas, in order to fill the Allied demands and domestic consumption, it is obviously necessary that the marketing of wheat should proceed more rapidly and the available balances in the hands of the farmers should, to a large degree, reach the market by the 1st of May : 1. It is resolved, That in the judgment of this committee there should be no alteration in the price of 1917 wheat. 2. /* is fully resolved, That, if necessary, the Food Admin- istration should requisition the remainder of the 1917 crop, by whomsoever held, including farmers. 3. It is the sense of this body that a change at this time in the price of 1918 wheat could not affect the production of winter wheat at all, and would not affect the production of spring wheat this year more than ten (10) per cent. 10 ^ KEPORT OP ADVISORY COMMITTEE. I ' FERTILIZERS AND FARM MACHINERY. Ftinii machinery. — Whereas the productive capacity of human labor in the production of our staple crops has been increased 500 per cent by the use of farm machinery, the neces- sity in the present crisis for an adequate supply of all kinds of such machinery, and repairs for the same, at reasonable prices, is obvious; Whereas the price of many kinds of farm machinery has in- creased within a year to a point which leads farmers to suspect profiteering, and whereas deliveries both of machinery and repairs are so slow that farmers are handicapped in obtain- ing a necessary supply, we recommend that the Department of A.grieulture make, at the earliest possible moment, a full in- vestigation of all problems connected with farm machinery manufacture and distribution with a view to providing an ade- quate supply at prices regulated upon the basis of cost plus a reasonable profit. Fertilizers. — Whereas at least a normal supply of agricul- tural lime, rock phosphate, and commercial fertilizers should be available to the farmers of many sections of the country, to enable them to produce the largest possible amount of fruits, vegetables, and other staple crops, with the restricted supply of labor available to them, and we believe that the proper use of these fertilizers, where needed, affords the cheapest and most effective means of increasing crop yields : Therefore, be it Resolved,, That we indorse and commend the action of the Department of Agriculture in placing fertilizer manufacturers and dealers under license, and we recommend that continued attention be given to this question, with the view of taking such action as may seem advisable, in cooperation with the agricul- tural colleges and the Director General of Railroads, to stim- ulate the proper use of fertilizers where it has been fully dem- onstrated that their use is profitable, also to take such meas- ures as may be proper to prevent undue profits by manu- facturers and dealers, and to insure as prompt delivery as possible where rail transportation is involved. Whereas there has been considerable disappointment on the part of farmers of the South regarding the delay in the de- livery of nitrate of soda, which the Bureau of Markets has undertaken to supply, and criticisms have been accordingly directed against the Department of Agriculture in this matter : REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 17 The committee suggests that a plain statement of the facts regarding the status of this matter would be productive of good results. FARM LABOR. 1. We indorse the present attitude of the War Department toward agricultural labor. From investigation and from state- ments by representatives of the War Department, we find that for the most part cases of injustice or of error are due to mis- understandings by the local or district board of the policy of the War Department, or to errors of interpretation, and that such diflSculties may be overcome by reconsideration by the local and district boards as now provided for under the new rules _of the War Department; 2. We indorse the policy of the administration in discourag- ing shipments of material for the construction of State, county, and municipal improvements and unnecessary private improve- ments, and we recommend that this policy be continued during the war, and we call upon communities to sustain this policy. 3. We fully appreciate the great work being done by the women of the land, and their desire to render further service. Women should be employed for the same pay as men in every vocation which they are qualified to fill as well as men, but we do not believe the time has come when women should be em- ployed for rough heavy work on the farm. We believe that women will render the best service by taking the places of men of farm experience now in the cities and towns so as to permit them to work on the farms. There are many lighter tasks on the farm, such as gathering and picking fruit, that women can perform. 4. During this great stress and scarcity of labor we believe every employee of the Government, whether employed in Wash- ington or elsewhere, should be willing and patriotic enough to extend his work to its ext^reme limit. We further believe that no person should be idle at the present time and during the war, but rather should work to the extent of his physical ability. No man can now be excused, however remunerative his employment may be, for working only a few days of the week. Public sentiment, the enforcement and, if need be, the amendment of laws against vagrancy and loafing should be in- voked to the end that the full power of our population be ex- erted in all necessary industries, 18 EEPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 5. We indorse the Departments of Agriculture and Labor in their efforts to secure and distribute farm labor through the Nation, and recommend the hearty cooperation of our farmers in their efforts. We approve all the Government is doing to aid in its solution, yet we are fully convinced that in a great measure the problem must be solved by the States and com- munities through the cooperation of producers and" urban dwellers of farm experience. We especially urge that men of the towns and cities who are capable of performing farm labor adjust their activities in such a way as to meet the demands of the farmers at the periods of greatest strain on the farm. If the nonessential activities of the towns and cities do not vol- untarily render this aid and adjust themselves to the needs of agriculture, it may become necessary for the Government, in the maintenance of the food supply, to suspend such activj ties, and such action will meet with the hearty approval of the producers of the Nation. We recognize the flue spirit of many school boys in their desire to serve agriculture, and we believe that such service is valuable to them, and wherever they can be utilized full opportunity should be given to them. It is our belief that the Food Administration, through its State admin- istrators and publicity service, can help greatly in molding public sentiment in the matter of cooperation between town and country concerning farm labor for emergencies, and that all other efforts toward increased production be directed through the existing organizations of the Department of Agri- culture and the various State colleges. We understand this to be substantially the arrangement made by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Food Administration. DEFINITION OF '■''SKILLBD FARM LABORER." The committee on labor suggests that a comprehensive defi- nition for "skilled farm laborer" is: A farm laborer who knows by training and experience the ordinary methods and practices employed in growing and harvesting the crops pro- duced in the community in which he lives. Complying with the request of the Farm Labor Division for a test by which fakes may be culled out from applicants for farm jobs, we recommend that this be done by requiring answers to pertinent questions, and that these questions be selected by REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 19 agreement between the county farm bureau agent and the emergency labor man in the community concerned. LIVE STOCK. Cattle are marketed in the following great divisions : First, stockers and feeders; second (a) grass-fat pasture cattle, (b) grass-finished cattle meeting the requirements for live export; third, short-fed or half -finished cattle; fourth, long-fed or ex- port and highly finished cattle; fifth, thin cattle, commonly known as "canners." We recommend that the Department of Agriculture should devise a standard system of market grading for live stock, as well as of meats, and that price quotations for both live stock and their products be based on such standards. We feel that cattle marketed at the present time in class 4, and known as "Exports," owing to the high costs of labor and feed, are not an economical product and their production should not be encouraged. Whereas the lack of ocean shipping facilities has resulted in an accumulation of supplies of meats of all kinds which are needed and could be easily absorbed by the present home demand if unrestrained by regulation of consumption, we heart- ily indorse and commend the action of the Pood Administrator in suspending "meatless day" for a period of thirty days, and we are of the opinion that suspension should continue until such time as military and civilian needs of our army and the shipping facilities necessary to supply these needs make it ad- visable as a war measure to conserve home supplies. We are further of the opinion that producers should be kept in touch with our national program, both as to production and conser- vation, in order that they may lend patriotic aid and coopera- tion by responding promptly and eflSciently to the large respon- sibilities and obligations which rest upon them. Wide, uncertain, and unexpected fluctuations in market prices of" live stock have been a fruitful source of loss and discouragement to the producer. Costs of production, volume of supplies, and demands of consumption do not appear to be the sole factors entering into the price question. On the contrary, market manipulation can often be held account- able for price fluctuations. From the mere fact that sup- plies of live stock may come to market in large volume on 20 REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. certain days or weeks, it does not necessarily follow that there exists fundamental overproduction of such supplies through- out the land, nor a necessity for lower prices, based on lack of cqpsumptive demand. Prices for market products theo- retically should be based on the total volume of supplies avail- able for market as disclosed by disinterested and accurate Government statistical information. Thereafter the only legit- imate influence in prices should be based on one volume of demand. Stability of prices is a necessary adjunct to steady pro- duction. We therefore suggest that on occasion when sup- plies of live stock reach the market in temporarily in- creased, or seasonably increased, volume, at least during the period of the war, the Food Administration shall cause in- creased purchases to be made, and that such increased pur- chases shall be held in storage for the double purpose of cov- ering periods of decreased and insuflflcient market supplies, and of creating a reservoir of supplies from which to draw in times of emergency. While we neither forget nor condone past offenses of the American beef packers, but, upon the contrary, insist on dis- continuance of all forms of market immorality, we, none the less, advocate constructive rather than destructive prac- tices in dealing with these great agencies of internal and international commerce. We recognize and cheerfully con- cede the fact that the packers may and should occupy a posi- tion of distinct economic advantage to the country, 'in that their capital, extraordinary facilities for manufacture and dis- tribution of meats, meat products, and by-products, coupled with long experience and highly developed eflSciency, should enable them to find markets and carry on distribution at home and abroad at a minimum average net cost of doing business. In order that the exceptional equipment of these great organizations may yield a maximum service to the country on terms fair alike to themselves, as well as to producers and. consumers, we are of the opinion that Government super- vision and control should be continued and extended in a business-like manner, and that any unreasonable margin of profit standing between producer and consumer should be located and eliminated. We are further of the opinion that REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 21 neither Government operation nor Government ownership is practical and advisable at this time. SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT OF LIVE STOCK COMMITTEE. Owing to the uncertainties of the meat situation as applied to our export demand and the very large sudden demands that are made by the Allies upon this country from time to time for supplies of beef, pork, and other products, we recommend that the Food Administration, through appropri- ate agencies, shall provide and maintain large stocks of such supplies as experience may show are necessary, to the end that this country may be in a position to respond promptly and fully to these unusual and necessary war demands. DAIRY PRODUCTS. The dairy situation in this country is such that we believe that special efforts should be made to secure a more liberal use of milk and its products for the coming summer. The blocking up of exports of condensed milk and other dairy products caused, we understand, in part "by the reduction in overseas transportation, together with the public agitation during the winter relative to the price of city milk supplies, is leading to an accumulation of stocks in excess of present demands. The conservation campaign has also resulted in a material reduction in the use of whole milk as well as other dairy products. It is of the utmost importance to the public welfare that there be a steady maintenance in production, and when one considers that dairying enables the maximum percentage of rough forage and feeding stuffs that have but little human food value except as used through live stock, to be converted into readily available human food, it is essential that such in- dustries be not only conserved but stimulated. If this is done, conservation must see that complete utilization of products follows : We recommend, therefore, as follows: 1. The Food Administration should give wide publicity to its present policy of recommending the liberal use of milk in order to correct any misunderstanding which still lingers in the minds of people that this food product, which is so 22 REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. rich in growth-promoting qualities and so essential to well- being, especially of the young, should be curtailed in use. 2. That a campaign be conducted which will teach the public a more correct appreciation of the relative values of dairy products. B. We cordially approve the educational and demonstra- tional work which the Department of Agriculture is now inaugurating in the utilization of skim milk and buttermilk as human food instead of stock feed, and believe that such work, if rapidly extended this season, will be instrumental in utiliz- ing large quantities of highly nutritious food products. 4. We recommend that efforts be made to secure the adop- tion of such additional staple dairy products as cheese in the Army and Navy rations, as this is a concentrated, highly nutritious food product, capable of transportation with the minimum use of cargo space. 5. The fundamental importance of fluid milk in human nutrition makes it imperative that this essential food supply be furnished to the consumer at stabilized prices based upon the cost of production and distribution with a fair return to producer, distributor, or manufacturer. We heartily approve of the creation of the regional milk commissions established by the Food Administration to determine the cost of produc- ing and distributing milk in its various forms, coupled with a reasonable return to the parties producing or handling the same, in the territories where controversies between the parties could not be adjusted through conferences conducted by the representatives of the various interests engaged in the milk industry and the Food Administration. We suggest that such regional bodies be established in any other territories where controversies between milk producers and purchasers of milk or cream can not be adjusted upon like principles by the Food Administration through mediation. We recommend that special consideration be given to the problems involved in the more economical methods of milk distribution as well as production, with the view that this necessary food be supplied to the public at the lowest possible price consistent with a return of cost and a reasonable profit to those engaged in the industry. 6. While we recognize that there is a general shortage of fats, which may make it necessary to conserve supplies of REPORT OF ADVISORY/ COMMITTEE. 23 this essential character, it is evident that there is a possi- bility of expanding much more readily the production of vege- table than such animal fats as dairy- products. With the overseas transportation in such a condition as to curtail seri- ously export trade, and the likelihood that this summer season is going to see a marked surplus in dairy products, we be- lieve that it should be the policy of the Food Administration to recommend the wise but more liberal use of butter, cheese, condensed milk, and ice cream, with the ultimate view in mind that the supply of dairy products be maintained and the industry not unduly suffer from overproduction and con- sequent demoralization this summer. By so doing the industry Tvill be in position to meet the inevitable demand from the Allies when shipping facilities become improved by^the fall. When we recognize how greatly reduced the milk resources of Britain and Prance are, where such a large percentage of dairy animals have had to be sacrificed, it is imperative that we protect the last remaining milk reserve of the belligerent nations. PERISHABLES AND POULTRY. The subcommittee on perishables has met in connection with experts on fruit, poultry, and potatoes representing the Department of Agriculture and the Food Administration, and are united in making the following recommendations: 1. Wheteas indications now point to the fact that at the normal rate of consumption there will be a surplus of ap- proximately 30,000,000 bushels of potatoes on hand on June 30, which will be wasted, and whereas potatoes may be used to take the place of wheat in the diet of the Nation, we recommend : That all possible means be used immediately by the Food Administration and the Department of Agriculture to en- courage the consumption of potatoes so that the surplus will be utilised. Since the wholesale- price of potatoes in the leading mar- kets has fallen to a point where there is now little or no profit to the producer, we suggest that an appeal be made to the trade, both wholesale and retail, to handle potatoes at the smallest possible margin of profit, so that the consumer may be encouraged to purchase. 24 REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Since the potato is a perishable vegetable and can not be held over in its natural form, and since the potato crop is especially sensitive to climatic conditions and susceptible to diseases, so that an acreage in potatoes suflScient to sup- ply the needs of the country in seasons of unfavorable weather will result in a surplus in years of good weather, we suggest that in the present emergency and as a policy for the future every possible means should be adopted to conserve surplus potatoes by drying, and by flour, starch, and alcohol manufacture. 2. Whereas there is grave danger that much perishable frait may be wasted rnd lost as food because of failure to secure packages for storing and marketing, we urgently rec- ommend that growers place their orders and secure the de- livery of packages at the earliest possible moment, and that the Department of Agriculture and the Food Administration take steps to secure a fair distribution of fruit packages, and that they do all they can to facilitate deliveries. 3,. We heartily indorse the movement for the planting of war gardens as an effective means of employing in food pro- duction leisure hours which would otherwise not be put to pro- ductive uses. We call attention, however, to the fact that the em- ployment by well-to-do urban dwellers of laborers on full time in the tilling of gardens and small plots without machinery is uneconomic and wasteful, because such labor would be fully five times as productive if left to be employed by farmers who have a full equipment of modem machinery. We also call attention to the fact that the producer of war gardens is an important factor in the Nation's vegetable supply, as evi- denced by the lact that surpluses existed in many places last season and many acres of vegetables were plowed under by market gardeners. This is an economic waste, and we urge the Department of Agriculture to take such means as may be necessary to spread full information to our people so that overplanting will not be encouraged. We believe that the consumption of vegetables may be greatly increased if the facts are made known to our people regarding their food value and their place in a health-promot- ing diet. We urge the Department of Agriculture and the Food Administration to make known these facts through publicitjy and otherwise, and we urge that instruction be given REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 25 through bulletins and home economics extension courses as to the proper methods of preparing vegetables for the table, so that the largest possible consumption will be encouraged. 4. Whereas the transportation division, working under most adverse conditions, has already accomplished splendid results in improving schedules and in establishing and regu- lating refrigerator car lines for the movement of perishables, we hereby express our appreciation of services rendered and strongly recommend that every facility be afforded for a con- tinuation of this work. 5. We urge that there be no relaxation in the practice of careful grading and packing of fruits and vegetables, real- izing that these things are necessary to insure delivery to the consumer without waste. On the other hand, we urge growers to avoid all processes which require labor and expense with- out adding to the food value, for example, the bleaching of the Sultanina Blanche, .known in California as the Thomp- son Seedless raisin, which should be discontinued, because the character and flavor of the raisin from a consumer's stand- point are seriously impaired by this process, entailing a mate- rial additional cost. 6. We appreciate the work that has been done by the De- partment of Agriculture in investigating and developing by- products of fruits and vegetables and recommend that It be continued ; and we further recommend that greater publicity be given to the findings of the department along these lines, not only as a matter of policy but because the facts in the pos- session of the department have real economic value as a war conservation measure. Examples of this are the preparation and use of apricot kernels, which before the war were ex- ported to Germany in large quantities, and the extraction and utilization of apple pomace in the manufacture of all sorts of jellies. 7. Whereas the poultrymen of the country have been work- ing under serious handicaps of high-priced feeds and inade- quate prices for their products, we recommend that their problems be given especial attention. Whereas wt believe that the passage of Poultry Rule No. 14, prohibiting the sale of hens, has resulted in great unrest and uncertainty among farmers and poultrymen as to what further may be done to 26 REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. control the sale of their produce and curtail their profits, we urgently recommend that this rule be rescinded at the earliest possible date. SUPPLYING THE ALLIED NATIONS. Resolved, That the committee indorse the policy of the Food Administration in sending food to the Allies, and pledge their cooperation in getting to the Allies whatever food they need. SUGAR. Whereas the time has arrived when the American Gov- ernment and the American people must go on record as against nonessentials and in favor of essentials as a necessary action for the successful prosecution of the war; and Whereas large quantities of sugar are consumed in the manufacture of confectionery, soft "drinks, and unnecessary products, thus using an essential needed for the canning of fruits, preservation of milk, and for other necessary uses: Therefore we recommend to the Food Administration that such action be taken as wilL cause a material decrease of the use of sugar for nonessential purposes; And that, in considering the distribution of sugar, priority be given in the following order: Household consumption, preserving trades, ice-cream trades, confeQtionery trades, sweet- drink trades. PUBLICITY. Whereas it has been the experience of this committee that attendance at these meetings and association with each other and with Secretary Houston and Mr. Hoover and their co- workers has resulted in a much clearer understanding of the national agricultural situation as it exists, and further has resulted in change of viewpoint and final judgment for many of us; and Whereas we are fully convinced that a fuller understand- ing of existing conditions and the reasons which have made necessary the acts and regulations imposed from time to time by the Government through its various agencies would result in a much better attitude of mind on the part of the farmers REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 27 of the Nation and would secure from them heartiest cooper- ation in the necessary program for food production: , Resolved, That steps be taken at once to put these facts be- fore the farmers of the country in such form that they may clearly understand and in such manner that they can not overlook the extreme seriousness of the situation and the vital necessity that each man do his utmost in this crisis. We believe that the agricultural and rural press offers the greatest opportunity for this service, and that the publicity divisions of both the Department of Agriculture and the Pood Administration should be placed on the highest pos- sible plane of efficiency to accomplish this most important work. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the chair from this body to confer with the Division of Publicity of the Food Administration, to recommend a plan to secure the cooperation of farm editors in dissemination of informa- tion to the farmers of the country. TRANSPORTATION. The unusual car shortage and delayed shipment of live stock and grain during the past winter has caused large finan- cial loss to the producers, which will tend to curtail pro- duction. Because of the fact that feeders and grain shippers are still confronted with unsatisfactory shipping facilities and lack of prompt information regarding availability of cars, we feel that steps should be taken by the transportation administration which will facilitate shipments and insure a more prompt delivery of farm products. ENFORCEMENT OF STATE ANTITRUST LAWS. The necessity for collective bargaining in the matter of farm products now makes organization just as necessary and essential to the producer as it is to the buyer of his products or in other industries. We therefore call the attention of the Department of Agri- culture and the Food Administration to these matters, and as an encouragement to production, ask them to take steps 28 KEPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. with a view to securing for the farmers the same rights and privileges in collective bargaining accorded to other indus- tries, and urge that in the enforcement of general antitrust laws they may not be openly discriminated against because of technical and not substantive violations of the same. LIMITATION OF PROFITS IN OTHER INDUSTRIES. The committee feels that the patriotic farmers of the United States have no desire for more than costs of pro- duction and a fair profit, and in entirety support President AVilson's Executive Order of the •27th of November upon the profit regulations of the essential food trades as follows: EXECUTIVE ORDER. I hereby authorize and direct the United States Food Administrator, in prescribing regulations for licensees under section 5 of the act of Congress approved August 10, 1917, entitled "An act to provide further for the national security and defense by encouraging the production, conserving the supply, and controlling the distribution of food products and fuel," and in enforcing and carrying into effect, so far as it relates to foods, feeds, and their derivative products, that part of section 5 which reads as follows: "Whenever the President shall find that any storage charge, commis- sion, profit, or. practice of any licensee is unjust, or unreasonable, or discriminatory and unfair, or wasteful, and shall order such licensee within a reasonable time fixed in the order, to discontinue the same, unless such order, which shall recite the facts found, is revoked or sus- pended, such licensee shall, within the time prescribed in the order, dis- continue such unjust, unreasonable, discriminatory and unfair storage charge, commission, profit, or practice. The President may, in lieu of any snch unjust, unreasonable, discriminatory, and unfair storage charge, commission, profit, or practice, find what is a just, reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and fair storage charge, commission, profit, or prac- tice, and in any proceeding brought in any court such order of the President shall be prima facie evidence;" to find that a just, reasonable, and fair profit is the normal average profit which persons engaged in the same business and place obtained prior to July 1, 1914, under free competitive conditions; to indicate, if he shall see fit to do so, what margin over cost will return such a just, reasonable and fair profit; and to take such legal steps as are authorized by said act to prohibit the taking of any greater profit. WooDRow Wilson. The White House. 27 November, 1917. I The Committee does insist, however, that it is the view of the farmers that regulation of this type should be extended to all other trade industries in the country. REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 29 APPRECIATION. The Agricultural Advisory Committee desires to express and to record its acknowledgment and grateful appreciation of the courtesies and marks of consideration extended to it and to the individual members thereof by the Department of Agriculture and by the Food Administration through Sec- retary Houston and through Mr. Hoover and their assistants, respectively. We recognize the great value of the work of the Department of Agriculture in stimulating and encour- aging agricultural production, and in the dissemination of valuable information to the producers of the country. We recognize in like measure the able, comprehensive, and patriotic work performed by Mr. Hoover and his well-choseu corps of subordinates and assistants. We accept in good faith and in a spirit of patriotic cooperation, even if at some sacrifice, the policies of the .Food Administration as they have affected agricultural interests', believing that such will- ing" and cheerful cooperation was and is a proper and reason- able contribution to the great task of winning the war. We commend the vigorous enforcement of the laws and execu- tive orders in pursuance thereof against excessive profits in production of all kinds and against profiteering in war neces- sities by dealers, wholesale and retail. Finally, we wish to convey to the Department of Agricul- ture and to the Food Administration our assurances of confi- dence and to pledge to them and to each of them our cordial cooperation in the great service which they are rendering to the Nation and to the world. PERSONNEL OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The committee, which will be reassembled from time to time for consultation, consists of the following: Hbnet C. Stuabt, Elk Garden, Va., Chairman. — Henry C. Stuart is one of the leading farmers of Virginia; operates a tenant system and 35,000 acres of land. He Is a cattle breeder and feeder and Interested especially in the development of the live-stock industry of the blue-grass section of Virginia. Also, he has undertaken to develop this industry on the southern cut-over lands of the Coastal Plains region. Mr. Stuart has served as governor of Virginia. C. S. Babbett, Union City, Oa. — C. S. Barrett for several years has been president of the National Farmers Union, one of the largest farmers' organizations in the United States. He is an experienced and success- ful farmer and has long been identified in his State and in the South with agricultural progress. 30 RBPOET OF ADVISOKY COMMITTEE. Elbebt S. Brigham, St. Allians, Vt. — Elbert S. Brigham has specialized in dairying and has developed an excellent dairy herd. He is also an ex- tensive bean and potato grower, developing a special market for seed potatc^es. For a number of years he has served as institute worker in Vermont, and during the past four or five years Mr. Brigham has been Commissioner of Agriculture for the State. W. L. BboWn, Kingman, Kans. — W. L. Brown is a wheat grower. He went to Kansas in 1876, proved a claim, taught school, and farmed. He has' served for three sessions as a member of the State legislature. He was the first man in his State to enlist in the Spanish War, and' raised a regiment and was commissioned as major. Mr. Brown is a member of the State Board of Agriculture and is on the executive com- mittee of the State Cattlemen's Association. He has had a wide experi- ence in breeding of pure-bred cattle and hogs, and his farming expe- rience has also Included the raising and production of many kinds of grains and fruit. MiLO D. Campbell, Coldwater, Mich. — ^Milo D, Campbell is a native of Michigan, born in 1851. His chief vocation is farming and his specialty dairying. He is now president of the National Milk Producers' Federation. He has held other public offices, and taught school. David R. Coker, Hartsville, S. C. — David R. Coker is one of the most successful farmers in South Carolina and Is especially interested in cot- ton growing. The long-staple cotton developed by Mr. Coker now dis- places 75 to 90 per cent of the short-staple cotton formerly marketed in his county. He operates one of the most extensive seed and experi- mental farms in the South. He is president of a pedigreed seed com- pany and operates a plant-breeding, live-stock, and seed business. Mr. Coker is president of the South Carolina Plant Breeders' Association. He is chairman of the South Carolina Council of National Defense and a director of the Richmond Reserve Bank. W. R. DoDSON, Baton Rouge, La. — ^W. R. Dodson lives on his large farm near Baton Rouge, La. He is thoroughly informed regarding the cotton, sugar, rice, truck, and live-stock farming of the lower Missis- sippi Valley. He received his university training at the Universities of Missouri, Michigan, and Harvard. Fori many years he has been director of the Louisiana Experiment Station and dean of the College of Agriculture of Louisiatia State University. He is a member of the State Council of National Defense. Eugene D. Funk, Bloomington, III. — Eugene D. Funk is one of *he foremost producers of seeds in the United States. During the last several years he has conducted a seed business at Bloomington, dis- tributing numerous varieties of seeds, but specializing in seed corn. He and his family operate a large farm, and during the last two years have cultivated approximately 20,000 acres of grain and corn. He also is a feeder of cattle and hogs. He is ex-president of the National Grain Association, charter member and president of the National Corn Association, and a member of the Illinois Seed Corn Growers' Associa- tion. He represented the producing interests in the preparation of rules and regulations for the enforcement of the United States grain- standards act. N. H. Gentry, Seddlia, Mo. — ^N. H. Gentry, farmer and hog breeder, has done a great deal to improve the Berkshire breed of hogs. His herds have often taken the blue ribbons at the International Live Stock Exposition and at State fairs. He has represented the agricultural in- terests and especially the swine industry on many occasions. Wesley G. Gordon, Humholdt, Ten«.— Wesley G. Gordon is a success- ful farmer in Gibson County, Tenn. He has demonstrated improved agricultural methods on his own farm, and with other leading farmers EEPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 31 he has exerted an influence for the improvement of the agriculture of his county, especially in introducing crimson clover and other legumes. He is interested in live stock and general farming in his region. John Gkattan, BroomfieM, Colo. — John Grattan has been farming for the past 10 years near Broomfield, Colo. He is a cattle feeder and grain and alfalfa grower. Mr. Grattan is a member of the Grange, the Farmers' Union, and a member of the board of directors of the Ameri- . can National Live Stock Association and of the Farmers' Congress. Mr. Grattan was in the banking business near Medford, Okla., for four years, and during the last five years has been a member of the board of directors of the Stockyards Bank at Denver, Colo. He has been editor of the live-stock department of Ranch and Range, a Western agricultural papgr. J. N. Hagan, Deering, N. Dak. — J. N. Hagan has spent 17 of his 45 years in farming. He grows spring wheat on a large scale. In 1916 he was elected to the office of Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor of North Dakota. Prank J. Hagenbabth, 8pencer, Idaho. — Frank J. Hagenbarth is heavily interested in sheep and wool growing and in cattle raising. He has encouraged modern methods of range and forest development In the West. Formerly.; he operated large ranches in Mexico. For many years he has been president of the National Wool Growers' Association. W. W. Harbah, Pendleton, Oreg. — W. W. Harrah is known as one of the largest wheat growers in the Pacific Northwest. He is a director of the Oregon Seed Stocks Committee and has devoted much energy to increasing the acreage of wheat and distributing seed vheat. He is a director of a large terminal warehouse company of Seattle, a di- rector of the Farmers' Union Grain Agency of Pendleton, and a member of the Farmers' Educational Cooperative Union. C. W. Hunt, Logan, lowa.—G. W. Hunt and his sons are engaged in general farming, but give special emphasis to swine production and cattle feeding. They produce large corn crops. Mr. Hunt has served in the Iowa State legislature and in other ways has' been honored by his community and State. H. W. Jeffers, PlainsVoro, N. J. — H. W. Jeffers is manager of a large and successful dairy enterprise, including several farms. On one farm between 400 and 500 dairy cows are kept for the production of high- grade market milk. Alfalfa and potatoes are major crops. Recently he was made president of the Walker-Gordon Laboratory Company. He is a member of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture and interested in a broad way in all agricultural activities. Isaac Lincoln, Aberdeen, 8. Dak. — Isaac Lincoln is one of the most prominent growers of special varieties of seed grains in South Dakota. On his large stock ranch of 1,760 acres near Aberdeen he per- sonally superintends the growing of choice stocks of wheat, oats, bar- ley, flax, emmer, and corn. He is a strong advocate of better quality grain and seed. Mr. Lincoln went to the Dakotas in the eighties and became the owner of large tracts of farm land. He has given much attention to forwarding the development of the country, particularly about Aberdeen. Mr. Lincoln is president of the State Savings Bank at Aberdeen. As vice president of the State Fair he has been instru- mental in developing it to its present successful status. D. 0. Mahoney, yiroqua. Wis. — D. O. Mahoney is a farmer special- izing in cigar leaf tobacco in Vernon County, Wisconsin. He has de- voted much time to the organization of the tobacco growers in his State for the collective selling of their crops. He is a graduate of the Univer- 32 REPORT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. sity of Wisconsin and has served the public in many ways. For several years he was county judge: He has been president of both the State branch and the national organization of the American Society of Equity. David M. Massie, Ghillicothe, Ohio. — David M. Massie is. a business man with large farm interests. He gives much attention to practical farm questions and is interested in agricultural problems in relation one to another and from the standpoint of their relation to other lines of business. Wm. F. Pbatt, Batavia, N. Y. — ^Wm. F. Pratt is a successful farmer in western New York. He is engaged in general farming and has given considerable attention to feeding lambs. For a long period he has been an agricultural representative on the board of trustees of Cornell University. He is a member of the State Farm and Markets Council. George C. Roeding, Fresno, Gal. — George 0. Roeding is a fruit grower, nurseryman, and irrigation farmer. He has been especially active in the development of raisin, fig, and olive production in California. Mr. Roeding is president of the Agriculture Society of his State. Mabion Sansom, Fort Worth, Tex. — Mario5i Sansom has been identi- fied with the live-stock industry in the Southwest for the last 40 years as farmer, feeder, and breeder. Formerly he was a live-stock commission merchant. He is a director of the Federal Reserve Bank, Dallas, Tex. C. J. Tyson, Floradale, Pa. — C. J. Tyson is widely known as a general farmer and fruit grower, specializing in apple production and market- ing. For many years he was an active worker in the Adams County Horticultural Society and the State Horticultural Association of Penn- sylvania, of which he was secretary for several years and president in 1914. OiJVEK WrLSON, 'Peoria, III. — Oliver Wilson has been prominent for some time as a farmer and especially as an officer of the National Grange. He was editor in chief of the National Grange Monthly for many years. Prior to 1911, he filled the office of master of the State Grange of Illinois and was lecturer for the National Grange. In No- vember, 1911, he was elected master of the National Grange, which office he has held since.