REPORT OP THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 7 



The American Society of Equity was invited to send a representa- 

 tive. It was unable to do so, but proffered its cooperation. At this 

 conference the agricultural problems confronting the Nation were 

 again thoroughly canvassed. In general, the suggestions and recom- 

 mendations officially made to the Senate in my communication of 

 April 18 were indorsed. 



ORGANIZATION. 



In the meantime, pending action by Congress, the Federal De- 

 partment of Agriculture, the State departments, tlie land-grant 

 colleges, and other agencies actively devoted their attention to the 

 immediate task in hand. Working in close cooperation with one 

 another and witTi the farmers' organizations throughout the Nation, 

 they immediately took steps to execute that part of the plan which 

 had reference to a more perfect organization and coordination of the 

 Nation's agricultural activities. The task was promptly undertaken 

 of promoting in each State, in connection with the State council of 

 safety, the organization of a small central division of food production 

 and conservation composed of representatives of the State board of 

 agriculture, of the land-grant college, of farmers' organizations, and 

 of business agencies. It was suggested also that similar bodies should 

 be provided for each local subdivision, and all were requested to devote 

 their energies to the problem of increasing the production and con- 

 servation of food supplies and of promoting more orderly and 

 economical marketing. Copies of the recommendations of the St. 

 Louis conference and of those made to the Senate on April 18 were 

 sent to the Governor of each State. It was urged that attention be 

 given immediately to the perfecting of agricultural organizations 

 along the lines indicated. 



INAUGURATION OP FOOD ADMINISTRATION. 



As a further step in organization, the Council of National De- 

 fense on April 5 invited Mr. Herbert Hoover to return to this 

 country to advise with the Council in reference to the domestic 

 handling of food supplies and the most effective ways of assist- 

 ing the European nations with which we are cooperating to satisfy 

 their food necessities. Subsequently, on May 20, after the Food 

 Production and Food Control bills had been outlined substantially 

 in the form in which they were finally adopted, the President issued 



