608 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



vators over these grain sections have finally mastered the situation so 

 far as local traffic is concerned; they are driving out the line elevator. 

 There are today 4,600 co-operative elevators in the grain belt. Notwith- 

 standing the sage advice of the distinguished director of the Grain Cor- 

 poration, the Committee of Seventeen yesterday unanimously passed a 

 /esolution that in their judgment the time had arrived when the farmers 

 should go beyond the country station in the marketing of their grain; 

 that they should do so, that they could do so, and that they are now 

 going to take the necessary steps to see that they will do so. (Applause). 

 But in doing that, it is important that no contractual relationship shall 

 be entered into that will embarrass the success of our movement. Nothing 

 must be done that will hamper or retard our success. 



If I may be permitted to do so, I would say that we have recently 

 employed a couple of accountants from Washington, D. C, of the very 

 highest standing and ability; we have one or two other men employed 

 along other lines; and we have already sent people to California and 

 Canada and St. Paul and Michigan, and within the next few months I 

 hope that we will devise something that will be workable and practicable. 



The Pittsburgh-plus case is one more case of very great importance 

 that we should have told you about; but I am not going to take your 

 time. 



The inland waterways development is another project that should 

 receive the strongest backing from the agricultural interests of the 

 country. In going over these subjects that must not be forgotten. 



Now in conclusion, I have a feeling that at this Christmas-tide it is 

 not all gloom. I am an optimist, anyway — cheer up, the worst is yet to 

 come. (Laughter). At the present time, we are at least going, as our 

 minds are diverted temporarily to other affairs in this time of hardship 

 and suffering, to little acts of kindness that we see about us that may 

 help to dispel the gloom. 



Now, during these days of struggle, strife, turmoil and hardship, we 

 must not forget our fellowmen; we must keep our heads cool and we 

 must act sanely and wisely. 



I thank you. (Applause). 



WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1920. 



MORNING SESSION. 



The Chairman: Let us come to order now, gentlemen. We 

 have quite a long program, and a good one, so let's get at it. 



We begin our work this morning with a talk on the Farm 

 Bureau Federation. The program this morning as printed be- 



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