A PROGRAM 285 



other necessities. This proposed enlistment in the national 

 service should be regarded as part of the public patriotic service 

 in the present war emergency and be given proper official 

 recognition. 



THE HARVEST EMERGENCY 



The husbanding of a matured crop promptly is often the 

 most vital and crucial point in production and is the point of 

 the heaviest labor demand on the farm. We suggest that the 

 federal Department of Agriculture, cooperating with the state 

 departments of agriculture and other agencies, should take 

 steps to mobilize farm labor to meet all emergencies which may 

 arise. 



A SURVEY OF THE FOOD SUPPLY 



We suggest the importance of a thorough-going survey of the 

 food, labor, and other resources of the country and of the needs 

 of the local communities to the end that every part of the 

 country may be maintained in effective service. Therefore, we 

 recommend : 



That power be conferred upon the Secretary of Agriculture, 

 in cooperation with the Federal Trade Commission so far as 

 practicable, to secure such information regarding the food sup- 

 ply of the nation and all business enterprises relating thereto 

 as may be necessary to enable Congress to legislate suitably for 

 the protection of the people in the existing crisis and for the 

 information of the nation in its daily conduct, giving to 

 the Secretary of Agriculture for this purpose power to ad- 

 minister oaths, to examine witnesses, and to call for the pro- 

 duction of books and papers with means of enforcement and 

 penalties. 



That authority be conferred upon the Secretary of Agricul- 

 ture to establish market grades and classes of farm products, 

 including seeds, and standards for receptacles for such products. 

 For this purpose he should consult the various trades concerned. 

 The established grades for corn and wheat undoubtedly will be 

 of much advantage in purchasing supplies and the establishment 

 of grades for other products will be fully justified for the same 



