THE FARMERS' PROGRAM 135 



Conference held in Washington January 23-27, 

 1922, brought together representatives of all 

 important groups of farmers of various sec- 

 tions, together with those engaged in the busi- 

 ness of handling farm products, thereby provid- 

 ing a cross-section of agricultural thought such 

 as we have never had in our history heretofore. 

 Among the 336 delegates there were 275 farmers 

 and 25 farm women. They were brought to- 

 gether to outline the present needs of agricul- 

 ture, to propose a future program and to give 

 voice to the real sentiment and desires of farm 

 people. 



When the conference was opened by President 

 Harding, he presented an address containing 

 the strongest argument for agricultural ad- 

 vancement which has been heard from a chief 

 executive since the time of Lincoln. It is worth 

 attention at this point to review some of the 

 points which our President made in that ad- 

 dress concerning the national program for agri- 

 culture. A series of quotations will suffice. He 

 said : 



"Concerning the grim reality of the present crisis in 

 agriculture, there can be no differences of opinion among 

 informed people. . . . 



"Now, in his hour of disaster, consequent to the reaction 



