Salt Lake Telegram | 1937-02-10 | Page 13 | Drive Started by Chemurgic Farm Council

-DRIVFSTARTED-BY CHEMURGIG FARM COUNCIL I Industrial Use of the Soil's Products Is Sought TIm Utah Farm Chemurglc council coun-cil Wedneiday began actual work toward Its goal of promoting industrial indus-trial in of farm product whan permanent organization waa effected ef-fected at a meeting In the chamber f commerce. Comprehenalve diacuealon of the aimi and potential accomplishment of the movement waa given by the temporary chairman. Dr. John A. Widtioe, who for many years haa been a leader In agricultural chemistry. chem-istry. He waa formerly president of the University of Utah and Utah State Agricultural college and former for-mer L. D. 8. church commissioner of education. At an election, scheduled for late In the day, Dr. Wldtsoe waa slated to become permanent chairman, with Heber J. Grant, president of the L D. S. church, honorary chairman. chair-man. The delegates, representing education, educa-tion, agriculture, industry and the state, were welcomed by John M. Wallace, president of the chamber of commerce. Speaking on "Relation of Industry to Agriculture," 8. J. Stephenson, executive secretary of the Utah Manufacturers' association, said that easing of governmental control of Industry would release laboratory facilities for development of chem-urgy, chem-urgy, demands for governmental reports requiring month for prep- Profit Offered Chemurgy In Utah, he said, offers a release of the potential wealth of I farm products. He expressed the pinion that business should be willing to cooperate with the council coun-cil in achieving its aims. Other speakers were Stringham A. Stevens, publisher of the Utah Farmer, The Story of Chemurglc Organizations"; Junius Hayes, University Uni-versity of Utah mathematician, "Chemurglc Statistics"; M. Elmer Chriotensen, state chemist, "Chemurglc "Chem-urglc Activities"; Dr. R. J. Evans, Utah State Agricultural college, "Chemical Problems In Agronomy"; Professor Joseph K. Nicholas, Brig-ham Brig-ham Young university, "Chemurgy, an Aid to Rural Utah"; B. R. Smoot general auperlntendent of the Utah-Idaho Utah-Idaho Sugar company, "The Sugar Beet in Chemurgy"; David F. Smith, stats commissioner of agriculture, "Problems of Utah Agriculture," and Tracy R. Welling, executive secretary secre-tary of the Utah State Farm Bureau federation, "The Interest of Agriculture Agri-culture In Chemurgy." Dr. Wldtsoe set forth as the three-fold purpose of the council the promotion of industrial use of agricultural product, encouragement encourage-ment of new crop production and reservation of the American mar-et mar-et for American farmer. Warning Cited Referring ta the atat planning board' recent warning over lack of profitable employment in Utah, he held agricultural development to be a possible remedy for the situation. situa-tion. A relatively undeveloped source of farm Income is represented repre-sented by crops that, through chemical chemi-cal treatment, yield many article not naturally occurring in th plant. "The most classical example is the soy bean, from which are made numerous products such as oils, varnishes and plastics for buttons, handle and innumerable other usea," he said. Dr. Widtso held that aom of the moat important benefit to be derived de-rived from chemurgy lie in con-ervation. con-ervation. He pointed out that article ar-ticle mad from organic or mineral substances rely upon a supply source that ia not being replaced by nature, whereaa ths same article mad from organic matter com from a aourc nature replaces. Mineral Are Limited "Our mineral reaenrc are' raited," he said. "Sooner or later ehey will be exhausted. Th organic substance of th plant kingdom may be manufactured indefinitely. Aa they arc used and decompose they may be used again by plants." In urging cooperation with existing exist-ing agencies, he said: "There can be no thought of setting up a competitive organization. organiza-tion. Rather, th council will help advance th cause of all who are engaged in promoting the interests In which this council Is concerned. The help of educators, economists, Industrialists, scientists and farmer I needed."