Show CRISIS CONFRONTS F FARMING INDUSTRY I ATLANTIC CITY N N. J J. April 29 Farming was pictured as confronted with more serious difficulties than any other American Industry by Secretary Meredith Meredith Meredith Mere Mere- of the agricultural department In Inan inan inan an address at the annual meeting of the I Is s chamber er of ol commerce of ot the United I States American farmers the secretary said Bald are not ony In competition with each ach other as producers but they are In competition with producers of other countries Not only that but agriculture agriculture agriculture ture as an Industry is in direct competition competition competition com com- petition with other Industries for capital capi capi- tal tat and especially laUY for labor Under present con conditions farmers are losing in competition for labor Farmers hesitate to pay higher wages ages ages because unlike other Industries Industries- there Is no opportunity for a quick turnover er or to pass the increased cost along the consumers Not only are farm wages higher than ever before but farm hired labor Is scarce at any price I and on the whole is said to be bo relatively rela less efficient than formerly Illustrating the power of ot American farmers Secretary Meredith said that if they Bold sold all their belongings including land crops and livestock they would be beAble beable abl Able to buy all the railroads all the manufacturing establishments all the mines nines and all aU the quarries in the country countr coun coun- tr try |