AGRICULTURAL RELIEF
Mr. HALL. Are the farmers in this vicinity organized? Do they
have socjeties?
Mr. Boorn. There are some, but I am not a member of them.
Mr. ANprESEN. I understand the gentleman from the city of
Washington is going to file a plan so we can read it, and as the time
1s very limited and since the secretary of agriculture from our State
is here, who would like to be heard, I trust the committee can hear
him. He has to leave on Friday. So I ask unanimous consent that
Mr. Holmberg be allowed to make a statement,
The CrArrMAN. Are you through with your statement, Mr. Booth?
Mr. Boorn. IT have covered it fairly well.
The Cuairman. Do you want to file it in the form of a brief?
Mr. Boor. I do; yes, sir.
I am much obliged to you gentlemen, and I am sure you will
have something to think about.
249
BrIEF SUBMITTED BY MR. Epwarp H. Boor.
A BILL For the relief of the farmer, and for other purposes
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That there shall be created an agricultural board
in and for the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, which shall be
known as the Washington, District of Columbia, Agricultural Board, and which
shall consist of three members, one of whom shall be a resident of said city having
no connection with farming as a business, and who shall be president of the said
board; another a resident of the State of Maryland, who shall be a farmer living
on his own farm, which shall be located in Maryland and not more than twenty-
five miles from the said city of Washington; and the other shall be a resident of
Virginia, who shall be a farmer living on his own farm, which shall be located in
the State of Virginia not more than twenty-five miles from the said city of
Washington.
The president of the said board shall receive a salary of — —— dollars per
annum, and each of the other two members of the said board shall receive a
salary of ——— dollars per annum, each member to be appointed bv, and to
hold his office at the discretion of, the Commissioners of the District of Columbia,
and all payable out of the funds hereinafter provided.
It shall be the duty of the said Washington Agricultural Board to collect the
names and addresses of all persons living within a radius of twentv-five miles
from the said city of Washington selling farm produce in the Washington market,
and to enter the same upon a register in the office of said board which shall be
kept for that purpose. All such persons who shall so desire shall have the
privilege of having their names placed upon an additional register of said board,
with the expressed understanding and agreement between themselves and said
board that such farmers shall grow for the said city of Washington market such
things, and in such quantities, as shall be approved by the said board. In
consideration for this the said board will guarantee to all such farmers to buy
all and any of their products so registered at a minimum price, which shall be
fixed upon by the said board, at the beginning of the season, or between January
1 and March 31 of each vear, the produce to be delivered to the storehouse of
the board, and by the board paid for at the designated minimum price on
delivery. All such farmers, however, reserve the right of selling all such produce
to any other purchaser anywhere at any price they may see fit to accept.
It shall be the duty of said Washington Agricultural Board to devise proper
methods of business, establishing necessary storehouses, warehouses, ete., and
providing all necessary means or facilities for successfully conducting the business,
including the employment of clerks and other necessary employees so required.
In the sale of the farm products so received from the said farmers the said
board shall sell the same to any person or persons desiring to buy them. The
price of all such products shall be fixed to such purchasers at the cost price paid
by the board to the farmer, plus 10 per centum. All purchases shall be delivered
anywhere within the city limits free of charge for delivery, and in reasonably
small quantities when so desired bv purchasers. The board shall publish each