Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-01
HIGHER PRICES NECESSARY FOR
FARM PRODUCTS.
WICHITA, Kan, Nov. %, 1888.

trust or combine of the farmers which
they have organized to protect them
selves from the influences which are
creating depression in the prices of
farm products, The same causes which
have actuated the railways to combine
and protect their interest against rate
cutting by each other and against ex
IRENE legislation by the people have
prompted the farmers to follow their ex-
ample and combine for self protection.
The depression in the prices of all classes
of farm products for the past three years
has so reduced the purchasing power Of
the farmer that he has not been able to
purchase for his requirements as he
otherwise would: and the railroads have
suffered proportionately as the farmers
purchasing power has been reduced.
While ignorant of the cause, these COM
binations of capital and farmers organi-
cations have been formed to right wrong;
and in the course of human events 1T
may develop that it was the only way to
fully demonstrate the cause of SO much
depression, find the remedy, and bring
the interests of all legitimate business on
more equal and firm basis.
1t is certain these organizations will
bring about better understanding of
the laws of trade and commerce, which
will show that the interest of the rail-
ways, the merchants, the manufacturers
and the farmers are identical. and the
success of the farmer means success to
all others. When the farmer is burdened
and hampered and his purchasing power
reduced, all other kinds of business must
suffer in consequence. This fact IS DEM
onstrated today to an alarming extent.
What is needed? | say, better prices
for farm produce. Here is the secret of
more business for our railways. Do the
railways want it? If they do, let them
investigate the causes which destroy it,
and work with the farmers to secure
| remedy.
What do better prices mean? It means
that the farmer vii buy more lumber.
more agricultural implements, feed
more stock, and use more of the neces-
saries and comforts of life. This, in
turn. means more freight for the rail
ways, more lumber, hardware, agricult-
ural implements and general merchan-
disc to transport The business of the
country will be improved. New farms
will be opened and old ones bettefed, and
better times will exist. When this hap
pens, then there will be no necessity for
railway combinations for protection
against legislation, nor for the farmers
trusts.
The interstate commerce commission
and railway combinations seek only to
regulate freight rates. But, if there is
no market, then there is no necessity for
rates. The less the price of an article,
the less the railroad must receive for the
| transportation of it, or not haul it. If
the price is depressed below the freight
rate, then there is nothing to haul. The
railway suffers and the merchant goes
out of business.
An upward market makes more buy
ers, and demand. A depressed mar
| ket drives them out and kills the de-
mand. An upward market makes more
business in every line of trade. A de-
pressed market drives people into bank
ruptcv. The market is in a depressed
condition, and there is cause for it.
What is the cause, and what is the
| remedy?
The cause, partially at least, of this
depression is the ''wrecker" or ''bear" on
change, who is continually betting that
the prices of farm products will be
''sick" Every report that he sends out
is for that purpose. 1t is his business
and he makes the most of it. If he bets
800, 900 that lots on State street will de-
preciate so per cent in three months, and
in order to win he must necessarily Gre
ate panic in the price. And in his little
scheme he not only pulls the money out
| of his opponent, but actually forces the
farmer and all other owners to take less
for their stuff; thus affecting all classes
of business and all kinds of transport
tation.
Were it possible for the bears, or
wreckers, to sell short the real estate of
Chicago they would wreck thousands
upon thousands of people and bankrupt
the city. Chicago brokers possibly re-
ceive over s. 100000 annually in COM
missions. but the legitimate business Of
the merchant is ruined over $50, 900, 600
in this wrecklng or depressing of prices
The railroads are affected as we'll as the
farmer. The farmer spends his money
legtimately, and distributes it among
more branches of business than any other
class; and it is necessary that he have
more of it. The success of the manufac-
turer, the merchant and the railroads re-
quire it; and if the farmers can combine
and secure better prices, | say amen!
All wealth comes from the soil, whether
it be animal, vegetable or mineral.
when fostered and nourished. AND this
is what is making our country the best
on EARTH and will continue in the future,
if the farmers are allowed half chance.
Let the railroads 90 to the wreckers on
change and say, Boys, we know your
power, but for Gods sake let
up for a year, and give the farmers
and us q chance to recruit.
Don't tell us we are sick all the time, be-
cause if you keep on we will die" Tell
them to take rest: keep off the market
awhile, so that the farmer can get for
his grain enough money to purchase
some of the comforts of life. and the
railways may be enabled to carry a little
freight at living prices.
This question is very serious one to
the railways, as we'll as to all kinds Of
business. The fact is, the farmer must
have better prices for his productions in
some way or matters will be worse, and
the sooner the railways, the manufac-
turers. the merchants, the laborers and
the farmers recognize it and work to-
gether the sooner it will be accomplished.
The "wrecker," or bear not inter
ested in seeing the country and business
prosper, only so far as it furnishes prey,
cannot be classed or recognized as one of
the factors TO accomplish the object.
The railroads and the people must |
work together and not pull against each !
other, as they have been doing in the !
past. Let the railroads take up the !
cause of the farmers and assist in wiping |
ont tho causar which are ref!lciDr their |