The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-02-21
PUBLICITY OF CROP RESULTS.

PUBLICITY OF CROP RESULTS.
From the November Report Of the
Department Of Agriculture, Washing.
ton, d c.
The farmer has every thing to gain
and nothing to lose by publicity Of the
results of his labofs. He cannot keep
these results secret II he would, and
il would be extremely injurious to bis
interests If he should. These PROPOSE.
tions are susceptible of easy proof, and
they cannot be overthrown.
| For the collection of these facts he
mus: depend on the Government. He
represents too numerous aud shattered
body to obtain them otherwise Once
in ten years the national census lie tax.
en-, at cost of several million dollars,
and then Its accuracy depends on the
intelligence and interest with which
the facts are reported 10 the enumerat-
or. Once year. In many Of the States
he returns the number of his animals
and the amount of his products to the
local assessors. and upon the full re.
turns, depends the value Of these State
statistics. Monthly band of intelli-
gent farmers, who realize the import.
ance Of some near approximation to
their current production even in ad
vance of the harvest, report to the De-
partment Of Agriculture, making com.
parsons Of crop conditions and event
ually estimates of the rate of yield
These methods are all important, and
none more useful than the last. It Is
foundation truth that they all de
pend alike as a primary and essential
element Of their accuracy. upon the
judgment. knowledge and willing re
Spouse Of the farmer. So essential is
this knowledge that the Government
provides severe penalty for refu sal u
make census returns, and States re
quire full returns of its citizens. But
the voluntary returns of public-spirited
farmers to the Department Of Agricul-
ture require no compulsion nor urgen-
cy, and they are perhaps more prompt
and full than those of any other sys-
TEN of voluntary collection of statis-
tics.
The benefit OF the fullest publicity of
harvest results is too obvious to require
much calculation. 1t is recognized
throughout the world by Legislators,
economists, leaders In thought and &C.
ton. and by none more fully than by
our intelligent body of American
farmers. They know that In the alb
sence Of public reports, under the re-
gime of commercial or class reports, il
would he again as it has been before
the most extravagant, the most out
rageOusly absurd estimates would be
put forth with vigOr and frequency of
iteration, until an impression would be
made,upOn the market. All would be
chaos in the wheat pits. Breaks and
"bulges" would be frequent, epecula-
ton would run mad, and 1t would in
every case prove break to the farmer
and bulge to the speculator.
They further understand that the
buyers are organized. have large cap
ital, credit practically un United,
means abundant and various for infiu.
enciDg the public through the press
(which they support through their adj
vertising and other patronage); and
the advantage is all on their side, If
they choose 10 incuicate belief in an
enormous crop, il the absence Of i'm.
partial reports Of the real production.
1t would avail nothing that the farm
ers have q secret knowledge Of the
amount produced. The battle is fought
aud the mischief done, in Chicago,
Minneapolis, and other cities, and the
truth must be told there, aud the ex-
aggeratiOn dispelled thoroughly in
those marts of trade, to be of any serv.
ice to the farmer.
Suppose the farmer knows all, and
refuses to sell, while the ''bear" is
holding down prices through COM
mercial belief in such exsggerations;
he only gives Russia and other cOun.
tries an opportunity to repleDish
English stocks. aud reduce price. of
American grain still lower. With a
well-defined idea of home production
the result Of impartial investigation
the influence of interested exaggpra-
ton is reduced to a minimum. The
f,r,nr-s' fight for fair prices must be
made in the great grain markets, not
on the farm; made by telling the
truth, the whole truth, and combat
ting Misrepresentation and distortion |
OF facts. Silence will do the growers |
40 good; it ia the policy the manipu-
latOrs OF prices most desire. aud doubt |
less precisely what they are willing to
pay out money to encourage. Secrecy |
10 the razor they would put into the
hands Of growers With which, In q in.
ancial sense. to cut their own thrOats.
These views Of the farmers are true.
The steadyiDg influence Of national re.
ports and of STATE reports upon prices
has been marked and wholesome.
The legitimate trader who ia content
with fair commission, or fair profit
If u buyer, has always favored NJ full
aud accurate public reports as could be
made, but the grain shark, who would !
distOit and invent to deceive and [
plumber Unfortunately friend or
foe, is MORALLY opposed to all public /
crop reports He has had the bold
ness. not to say effrontery. to say so
deliberately IN letters to this office
He claims that the Government has
go right to protect his victims.
Year by year the range Of private
has been narrowed under the
influence Of public crop reporting.
Within five years the difference be.