The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-23
PLAIN TALKS WITH FARMERS.

N-SAo Vi QUILL 1uuudDlSuldl tEutuS DIS
seemed most likely to induce action among
the substantial and thoughtful class which
IN the end always directs and controls the
actlon OF communities These truths are
tnat since farmers do not buy books, have
not access to great libraries, and do not
mingle freely among themselves and with
otner classes, they must necessarily be
lacking in the solid information required
Tor the successful conduct of business, and
be at a disadvantage in the competitive
struggle as compared with the classes
which by reason OF better opportunities
are better Informed. Being ill informed
they are led to engage in enterprises yield
Ing no profit, to buy property at too high
prices, and to incur obligations which
they cannot fulfill. The proof of this is
the large indebtedness of farmers to other
classes who have been sharp enough to sell
them property or rent them money at
rates which no agricultural business will
Justify.
have further shown, as is indeed evil
dent, that the only escape for farmers is
better information, which must be ac
qulred at their own expense and conse-
quently, since the expense is considerable,
by cooperative effort; and that the great
est obstacle to this is the inveterate dis
trust and dislike of those seeking to in
duSS pOSitiFS dClIOu ny CO-OpciotifC AhCtu-
DDS. II one merely states general truths
as have done, the tendency is to reply
that talk is cheap, and that it is easier to
preach than to practice. If he goes further
and seeks to organize for action he is said
to be latter our money"
I have said enough. If these truths do
not induce action by any one it is evidence
that the money of THE CALL is wasted in
dauottpo 70 cy1hiaatS nharQ iS
sentiment about our mother earth which
in all ages has powerfully Influenced the
thought of mankind, and it includes in its
kindly embrace those engaged in her cul-
ture. In the strenuous exertion of COM
petition the sentiment is often apparently
obliterated, but in the long run the farmer
may depend in all efforts to better his con-
dition on such generous support from all
other classes as is accorded to those of no
other occupation. Whenever the farmers
of California shall seriously engage in
well-cons1dered organized movements for
improving their condition they may count
with absolute certainty on the aid of THE
CALL, the respectable press generally and
the entire community, which, although
often in active competition with the farm
ers, fully recognizes the fact that upon the
prosperity of the farmers rests the pros
perity of all. But the farmers must move
first
have perfect confidence in the future of
farming. The farmer who is to-day out Of
debt is better off than most other people,
and he who is involved is in no worse con-
dition than other debtors. There is no
doubt that some debts have been incurred
that cannot be paid and there is trouble
and worry in many homes. Ii we had
been wiser we should not have incurred
these debts, but having incurred them the
problem before US is how to escape from
that thralldom honestly, manfully and
speedily.
Necessarily each man must work out his
own deliverance according to his special
circumstances or abilities. The very seri-
Gus Indebtedness of some may prove q
positive advantage, even as compared with
others less indebted, in securing for the
debtor the wider outlook and greater
financial ability of the creditor in putting
the imperiled property to the most profit
able use. None but bankers know how
much Of this friendly cooperation is now
going on. There cannot be too much of it.
When property will no longer pay interest
debtor and creditor become practically
partners in ownership, and should be part
ners IN management and operation.
But while l speak of Indebtedness
because we all know that indebtedness
exists, we are not all debtors. For every
debtor there is q creditor at least, and
there is a great class who are neither
debtors nor important creditors. The ex-
penditures of the non-indebted are large
and are constantly increasing, and in due
time, as business adjusts itself, will make
employment for all. The world has
passed through many, periods of
financial depression, and while these
times seem hard to us the evidence
is abundant that there is less
actual suffering in this than in any former
great depression. While the commercial
lnterdependence of the present day causes
the depression to be more widely felt, and
from the vastness of the interests may
make the tidal movement slower, yet the
flow of prosperity, when it comes, will bs
the stronger, and the resulting supsrstruct-
ure of happiness be the more enduring, as
1t rests on wider base.
L am an optImist. L believe in the
eventual happy outcome Of most things.
think this good world and wish to live
In it as long as [ may. l wish all men
might have this spirit, for it is the spirit
which conquers. But we must also
have common-sense, and in troublous
times must not deceive ourselves by.
shutting our eyes to difficulties or
denying their existence. The difficulties
will be there just the same, and we are
sorely at disadvantage in dealing with
them blindfolded. A close look at them
will often despoil them of their terror. AS
a child | was afraid of ghosts, and one
night, belated, in the dark I saw one right
in the path | had to travel. l remember
that my knees smote together as 1 ap-
preached it, but when / got there it was
only the bare dead limb of tree that had
fallen. 1t is better to look things square
in the face, and if they are bad fight them
with our eyes open.
l have said what 1 have because it is
true that we farmers are less fully in
formed and less alert in regard to our in
terests than are the members of other
classes, and we suffer accordingly. To
Ignore this truth is to continue to suffer.
To acknowledge it is the first step toward
reform. 1t is not always pleasant to know
the truth, but it is always best. would
not willingly become unpopular by my
truth telling, but if one speaks at all he
should tell the truth.
Clear knowledge leads to right action.
II we know our ignorance we shall seek to
remove 1t. If We know property is too
ffn to11