The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-11


The real trouble which has agitated the
farmer during the past few years. and
which made hlm so susceptible to the
Establishments OF the silver mine owners
overcome. II is grievance which af-
fects the producer of cereals all the world
over. and from which the American far
mer finds only temporary escape through
the present high prices for wheat. Those
prices are due not TO the good manage
ment or foresight OF the American far
mer, but 10 the misfortune OF his breth-
rem IA India and Australia 1t may bs
their luck next year 10 have a plenteous
harvest, in which event the American
farmer win be offered a low price for his
wheat. and iow-prieed silver will again
tell him he can only put a real value on
his produce by putting a fictitious value
on the metal.
Even the average farmer Is now con-
WINGED that cheap silver has no more TO
do with the Improbable production OF
wheat than IL has with the Improbable
ton OF cost of production and the relation
OF supply 20 demand. Yet the exigency Is
so pressing aud the trouble so widespread
that simultaneously all the great CONNER
eial nations are directing their attention
To It's causes and possible remedies. The
French charaber OF deputies has this
week devoted considerable time to the
subject. the French farmer complaining
through his representatives. OF the suf-
fering due TO a fan In the price of farm
products. The premier suggested that bi-
metaInsm was the remedy. but withoue
nl-mesailism the price OF wheat in TIA
United states has advanced Ia response
to sounder commercial laws. so that his
attempt At solution Is only empirical.
-Abhe i.cmire, who Is thinker and not a
politician. went directly TO the point. and.
calling attention TO comparative stats
ties proved that the fall in prices was
due 20 the Increased production.
Russia is said 70 have suggested inter
national cooperation with a view to bet
ter stability in the price OF the greatest
staple OF commerce. and IN England Il is
suggested that great stere-houses be
erected. which should be ~ once a reserve
in ease Of war ana balance through
whieA tho output would be kept in check
by the varying demand. Ii such a schesue
were prsetisehls. We should nos witness
the spectacle 81 rotsins wheat or Of corn
used for fuel one year. and a scarcity vita
hjah prices the next
In nearly every great product. such as
eoaL IRON. cappes. quicksilver and Gil.
where the ownership o. the resources IS
Aaa1 ienily ilmlse1 30 admit az ready CO.
4 ration. g has been found plse 10 reg
u.asa tao output and 50 prevent violent
nuelussioasei pciee. Thegalsa strong pref
uJsco against t,ss ca TIE srsund Of paloue
poaey. ANA with sogae reason. because II IS
capable % aaasc. but Within reasonable
hoands such a corporation would be OF
Immense heaeat 10 the farmer. Ii has been
foond ofaeaeiaas in the ease o. labor. II
IS a wcli~establlsaed fact thar bat for the
syndicate. combine. trust. union. or what
/ ever g may be called she wages OF labor
IN thts country would DO lower. and the
taaorar at as great disadvantage IN the
/ markets % the world as the farmer now
-
Tae reau}t oe such a combination On
! wheat would Zee th4t the buyer must pay
more FER bis bread Bat that = fust what
tao farmer demands; Tie prose- 20 the
| gr0wcr - wAest means a corresponding
I toss Ii the consumer az wheat. The great
] ADVANTAGES Wosla ~ in the regulating 81
/ tho price ana an avoidance of wasted en-.
/ efsy. capital asd pynauci Ths difference
/ tn cost % she purchaser woula BE- in4al-
tgs.n1al. the gaia 90 IRE farmer wsala be
the dl8srence between aebs and surplus.
The pvaesicaelHty Of the scheme is TIA
/ gaeatson. me number of producers to -
| eoaNsd into cooperation runs tate the
teas % r1Gnoas; the Intelligence 90 -
eutssed ssrtes sa degree as widely IS that
| whlca separates ulauklaa iata divisions
| os raee sHA capacity Ths plan woula
hAYs 90 extend evor Jhs product ss pre-
/ Nioas sna 90 coming ysavs. aa8 the cen.
ira exen8nss waal8 necesearsiy become
the must perverted aseaey ~ tire wcria.
| ibis poWc- E,isai IA ttlno eetasae % shs
| farmer a. ssFiaes m@a2ec as the chang
| Ing ferguaes ~ she sessen ~sa tha health.
/ fl'nsss ~ sac crops
| No ogaer Business mas than tAs farmer
I pnotuees WITH usser disresara 10 TIE
| quantity pFaaaeet elsewhere o. - ihe
| probable asaaHa. TIE farmer bases tAs
quantity ~ acres BE lasenas sosang ia
waess vraa ths rriee Tor last years crep.
nal ueea the probabilities q nsxf years
| pFicss. me keysrameas seIasias keep
slEa Informed ~ tAa acreage sswn n tAss
seansry. eat De Il quite Ia the cara as 20
80 sonaltlssx sasswseEe. Ths uaeasy
vested - sending evs sces - re depart
Hens of agriculture eeaaa es pas to iass-
sisaeae saFamsags In lascFzlas TAG sAxsn-