The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-23
Distribution of Farm Products.

through the various channels of trade and
commerce. Yet the proper distribution
and marketing of our crops is one OF the
most important elements which enter into
the business of the farmer. AT the re-
cent session of the farmers national con-
gress at Niagara Falls, n. Y, the ques-
ton of the proper distribution and mar
ketng of our farm products received con-
siderable attention and discussion. The
question as to whether or not the handlers
of our farm products, who occupy the
middle ground between the producers and
the manufacturers and consumer were not
taking to themselves too large a percent
age of profit and thereby relatively re-
ducing the prices of the raw material be-
low its legitimate value at the time of
purchase, was a matter which was deem
ed worthy of immediate investigation.
There is a decided consensus Of opinion
in the minds of all producers that the
margin of difference between the price at
which their products are sold, and the
price paid by the consumer is too wide
and too largely in favor of the distribu-
tors, whether it be through the hands OF
the middle men or the manufacturers.
The views of Secretary Wilson,, of the
United States Department of Agriculture,
are somewhat singular bearing upon
this matter After having read the adj
dresses and noted the discussions uponI
this subject as above referred TO- he has
recently expressed himself in statement
to the effect, that he thinks the farmers
were wrong in emphasizing the dlstribu-
tive, rather than the productive side OF
farming, and says, 1--WE should and can
raise two bales of cotton where now wei
raise one" Acting upon this principle,
If the south had this year, following the
secretary's advice, produced twenty mil
lion bales instead of ten millions, can any
man conceive the fearful calamity which
would have followed. Such a proposition
might be advanced in theory, but it can
not become prof1tably operative in prac
tice under existing conditions. 1t would
appear from this expression Of the secre-
tary's that ne would prefer 20 see the far
mers of the country devote their energies
entirely to the increased production OF
crops, and allow the question of prices to
be controlled and regulated by the hand
lers and distributors OF our products The
South has been for many years produc
the worlds demands but cotton producers
have not reached fair and equitable
price for their staple simply because they
have not investigated the markets and so
placed their products for sale as to make
them command their full value. Secre-
tary Wilson has made a splendid official
and mas done much to deserve the com
mendation of the farmers all over the
United States, but when he takes the po-
sition that high prices paid the producers
for cotton is a calamity to the country,
and when he further says that farmers
should double production and leave them
selves helpless IN the hands of the buyers
and manufacturers he presents views
which are hard to reconcile with the Off
cial position which he holds The western
grain producers are combining to advance
the price of their wheat to one dollar per
bushei Can the secretary consistently
say that grain producers should bestir
themselves to a double production of
wheat and leave the question of price to a
market to be controlled and dominated by
handlers whose interests are opposed to
those of the producers?
PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION.
Production is already keeping pace with
consumption, and during many years the
former has gone beyond the needs of the
latter. The farmers of the United States
arc increasing the production of many
crops IN greater percentage than all the
other countries on the globe combined. In
this connection the figures presented by
Hon. O. r. Austin, statlstican OF the L.
S. Treasury Department before the last
meeting OF the Farmers National congress,
make interesting reading. He stated that
the only countries exporting wheat in SUI
ficient quantities to be considered as RI
walls of the United States in supplying the
worlds markets. were, Australia, Argen-
tine, Canada, India, and Russia. He show
ed that the annual average production Of
wheat during the eleven years ending
with 1902, were, for Australia, 10000, GOO
bushels, Argentine. $4,000 900, India 229,-
600, 900, Russia, ASP 900 900, and the United
States 541 ,O00,0 900 bushels He also com
pared the wheat crop of 1901 with that OF
1902 showing that during the 10 years
period, Australia had increased her pro-
duction of wheat, 20,0O0,000 bushels Ar
dia, 99,O0O,OO0, Russia, 100000, and the
United States, 232, 600 bushels
In other words the increased production
of wheat in the United States for the
ten years was more than the increases
of all the other countries combined. These
figures, Mr. Austin stated, were sufficient
to show that the producers of the United
States are never likely to be affected IN
the worlds markets by rival producers.
The United States now produces three
fourths of the worlds corn three-tourths
of its cotton, 40 per cent of the wheat.
Hence if we are fully meeting our own
wants and have surplus sufficient TO
meet the demands of foreign countries,
why should not the farmers have voice
IN the price at which those products are
placed upon the open markets. TINS Is
question of vital Importance, ana upon
its proper solution will largely depend the
future prosperity of the producers Far
mers should give more thought and study
10 the marketing of their produce Ihey
should inform themselves as to the fuil
value of their products in the world mar
kets, and the cost of handling and distri-
button. Without knowledge OF these
facts they may continue to go on ana