The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-09-22

Inc JOuTudl pubhohN' ~"
from the pen OF Linn county farmer
who sees tho enormity OF comparing
the farmers grain pool with the
standard oil trust. He makes the
point in very able manner that the
farmer is only seeking to get fairer
prices for his crop, and not to oppress
the rest OF society. Read his article:
Linn County Farmer
His contemplate highness, the ed
itor of the Weekly oregonian. last
week jumped onto the Waldo hill far
mers with both his feet because a few
Of them put their wheat into a pool
this year. and sold the same to the
highest bidder, or. In other words. put
the price on their product, Instead OF
selling individually and allowing some
set OF speculators or stock gamblers
combine to fx the price Of wheat IL
comes with bad gracs for the Oregon
ian editor 10 find fault with our farm
ers for combining In the marketing OF
their product. when they are but imi-
tatlng--and the last class TO initiate
tho example set by the promoters OF
every line Of business OF Importance
with which our farmer has 20 do bust
ness. Il is the writer's opinion that
the majority Of the farmers do not IA
yor pools and combines. but as the
managers Of every other industry
have combined. the farmer has been
driven 20 lt--not as an act OF choice.
but OF soltprescryation. The hundreds
Of thousands Of mortgaged farms and
tenant farms In the United states are
convincing witnesses OF the folly OF
farmers trying TO exist and act indi'
vldually. while the people OF other
businesses with which the farmer has
10 do. act collectively. II the Oregon
ian had In the past practiced admin
isterlng editorial upbraldings TO the
parties engaged in the thousand and
one combines and trusts that have
lleeced the Oregon farmers during the
last ten years. It's present criticism
would not SAVIOR 40 much Of inconslst'
ency. Its attitude has been such that
dare say the majority of tho
farmers OF the state believe the ore.
eonIan has been hand In glove with
the promoters OF every combine that
has held up the farmer II Il thought
there was a ghost OF chance OF being
invited TO share In the division OF the
loot The Oregon farmer, more than
any other class OF citizens, has made
Il possible for the oregonlan 20 attain
20 the place Il has In the journalism OF
the state and yet We think il can be
truthnlly said that almost invariably
that paper has arrayed itself ON the
side OF the opposition whenever the
farmers interests came In conflict
with those whose god Is greed. The
writer would not be understood as
defending pools, trusts or combines OF
any class Of individuals for the enrich
ing OF themselves by depressing some
other class OF society, Such system
is criminal bo Il praoticed by the
humble farmer or standard OH ooto-
pus The only combine that has the
semblance OF Justice about Il Is the ma
tional cooperative combine that will
give its proceeds 10 all deserving poo-
pie Of the nation, and not 10 a class 20
the delTlmont Of other glasses. While
all combines under competitive sys-
tenn are oppressive 10 some part of
society. some are organised for the
protection or preservation OF some
business or calling, and not for the
purpose OF enrlching a few al the ex.
pense Of many. When the farmers Of
a community pool their grain Il is not.
a. a rule, for the purpose Of ennchins
or the robblng OF the rest
of society. Il Is done solely Tor the
purpnse Of eaabling them 10 continue
In business unencumbcred by debt.
The farmer Is 80 hedsed about by the
system that he has no
choice. but 10 initiate the example OF
those In other cailinss about him, and |
comblne. though he clearly realizes
mat some part OF society win safler
thereby RICHARD ROE
The following article = from the
pea of one Of the Ablest writer's In