Evening journal., 1907-06-10
Monday, June 10, 1907.
FARMERS AND PRICES.

n NE dollar wheat and the prices Of other
- farm commodities in proportion, is the
slogan Of the Farmers Equity Union, not much
heard Of in the cast, but beginning 10 be strong
in the west The union has been holding con-
eention in Nebraska -Four hundred delegates
were present representing the far eastern states
as well as those Of the south and the middle west
The far west OF course was there in large num-
bers
The Equity Union is different from most OF
the farmers organizations IN the past 1t pro-
poses to attempt to increase the prices Of produce
raised on the farm and keep the handlers and
manipulators Of farm products from securing all
The profits 1T is a huge task, hard job Be
tween the railroad companies the dealers and
manipulators there is little left for the farmers,
although the consumers pay high prices. Pro-
ducts OF the farm are SO manipulated, after they
have left the producers, that prices are inordi-
nately advanced to the consumers This ques-
ton, and it is one with which the Equity Union
will deal is considered in an entertaining article
in the recent issue Of the North American Re
view Of William v. Rowe well-lsnown New
York attorney Mr.. Rowe says
1t is believed to be the fact that never
before in human history has the practice, con-
, demned Of old, OF forestalling, engrossng and
regfatrg in articles of prime necessity Chat
is to say, the monopolistic purchasing in advance
OF market requirements, and The storing Of an
entire food-supply with view to the creation
OF future stringency, and a consequent artificial
market with an artihcially enhanced retail price,
been carried TO so diabolicaliy perfect and scien-
tihc oonsummation as at the present time. The
cold-storage plants of the country, supposed to
be trusts Of the FIRST magnitude, arc believed to
be wonderfully complete. and into their capacious
maws, IT is understood, are poured substantially
entire supplies of vegetables, fruits, meats eggs
and fish, to be doled out at times and prices arbi-
trarily fixed to suit the pleasure and the pockets
OF the powers in control, The foreign markets,
in order to maintain domestic prices, are favored
with shipments of any surplus supplies The re-
suits are seen in our current high prices, and the
distinct inferiority of our raw-food supplies
This is a crying evil, and, if we do not pay heed
to the conditions, the passions OF the people may
be unduly aroused. New legislation is needed.
Speculation in food products should be made inn
possible. Let us learn the truth concerning this
matter. Let the whole cold-storage business and
the laying up of our food-suppies be carefully
investigated and then wisely regulated, under
both Federal and State laws.
The Equity Union intends to induce the farm
ers themselves to hold their products for higher
prices and thus curtail the operations Of the mid
die men by Withholding the supply from original
sources.
The Union, however, will find it difficult to
carry its plans into successful execution. Farm
ing is conducted, because of its very nature and
because Of the vast number employed in this pur-
suit, on strictly competitive basis. But the con-
sumers in the great cities do not get the benefit Of
such competition the cold storage and other
manpuators Of which Mr.. Rowe writes seize
the products and regulate the prices.