Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-01-24
Nationalist Grain Elevators.

To the LEADER: The proposition
here presented is not a new one; it
has just remained in a dormant state
for some time and its revival at this
time of our currency trouble is ap-
propriate. We hear statements to
the effect that the difficulty is past
and over, but our industrial condi.
tions tell another tale, and ever if
the present difficulties were over,
which they are not, we want to pre-
vent a recurrence, though the propo-
sition is not a mere emergency mea-
sure, it has permanent merits and is
proposed to be of permanent effect.
The proposition is this:
That the grain elevators of the
country by national legislation be
placed under full national control;
that a systematic and proper standard
Of uniformity be established for the
inspection, testing, grading and
weighing of grain. When the pro-
Queer offers his product at n Of the
elevators and gets it properly tested,
classified and weighed, upon delivery
Of the grain to the elevator he re-
ceives in return a grain certificate of
corresponding value, this certificate
being authorized to pass current as
legal tender the same as gold certiti-
Gates and silver certificates now do.
AS long as the grain thus delivered
remains in the custody of the govern
ment it is a bonded security for the
soundness Of this certificate; when
the grain passes out Of the govern
ment elevator into the hands of the
consumer a corresponding amount of
grain certificates are redeemed and
pass out of circulation.
The advantages of such a measure
are s%elf-evident and they are many.
In the first place this kind of cur
rency is not beburdened by taxation
in the shape of interest such as is the
case with all kinds of currency based
upon evidence of Indebtedness.
And why should we place ourselves
under obligations Of Indebtedness
when we may better coin our staple
products into money?
Indebtedness demands interest and
interest is a parasite upon industry,
a food for the idle to fatten upon.
The recent administration PROPOSE.
tion for an issue of 500, 900, 600 certifi-
Gates of Indebtedness at 3 per cent in
terest is a point in view. The bank
notes, to circulate upon these certii-
Gates of Indebtedness as a basis, can
not come out of the banks for circula-
tion among the people in any other
way than to be loaned out against
sufficient security at such rate Of in
terest as may prevail, say this is 10
per cent, and the 3 per cent govern
ment interest, which must also come
in by taxation, makes a burden of IL
per cent, upon industry for the use Of
this kind of currency, and still it is
only a currency based on Indebtedness
though secure enough.
Such grain certificates for a circu-
lating currency is what In eminent
authority upon the subject calls,
"Distinctly a Currency Of the People
Based Upon Products Of Their La
bor," and they have a right to de-
mand it, he says. But this first
point Of recommendation in favor OF
this currency, on the part of industry,
is the very Objectionable point. on
the part of the parasite, who thereby
loses SO much of his succulent food,
and if the industrious people should
really make up their minds to de-
mand it you would hear the moan,
the wall, the awful chorus of the par
asite. Little parasite and big para
site would come out in swarms, and
they would not only moan and wall
but they would change the program:
they would sing sweet, siren songs OF
subterfuge, Of sophistry, of deceit.
They would mesmerize you, they
would hypnotic you, they would but
tonhole you, they would throw blend
ing colors in your eyes. Aye, even
sand and dirt they would throw In
your eyes.
Now, farmers, mechanics, working
men, merchants, everyone engaged in
ind ustrial pursuits where money is a
factor in production, if you desire to
behold the different acts in such a
concert, just step out in earnest and
demand this kind of currency and
you will witness the fun. Other
| nnintS In favor of the p%ropoSitinD