The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-12-01
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PURELY POLITICAL
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Guthrie, okla, Dec. 1.--In an edi-
torial criticising Governor Haskell's
speech before a meeting Of farmers in
Guthrie last week, the State Capital
made the statement that farmers are
now realizing the best prices ever paid
for farm products, and were buying
the necessities cheaper than ever be-
fore The first statement is in meas
ure correct, but the latter is the very
reverse Of the truth
The farmer is the victim of high
protection, just the same as every
other consumer, and this high pro
lection has stilted prices far above
what would be normal on a competi-
tive basis. AS the products OF the
farmer are not effected by high pro-
lection he is in no way beneficiary of
that system. His products are in ex-
cess Of consumption, and are export
ed to supply the needs of consumers
in foreign countries. No amount of
tariff could raise or lower the price of
his products. He takes his chances
in the competition Of the world, but
fortunately for him, the United States
is the granary of the world and his
products are in demand Increasing
population OF the United States in
creases the demand for food products,
and demand raises prices. This is a
simple law of trade Take these con-
ditions with enough money in circula-
ton to meet the necessities OF busi-
mess. the farmer will always receive
"a good price for his product
Now for the other side The manu-
facturers conditions are just the rel
verse Of the farmers Europe owing
to its dense population and lack Of
land, is made up Of manufacturing
countries. They want to trade manu-
Ifactured goods for farm products with
which to feed their millions, They
must have our farm products by trad
ing manufactured goods for them II
possible, but our food products they
must have.
What are the conditions? The man.
Iufacturers Of the United States have
had congress establish high protec-
tive wall about this country so that
the foreign manufacturer cannot sell
his goods at a reasonable, or for that
matter any profit, pay the duty. and
compete with our own manufacturers.
In fact as years have gone by and
the manufacturers have fattened on
this protection from outside competi-
ton. they have conceived the idea of
combining like interests and monopo-
lie the field at home That idea is
accomplished so that today every ar
ticle Of Manufacture Of any oonse-
quence is controlled by trust With
no competition from foreign manu-
facturers, and a monopoly on the busi-
ness at home, what incentive is there
to lower prices.
If you could absolutely control the
price of your wheat. would you raise
or lower the price, Naturally you
would increase it. So with the manu-
facturers-
The farmer can only look for trade
conditions for fixing the price Of his
products. The manufacturers by shut
ting out foreign competition and form
ling trusts. have monopoiized the field
and fixed their own prices.
II the farmer has realized 100 per
cent Increase on the price Of his
wheat the manufacturer has also i'm
creased the price on his products. and
laIthough more money passes through
the hands of the farmer he is saving
precious little more now than in for
mer years. Next week a number Of
government statistics taken from pub
lished government reports viii be
rquoted to show that manufactured pro-
ducts have increased in price out Of
a. A. -~.-t - r,,ort.f. ,f4.r-