Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-16
Suggested That National Gov
eminent Solve Problem.
EXPERIMENT IN FARMING
Supplies for Army and Navy and
Other Departments to Be
Thus Provided.
To the Editor Of The Star:

i nave read with mucn interest the OlS-
cussion of the subject of the high cost OF
foods. the search for and various opinions
given for the cause or causes. and the
many suggested remedies proposed for the
correction Of 1.-THE evil" whereby the
prices will be brought down to reason
able plane and the consumer OF moderate
means will not have to expend nearly his
entire income for the necessaries OF life.
Thus far the Investigations have yielded
no satisfactory or definite solution as to
responsibility for the high prices. the pro-
Queer the middleman. the wholesaler and
the retailer each explaining and proclaim
ing he is mot It," In like manner the
trusts contr olling foodstufrs also seem to
be innocent. But all, even the complacent
and obliging seller, agree to the fact that
the prices to the consumer are outrage
ously high and unreasonable. A national
consumers league might be effective IN
think, be too unwieldy to be so for suf-
ficient length Of time to be Of permanent
benefit.
Government Control Suggested.
But why could not the government meet
the situation and correct the trouble. at
least in large part. If not entirely, by
being its own producer and buyer for
the army and navy's enormous supplies,
by some such plan as this: Set aside
large tract OF public lands, and under
the supervision of the Agricultural De-
partment esta blish farms of instruction
to young men of ambition, employing
them under certain prescribed conditions.
In the center Of this domain locate grain
and corn elevators, erect flour and other
mills, slaughter houses, ETC.. all. IN
fact. that is necessary to produce the
finished article.
This would not only give the govern
ment the best of supplies. and cheaper.
and save 1t from such large deficiencies
as the report of one branch. the army,
shows now as q result of the high prices.
but would be educating many unemployed
and worthy young men INTO good ana
useful citizens. and raise the standard OF
the farming industry generally. 1t would
not be a great while before the output
would be more than necessary to meet
the governments needs, and the surplus
could be put on the market, sold for some
general fund to benefit the whole people
school fund, for instance-and beyond
Of extortion as it is now experiencing.
Factor in Court Proceedings.
It might also prove a factor superior
to the courts in settling the trust ques-
ton Fair wages should be paid to the
employees in addition to the free instruc-
ton in farming and in the mills. etc.
and to the farmers, after a certain
period of service and Of learning the art
of proper farming. some privilege, over
that of the ordinary settler. in the order
of farming ability attained and good
character shown. be allowed in acquiring
section Of land from the government
for the purpose of continuing in the
farming industry. The men in the mills.
slaughter houses, ETC., will have learned
"a trade and after a certain period OF
service should they wish to leave will no
doubt have little trouble getting en-
ployment.
The ultimate result would be Of great
advantage to both the government and
the country. the former getting cheaper
and better supplies FOR the ,s army ana
such as the canal construction. could be
included, and the latter securing better
and more scientific farming than 1t Is
claimed now prevails IN this country
It may be objected that such direct
business by the government savors too
much of paternalism. as to which I am
not prepared to say: but II the govern
ment can embark In other business, such
as shipbuiiding. ! do not see why IL can
not enter upon this.
Chance for Private Enterprise.
But If It should be inadvisable then
why could not the same plan be carried
out by private enterprise under the su-
pervision and regulation OF the Agricul-
tural Department, the government be-
slowing certain privileges to such pri-
vate enterprise such as leasing the land
at a low rate for indefinite or stated
period. with the privilege and requirement
to sell to the graduated farmers, as out
lined above, at a price to attract the
farmer purchaser. pay the government
price and have small profit on the sale.
the government establishing prices for
the land in advance, and for Its pay
ment, when sold to the farmer, allow a
credit OF the whole or a part OF the lease
money paid In Oh It, The government to
have always a prescribed interest, say
one-half. in any precious metals discovered
on the land any In any case deposits
found a like interest in the surplus over
and above the requirements Of the enter
prise for its own use. the same conditions
to attach to the land sold to farmers. All
forest land to be under the control OF the
government while under lease or for a
specified time.
HOWARD s. NYMAN