The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-03-14

fore a single acre has been added to
the productive area, what must 1t
portend, for the American farmer
when under the stimulent Of its actual
adoption, many millians Of acres of
now undeveloped land in the Cana
| dian west shall have been opened UP
and added to the productive area in
his competition?
Can any stronger evidence than the
showing in this market report be re-
quired TO prove the fallacy OF Nh
Taft's contention, that the American
farmer is in no danger of injury by
the adoption of his pet scheme? 1t
will probably be a matter of entire in
( difference to Mr.. Taft whether his
contentious are shown to be wrong or
not. He will undoubtedly force his
scheme to an issue regardless of any
questions of discrimination or injus-
tice. But the people should rightly
understand this matter so that they
may be enabled to judge Of it for them
selves.
If the assertions Of the president
and other friends of this measure, that
the farmer will not be injured by it's
adoption, are so quickly found to be
fallacious by the effect produced on
the market by the mere possibility of
its adoption, is it not possible that
their assertions, that the commercial
interests would be benefited thereby,
may prove equally fallacious?
There has been published an esti-
mate that the enactment of this meas
ure would be. on the basis of present
values Of farm products, cause
shrinkage in the purchasing power of
the farmers in the three states of Min
nesota, North and South Dakota, Of
approximately $35, 100000 annually. /
do not pretend to vouch for the ac-
curacy of this estimate, but the show
ing the the above market report GER
tainly indicates that the shrinkage
would be of such proportions as to be-
come a serious matter which should
at least be recognized and investi-
gated before accepting the bald state
ments of the promoters Of the scheme.
1t is an old established maxim, that
upon the prosperity of the farmer de-
Ponds the prosperity of a community
generally. In the struggling OF di-
verse and contending interests in this
movement, each striving to gain unto
itself some special advantage, this
maxim appears to have been lost sight
OF, but would ii not be well to con-
slider II and determine whether 1t
not have recognition in this case?
If we refer back to the times when
wheat was selling around 40 cents
and corn was so cheap as to be used
for fuel, when the farmer was barely
subsisting and without thought of in
dulging in luxuries; do we find that
other industries were more hourishing?
Do We find that our cities were build
ing more rapidly, that labor was more
fully employed or received better re-
Enumeration; or do we find rather that
industries were languishing, that the
unemployed were roaming the streets
OF the cities vainly seeking work, and
Coxey armies were abroad in the land !?
The inducement held out by the pro-
motors Of this scheme, OF cheaper food
stuffs, may appear very alluring, but
II it should also mean less earning
capacity for the consumer, wherein
does he profit?
1t must not be forgotten that the
adoption Of this measure means the
emigration Of thousands Of our sub
stantial farmers carrying with them
millions of dollars to build UP and en-
rich a foreign country. Can this be
considered advantageous to us?
Then, there Is the question Of dis
elimination in this case that should be
considered by the fair minded. A
glance at the provisions OF this alleged
reciprocity measure shows a total dis
regard of equity in its framing up.
A protective tariff policy may be re-
garded as a selfish one, but 1t has al
ways been the policy of our country
and while it remains so it's favors
should be equally distributed. But in
this case, while every other interest
has been given some show of consid-
GRAFTON, that Of the farmer has been
wholly ignored. While every other in
terest has been afforded some measure
OF protection, he alone stands stripped
of every vestige of it. He alone IS
singled out for adverse discrimination.
Why Is this? II cannot be because
of his political affiliations, for he has
always been, as class, regarded as
} the most loyal and dependable element
In the party whose chief is striving
to foist this injustice upon him. II
ISesAAAASN w bSNauSH Vi HIS commercial
insignifcance, as he is conceded to be
the greatest factor in the production
OF wealth It cannot now be argued
that he has no need of protection, as
the evidence supplied by the aforesaid
market report would easily refute
such arguments The situation GER
tainly presents an anomaly dificult
to explain. An attitude of supreme
indifference as regards the equities OF
this case appears manifest in all di-
Irections, and especially in quarters
1t should be least expected. Even our
own Mr. Roosevelt. the Idol of the
people, and our most noted exponent of
"a square deal and fair play" who with
clenched fists and all the emphasis at
his commend delighted in assuring
his audiences that there must be no
discrimination in favor of or against
any class, can And no incongruity in
expressing his hearty approval Of the
measure.
Is it possible that the spirit of fair
play and justice which was once sup
i posed to WELD a potent influence In
j rcYff m a1gfal and f4c41fical afFafrc aa..