Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1912-07-05
FARMERS AND BANKERS.
Large Business Interests Co. operate to
Aid the Farmer.


Farmers are receiving more than
usual attention these days. Bankers
and railroad companies are vying with
each other in the attempt to improve
the farmers condition, make his acres
more profitable and thus increase the
output of the farms which the rail-
roads will have to haul and enhance
the proceeds therefrom which will, in
part at least, find their way into finan-
cial channels Neither bankers nor
railroad men are trying to mislead the
farmers in respect to their interest in
his business. This they are frank
enough to assert. Said the president
Of the Minnesota Bankers association.
If he is correctly reported II interest
ed our organization in lending aid to
the farmers by sending farm litera-
ture through the state giving valuable
suggestions as to the choice Of seed
corn and on other farming matters.
1t appeared to us that the prosperity
of the farmer was vitality related to
our own prosperity and there was moth
ing unsefsh in our motive" In due
rewara in increased deposits and COM
pensating bank profits. This is as it
should be. We are not criticising the
motive, but calling attention to an in
teresting and important fact.
1t may also be true, as 1t has been
asserted, that 30 per cent Of the bank
ers of the United States own farms
nd hot
gagged in the business Of farming. This
might be an additional reason for the
desire to improve farm conditions.
And that is well. But, whatever the
motive, the farmer can well afford to
meet the banker more than halfway.
But, while the banker Is interested in
new educational processes and new
laws to improve farm conditions. the
farmer will certainly not forget to
call his attention to the fact that he
has been compelled to pay these years
past a pretty high rate Of interest for
loans made by the banks, and it is
from this condition that he would most
like relief.
We understand this is one of the OBJ
| j.
ference at Briarcliff some time ago,
and it indicates one of the lines along
which their efforts shall be directed.
They are said to favor some plan SINH
lar to the system in vogue in France
and Germany, providing for long term
mortgages on farm lands at low rates
Of interest The farmers of the west
particularly will watch with eager in
| terest the bankers plans as they shall
develop in respect to cheaper loans.
Two other objects as declared by the
bankers are to increase the facilities
for agricultural education by provid-
ing for instruction in agriculture and
domestic science in high schools, also
vocational training in the city schools.
Another purpose is to seek federal aid
for farmers through appropriations for
the maintenance of field demonstration
experts in all agricultural states. The
former of these propositions the va
rious state bankers associations will
handle in their respective states, while
the latter principle Is embodied in bills
now before congress.
This newer movement for co-opera
ton between business organizations
as banks and railroads on the one
hand and the tilers of the soil on the
other, is an encouraging sign OF the
times. The plan is laden with large
possibilities.