The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-20
Financing the Farmers.

President Taft has given his strong
approval to the proposition OF hnanc.
ing the farming interests Of the coun-
try, and this, thinks the Cincinnati
Enquirer, cannot fail to advance the
idea, and IL Is to be hoped that the
measure will assume such form as to
command the affirmative action Of
Congress and the various State Legis-
latures." The Enquirer continues.
Loans at low rates OF interest. with
the privilege Of paying the principal
by installments. or a fixed period Of
amortization Of such loan through
small regular payments. would UNI
doubtediy prove not only Of great
benefit to the farmers. out would ex-
ercise a powerful influence for good
results upon all classes OF business
dependent upon financial ease in agri-
cultural districts.
whenever and wherever the high
costs Of living are discussed 1T must
be admitted that the laws Of supply
and demand are the primary influences
in determining prices, and If these
laws are in full and free operation.
with assured and certain ample sup
plies, prices win not be unfair or un-
reasonable.
1T must be conceded that not only
in the United States. but in the entire
world, the demand upon the agricultural
productions is steadily growing. and
in the very nature of things, with
increase in the urban and suburban
populations, with the constantly grow
ing numbers OF people in other occu-
pations than cultivating the soil. with
the higher standard OF living that Is
rapidly extending in all countries.
f<1l fvorr cod N
from the farms If the demands are
to be met at reasonable, and fair
prices.
City and country should therefore
insist upon this financial system.
which will enable the farmers to ex-
tend their operations without the
dangers existing IN short-time loans,
which will enable them with safety to
equip their farms with proft-produc-
ing machinery. to improve their farms
with buildings and aid them In
thousand ways to make their acres
yield more in every form of produc-
ton for the markets, as we'll as in
profit to the farmers themselves.
Not a legislative or financial meas
ure has been proposed since the es-
Establishment of the government that
surpasses In Importance ana in ma
TONY wide beneficial effects this propo-
sition to finance the farmers. who
have so long been embarrassed by
difficulty OF obtaining needed funds
at low rates of interest ana to be
repaid In convenient amounts during
long periods Of time"
A system Of cooperative banks, es-
peciaily to meet the needs, yea, the
demands above referred to, has been
discussed at length by several writ
ers in the columns Of various issues OF
this section of The Times-Dispatch-
Such a system Of banks might be OF
greater benefit than the government
proposition that President Taft has
so strongly approved. But. be that as
il may. it is high time something
along these lines were being done.
and it Is we'll that the subject Is De-
ing so generally discussed.
Only q Little Cloud, Nsw Gone.
The Indianapolis News gleefully de-
clares that probably there never was
a campaign In which business was SO
little disturbed as this one. As a
rule. the representatives of great In
dustries are paying little attention
to politics. They are tending to busi-
ness. and the results are obvious.
Crops are likely to be record break
ers. The volume OF trade Is large.
The demand for labor Is greater than
the supply. There is no reason why
any one able and willing to work
should be idie-at least, this IL true
in indianapolis. Reports from the