The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-05-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington City,
May 10. 1915.

May 10. 1915.
Considerable discussion is going
the rounds Of the press nowadays
pointing out ways and means where
by the agricultural classes can reach
salvation.
One of the themes that is receiving
a vast deal of attention just now is
the idea of substantial and practi-
cal rural credit system.
While endeavoring to find an
easy, cheap and plausible way Of
borrowing money we should not lose
sight of the equally if not greater
way of not borrowing money at all.
Now 1t is fact that a majority of
farmers are so circumstanced that
they are compelled to borrow money
or buy on credit, while others con-
duct their business in a manner that
places them in a situation that they
can farm upon cash basis. / venture
the asser ion that thorough bust
ness methods, such as are practiced
in the mercantile and banking world
will make it possible for a vast ma
jority of farmers to operate upon a
cash basis
The great central idea that should
govern, that does control the big
business enterprises is to proceed up
on the view of. not asking loans at
all, as a safety valve to business
however in the event we should have
to borrow, why as matter of course,
a practical way of obtaining loans,
is greatly desirable.
Nearly everyone takes a turn in ad-
vising the farmers, and when you
come to think about it, this is not
at all strange, for the farmer sup
ports the world, and the world is
not only interested, but dependable
upon his prosperity
1t can be correctly observed in pas
sing along that the farmer is ad-
mirably modest however in the mat
ter, of advising other professions.
There are number of indispensable
positions but none as much so as
agriculture We have just got TO
have it. | hear very intelli-
gent gentleman ask an eminent ply
stefan once, CDR, how is it that the
men of the medical profession seem
as a rule SO successful, more so than
the average profession, is it because
they are more intellectual?" mo,
was the learned doctors reply, sit is
because nine tenths of the patients
would get well if they never had a
doctor" This observation cannot be
made about the farmer for life is
dependent upon the products of his
fertile ana fruitful fields.
Therefore the farmer should not
become veXed because of the general
feeling in his behalf, and generous
inclination of all to advise him, it
is because Of conscientious sense
OF our dependency that makes every
one so much concerned about his
welfare. l think | am correct in
remarking that there is as much sim
cerity and as profound desire
among ali classes and professions to
see the farmer prosperous and in
dependent as was ever manifested
upon the part of all in behalf Of any
class or profession.
Now since agriculture cannot or
is not being conducted without a
credit system it therefore becomes d
matter of the greatest importance
that a practical way be provided of
borrowing money and that they be
emancipated from the heavy interest
burdens thatsthey have borne so pa
tiently already too long.
The five cardinal ideas formins
the base of practical rural credits
are-first-simplicity of construc-
ton, second, low rate of Interest,
third, short ard long term loans,
fourth, Positive security against mo-
ney lending moncpolies, fifth the alb
solute reliability of collaterals.
fabrication OF operation has got
to be kept in mind if the aim of q
low rate of in terest is to be approx
mated. The Importance of the law
under discussio On cannot be stressed
too much, you cannot overestimate
the good of wise rural credit tc
agriculture Neither can you IN
derestimate the damage to the same
OF an unwise and impractical one. A
essFs.- Nss