New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-01
THE FARMERS WOES
Why He May Not Increase Production ~
Mr.. Wilson Urges
To The Editor Of Tbs Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
| Siri I was much interested In President
Wilson's speech delivered before the National
Grange IN Washington on November IL. He
urged the farmers TO increase their output
He said, I'VE ought to raise such big crops
that circumstances like the present high
prices for food products can never recur."
Well, why don't the farmers raise bigger
crops?
You may ask any farmer here In Northern
New Jersey and the reply will be the same,
1--WE cant get help" The farm Is In most
cases a one-man affair. ard the poor man Ia
worked TO death" But even IL one could
get help the high wages paid to the hired
man would be more than the crops would
come to. Unfortunately TIE farmers hours
are long. The milking has to be done early
and the chores at night often stretch the
working time TO sixteen hours. Is it any
wonder that the farmers boys are attracted
to the railroads, munition plants or shops Of
our cities where they can get good wages and
short hours? The President goes on to say:
l"The physical life Of the nation has always
depended upon the farm. IL goes without
saying also that 70 large extent the physi-
cal life of the world has drawn its sustenance
from the great areas Of farm land in the
United States. The farmer has contributed
10 the life of all the countries Of the world
Which is undoubtedly true.
Well, if our farmers are tho backbone Of
the nation, doesn't it follow that they ought
to be helped in every way possible? Presj-
dent Wilson seems to take great credit to
himself in regard TO the legislation which
has been enacted for the benefit Of the
farmer, and he wonders il has not been done
before. I fail TO see how the rural credits
system helps US out. The bill itself presup-
poses that the farmer has TO borrow. We
farmers don't want TO engage In q business
where we have to borrow TO carry it on. We
can borrow all the money we want without
any rural credit system. What we want is a
business so prosperous that we don't have TO
borrow. I have yet 70 learn Of single
farmer in this section who has ayailed him.
self Of the rural credit system. II Is true
that we have made good in our fight for bet
ter milk prices, but no thanks % President
Wilson. good bit OF rich milk was poured
on the ground before we got Just price for
it. We received three cents quart last June,
and there have been seasons when we have
had to sell it for two cents and even less
than that
1t takes little research to find out the cause
or one of the contributing causes-of
the present high prices OF foodstuffs. There
are more consumers than producers. It's the
law of supply and demand.
It is no wonder that any self-respecting
young man will hesitate 20 ask the girl he
loves to take upon her young shoulders the
burdens OF farmers wife. IL 10 no wonder
that our best young men seek careers else
where.
President Wilson also goes on to say: "In
-. .Lo1 L.,
ton at every point where it is susceptible OF
being increased" Words Wordsl Wordsi
Will President Wilson please tell US how We
can make bricks without straw?
A FARMERS DAUGHTER.
Blairstown, ~ j., Nov. 20, 1916.