Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-05
The "ReaI" National Problem.

erS Union OF maine, tnaI SnOuIO dp-
peal to other interests as we'll as the
farmers. We believe Mr.. Embree
struck the right key when he said that
the problem confronting the farmers
and the country is not so much the
scientific growing Of agricultural
product as it is the scientific encour-
agement Of produce growers.
The country, a few months ago. dis
covered that the hundreds of millions
Of dollars invested in railways were
not getting fair returns. 1t mattered
not to the country as whole that the
railway organizations had been sys'
tematically robbed in the personal in
terests Of a few skilful manipulators.
the organizations mus. be rescued and
maintained because the country needs
them as vita! part Of its prosperity.
investigations" exposed gigantic
frauds but the people must stand
these losses and take measures tore
habilitate and support the business.
The millions upon millions that had
been stolen could not be restored. but
the country philosophically resolved
to forget it" and increase the re-
turns of capital honestly invested so
that the business so vital to the
country should be encouraged to go on
itc.c 10 IL
as liquid asset"
In every state and city we see
boards Of trade, chambers Of COM
merce and other organizations NOV
ing heaven and earth to aid industrial
activities, securing credit abatement
Of taxes, and furnishing buildings and
equipment. 1t is the accepted and ex-
pected method of encouraging BUSH
ness"
These are concrete examples: every
business man can recall many others
of the kind. And every hour we are
complaining of the constantly increas-
Ing cost OF living, and go on wonder
ing why the producer gets only
small per cent. of that we pay for the
necessaries Of life. We hope you will
read what Mr.. Embree says about it.
Then we hope you will consider what
another writer said the other day.
that mo country can become richer
than its lands. From the soil comes
our food and clothing; all other hu-
man needs are subordinate to these.
Food is the chief material concern of
life-its production the most impor-
tant occupation"
a great manufacturing industry has
just issued an attractive pamphlet in
which it is declared that, "Every farm
is factory. In every state there are
thousands Of these factories which
need our best thought and effort to
mako them productive"
The writer should have added:
And to make the business of farming
attractive as calling and it's securi-
ties attractive as an investment"
At another point in the same circu-
lar we read: THE opportunity Of the
town lies in the country. Corn.
wheat and hay-beef, pork and poul-
try-these are the home builders of
great cities"
Yet in this very hour of existence
we see chambers Of commerce" Civ
ing cash bonuses and free factory
sites. in the grabbing Of Industries
from each other; while at their ell
bows lie greater possibilities that are
sneered at.
Have you ever heard Of a board of
trade engaged in the promotion of a
nay campaign in the surrounding
farm "factories,' for the ENCOURAGE
ment Of business and the employment
of labor? Yet hay means beef and
pork and poultry, all Of which beckon
to storage plants and packing houses
Have you noticed a chamber of COM
Ile1Cc urging investment IN a great
berry producing farm factory" that
would provide picking and packing
and allied labor outgrowths?
Who ever heard of Board of
Trade and Farming?
Has any one of our readers ever
heard of a chamber of commerce en-
gagged in securing deserved returns for
labor and investment in agriculture,
to the end that the farmer have more
money to invest in his business and
thus insure his prosperity and conse-
quent upbuilding Of the cities and
towns at hand?
AS matter of fact, the farmer is
exploited at both ends Of the bargain.
AS a rule, all Of the money received
for farm produce in our locality goes
for food and feed that should be raised
at home. And the armer receives
about 80 per cent of the price his con-
sumers pay for his product, and pays
twice as much for the food and feed