Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-29

ASH lN'iToN, II. G. July IS A
fcw days ago President wilson signed
tho rural credits bill. and a plan 10
meet on" of the greatest American ac-
ricultural problems was formally
launched. There sun remains another.
question which mus, be solved before
American agriculture is really on
sound and logical business basis
There Is an important bill. nov in the
Commtttc" stage Of it's life, designed
20 answer this second question by
means Of an official organization ~
all the 100000 farmers in the United
States.
The rural crcdi,; bill is designed Ia
time money, which Will put him in 4
position 10 develop his land properly
and "wn Il when II is developed. But
the financial problem is only ono OF
the farmers problems. The problem
Of efficient production is another one:
but in meeting this tho American
farmer has the assistance of tho Fed
cral department Of Agriculture. per
haps tn. most elaborate and c,Nci.n,
organization I'm The world for the study
" problems ot production Tho
farmers third problem however.
brings M another story.
IT is tho problem OF markctiuE ~
hndinE buyer. and II is tho con-
scnsus OF opinion that in this respect
American agriculture is in bad way.
other nations. The hill introduced into
the House and Senate proposes TO rem
edE this state OF affairs hy the crca-
ton Of a new and elaborate orcaniza-
iion which viii link every farmer with
every other farmer and every buyer.
II is hardly worth while 10 cite ca SOS
from tho sheavcs available where the
consumer has paid fancy prices for
som" article OF food while tho farmer
hftE miles away had the same articl"
by tn" hushcl rottinG on the ground
The problem Is being attacked from a
dozen different sides by local orgauiza-
tons. by cities. counties and some
times by states. hut the evil 10 a
greater or lesser degree still persists
There is no blame 20 be attached TO
any particular class. The fault is
seen :" lie primarily with tho system.
ana the system is wrong because IL
- blind and wastcful
Fault OF blind System.
IN" situation may he summed up by
saying that Tho consumer PAYS too
much for farm products, aud the
farmer gets TOO little FOR them To
lay The blame on the middlcmcn is
an easy. but erroneous. way OF plac-
ing the responsibility. The mddlcmen
for the most part perform Indispensable
services. and, as for their exorhitant
prohts. YOU do not see tho corner
grocer touring across the continent in
with system that works in the dark.
that dumps potatoes on To "A market
already Hooded with potatoes. that
ships carrots to Philadelphia and tur-
nirf I" Boston when Boston wants
carrots and Philadelphia wants tur-
nips
No ono is arguing that the system
~ not wrong; and critics are agreed
'hat what is lacking is good system
OF reports by which the producer can
ma the best market of the moment
not IN MS county or his state. but in
me United States Of America The
california Fruit Growers Association
Is often cited as an example Of how
an organization OF this sort can func-
non. The association may shin u car
OF oranges Ia Chicago While the car
- crossing Kansas tho news comes
that oranges arc off in Chicago and
up IN Cincinnati. The destination OF
:hc car is changed by telegraph In
stead Of going to Chicago II goes 60
'lhc'hnat'. The people Of Cincinnati
get oranges at lower price than
they would have otherwise. and the
orange grower gets better price for
his fruit
Something like this. bmt much
broader and more comprehensive than
this. IS the goal set by most Of our
market reformers. The hill now be-
fore Congress. introduced in the Sen
House by Mr.. Goodwin. proposes to
solve the problem in this fashion
Provides National Chamber.
It provides for the establishment or
national chamber OF Agriculture. This
chamber is TO consist al first of nine
members appointed by the President.
at least sin OF whom are practical
farmers. The national chamber would
he organized as corporation in the
District of Columbia. over which Con
Crcss has direct mrisdiction aud as
such would operate in all the different
States.
The real unit OF the national cham.
bcr. however. as designed in the hill.
would consist Of tho farmers Of each
individual township in the United
states. When twenty farmers in n
township should organize. they would
he granted n charter by the national
chamber. Each member OF the local
organization is to have one vote. and
each local organization is to have it's
own officers, and levy what fees and
dues its constitution may provide
When four or more townships in a
given county have organized their To- |
cal chamber. they are to get together
and apply for a charter for county
chamber. which the national chamber
will grant. This county chamber will |
in turn maintain as much Of a staff