The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1917-03-17

InC unlANOTADAS COuOlllOnh I'D which
I have made reference, but the fact
that the conditions remain as have
described. Is evidence that all of these
influences combined have failed as yet
to accomplish the results intended. In
their efforts to secure the legislation
which they conceive TO be necessary
for promoting their interests. the farm
ers have stood apart from the general
business interests OF the community,
and have sought for such political al
liances as might offer in order to OBJ
tain the legislation which they deemed
requisite for their prosperity. The
business organizations OF the great
cities have pursued their own aims
without reference 10 those OF the farm
er. They have overlooked the fact
that agriculture Is the largest and pri.
mary interest Of the state, that ell
prosperity has Its origin in the abun.
dance or the crops and the prices OBJ
tanned for them, and that they should
perceive that the larger are the earn
ings OF agriculture the greater iR the
purchasing ability OF the people; and
that I'm promoting the welfare OF the
farming communities, they are Great
ing new and larger buyers, so that
the interests OF all are one, and no in
dustry can be neglected without injuri-
ously affecting every other.
An observation OF these and other
similar conditions. has led many to
feel a keen interest In the Agricultural
conditions prevailing throughout Penn
sylvania. Upon the reorganization OF
the Philadelphia Chamber OF Com
merce two years ago. II was perceived
that there was no more useful work to
which 1t could devote itself than TO a
study OF agricultural conditions. with
a view to improving the methods OF
growing shipping and marketing farm
products of all kinds. A committee OF
the Philadelphia Chamber under the
craftsmanship OF Mr. Charles s. Cal
we'll President of the Corn Exchange
Bank, has been diligently working up
on these problems, and a number or
agricultural conferences have been
held, out of which valuable results
must follow. The facts which ] have
stated should challenge the attention
OF every thoughtful business man In
the state. What is the matter with
the Pnnnsvlvaria farmer? Why Is II
that the products OF the Illinois, Iowa
or Minnesota farmer can be sold at
profit in Philadelphia, whilst the Penn
sylvania farmer with land Of unsur-
passed fertility, can not obtain the
cost of producing his crops? IT seems
to me that the solution of the difficulty
Is better cooperation between the
business and agricultural interests as
expressed in an article by Mr.. Carl
Vrooman, Assistant Secretary OF Agri-
culture, published in the November
Century, from which quote as follows:
"Manifestly, one of the best ways to
develop this spirit Of cooperation dur
ing our present transition period is for
the business man and the farmer 20
get together I'm spirit and In purpose,
to forget cid antagOntA@H, and, as far
an possible, iAfuae into the present Sra
something of the creative, beaencieat
spirit of the future"
How, then, Is this cooperation or
business men with the agricultural IN
terests to be brought about? 1t has
seemed to nae that there should be
closer union Of all the business inter
ests of the state, to the end that when
the farmer perceivos the legislative or
other measures which are necessary TO
promote his interests, he may cons
IDENTIFY count upon the interest and CO
operation of the great commercial or
ganiEationg in securing them. There
should be cooperation between the
farming organizations and every ether
interest, whether 1t be commercial, or
mining, or manufacturing or labor.
There can be no question as to the
potency OF public opinion In our sys-
tenn OF government. Every public ser
want, whether A member OF the legislR-
ture. an oHicer OF the commonwealth
or OF any municipality, IN eager to obey
the popular wit IL that will can be
truly aad accurately known. II has
seemed, therefore, that n valuable in
strumomtalfty fer co-ordinatiAg and
organizing the forces OF the state, is
to be found I'm the creation OF m State
Chamber Of Commerce, itg membeR-
ship to be made ND. frat, OF Chambers
of Commerce, trade organizations or
every kind, agricultural organizations
oranges, miners and every activity
now seeking the promotion OF the in
terSsts OF individual groups of bust
ness men. Such an organisation should
have a beheHcial influence upon bugi"
ness, and 1t could furthermore bring
about such improved methods OF mar
keting, cooperative selling and rail-
road facilities for getting products TO
the consumer, as can be achieved I'm
no other way. The operation OF this
organization would follow closely the
Chamber OF Commerce Of the u. s. A.,
It's policies being determined not by
any small group controlling its board,
but by referenda representing the &C
ton of all of It's constituent member
ship. Such an organization was form
ed In Harrisburg on the 9Th of Decem-
Der last, and is now seeking to include
g. E+a voaro bnrmhfn fha yariOua Cham