New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-23

I they were $3.50 in Minneapolis, thirty
miles away, and the farmers could not
get cars 20 move their product 20
market. This year | know there Is
said to be an unusual state OF ahalrs
on the railroads because of the wa,
but it is a funny thing-there is al
ways something unusual when the
farmer wants cars.
Many Let Potatoes Rot.
This year the cry Of treason was
raised when farmers unable TO get
their potatoes into market began 70
put them into pits. Il scared many
into letting their potatoes rot in the
fields. They were told that secret serv-
ice men were after them and they
did not dare in many instances TO take
any chances of getting into trouble.
As a matter Of fact, those that did PIT
their potatoes were doing the patriotic
thing in saving food that otherwise
would have gone TO waste. :,
In North Dakota we have had we'll
known, definite programme OF state
owned elevators and mills. This pro-
gramme has been held up by reac-
tionary Senate that has made impos-
sible the amending Of the constitution
so that this project, demanded by the
people, can be carried out. This mat
ter therefore goes over TO 1919. Then
it will go through.
In the meantime we are working in
other States and building up our mem
bership. The dues-paying membership
now totals 100000. That lets out Of
the reckoning many thousands more
who are so poor they cannot pay the
SO a year that we ask. Originally we
collected two years dues in advance.
We found that by insisting on this we
barred from membership many that we
very much wanted in our ranks. Now
we take full cash where we can get
It. few months dues in the cases OF
others, and yet others give US post
dated checks or notes and trust to luck
to have the money when the note or
check is due. If they haven't 1t, the
note or check has to be extended.
Minnesota farmers are ready TO vote
men who stand with US into power in
that State. They have been victimized
as much by the Minneapolis crowd as
the farmers of North Dakota. II any
thing, they are keener than our folks
in North Dakota for change in the
existing conditions.
Will Have Stations in Big Cities.
They appreciate that eventually there
must be some system by which they
and not non-producers will get the BEN
eft Of their labors.
| know that the city man is inclined
to be skeptical of the results of our
movement. He is apt to ask how we
will dispose of the product of our
state-owned mills when we have them.
We are not worrying about that just
now. But when we get ready we will
have our distributing stations right
here in the big cities. We will come
when we are ready 10 come.
It may be said that this ia nom
sensical. Perhaps. 1t is, as matter Of
cold, fact, no more nonsensical than is
the distribution scheme now used by
the orange growers. They have so
centralized shipping and distribution
that they always get fair price for
their fruit and the public always gets
fruit at fair price.
The pressing need Of the moment,
however, is some way IN which the
farmers Of the Northwest may OBJ
tain money to finance next years
crops. Contrary to the popular belief
in the East, the farmer is not made
wealthy By 1920 wheat. In the first
place. he does not get that price
ali we get in North Dakota is s1.s5.
the fixed price being the basic price
for deliveries at central points. That
should not exist. The government,
now that It is the only buyer. should
nav as much for wheat in one place
as another.
I am going TO ask that the govern
ment do something for us in the mat
ter Of financing. If it wants the large
wheat acreage il had this year it will
have 10 provide some means of raising
tho money for us. The banks can
Give ms no more. and pending outside
aid our people do not see how they
can escape reducing acreage by per-
haps % per cent.