The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1917-09-20
SETTING THE PRICE OF THINGS

|
In the last few weeks several far
mers and grain dealers have been call
ing attention to the relative cOndi-
tions existing between the prices on
grain and the cost of foodstuffs pro-
duced from grain. The dealers are
desirous that more publicity be given
the new regulations that are ensuing
so far as grain is concerned and at
this particular time, when farmers
are completing their threshing and
are placing their crops on the mar
ket, it is necessary that they should
have such information as will enable
them to handle their stuff advantag-
eously.
Many perplexing problems are de-
veloping. There is much uncertainty
and farmers who have no storage
room are facing the situation with
more or less misgiving. With the gov
ernment in control of all food and the
regulation of prices, neither producer
nor consumer is certain of his stat
US.
The action of the government in
fixing a stable price on wheat for
instance is all right, provided all 9th
er commodities are priced according
". Personally we believe it is unfair
to establish an unsliding price on one
commodity, while prices on others are
nermitted to find their position with
ont let or hindrance. We are certain
that most farmers will agree with US
that all things being equal, two dol
lars the bushel for wheat is reason
able, but all other products should
be placed upon common level, espe-
cially flour, because of the direct re-
latjon it bears to wheat. Having set
the precedent, why should federal &C
ton in price establishment be limit
ed?
Suppose we fix the price Of wheat
at a permanent point and the price
of flour accordingly-why not then
extend the same control over house.
hold goods and farm equipment. II
in arriving at 81 a bushel as fair
nrice on wheat, why not by the same
nrocess of reasoning find fair price
to be set upon machinery, dry goods
and clothing, foodstuffs and all neces-
saries? If price is to be fixed on
wheat alone, it is our opinion tnat
farmers will not submit willingly to
the proposition, unless correspond
inply scale of prices is established for
the commodities which they must pur-
chase for the maintenance OF tnelt
e.:l;o, and thair farms
The farmers constitute the coun-
try's most important wealth producing
source. They must not be placed un-
der burdens that will restrict their
willingness and their energy. Not so
many months ago, state and nation
were diligently engaged in urging our
farmers to double their acreages and
to increase their crop production in
every way possible. Meetings were
held in farming communities and the
need of greater production was con-
stantly emphasized with the assur-
ance that prices were going to attain
new high points-the highest in his
torv. declared many. Under this stim-
illus the farmers responded at much
dent unusual needs that were arising
and now comes the plan to place u
limit on the price Of the very essen
tials that have been raised so gen.
! erously.
Were the price to apply only to the
crop of next year, farmers could
adapt themselves to the situation well
enough, but as it is many of them
have assumed hardships in producing
present crops and will be under the
| necessity of assuming more or less of
! loss.
If we are to have price regulation,
let it be upon all commodities and
especially upon the finished products
! in accordance with the raw material.
Let the price be fair, living one,
just to both the seller and buyer-a
| price that will meet with the APPROX
:, IL f~;r ~, ;pdod mon