The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-02-26
SEEN
IN EXCESS
f00DPR0FIT
Farmer and Legitimate
Dealer Not Getting
The "Velvet"
SOME ONE MAKING
UNFAIR RETURN
Washington &ci al
BIames Inefficient
Method of Distribution
BY gibson GARDNER.

nV tfLNV& O1H0~' %
WASHINGTON. Feb. ee.-ls the
middlemAn chiefly responsible for
the high cost OF living: Who gets
the extortionate proht'
As applied 10 farm products
asked this question OF Carl vroo-
man. assistant secretary Of ssrieui'
ture.
That said be, lis dificuli
question TO answer orf-hand or even
after investigation. bat perhaps
can tell you a story which Will
throw light on the subject.
Sometime last winter New
England grocer who had bought a
barrel OF apples for $3.50. found in
the barrel a note from the farmer
in whose orchard the fruit had been
grown. saying I got s2-So for this
barrel OF apples. How much did
you pay for it, don't know
whether the grocer replied TO the
farmer or not, but al any rate here
il clear evidence that the distriou-
tor, whom 7 shall call the leEiti-
mate middleman paid more than
twice as much az the farmer re
ceived for this product. and. Of;
course. the consumer paid even
more. for the grocer was in busi-
ness for his living and was desir-
Gus Of making his profit.
"Asa rule several mlddlemen anu
sometimes several series OF middle
men stand between the farmer and
the ultimate consumer Because OF
this system. which has grown up
thru the fault OF nobody In particr-
lar. the farmer very often has
feeling OF righteous Indignation
when the consumer jumps on him
for riding around in automobiles
and not producing enough food for
the country. But the consumer Is
far from being correct in his sup
position tina; the farmer Is the one
Who In making an unjust pront.
There are cases on record like the
one have just mentioned IN which
il is perfectly true that the more
the farmer produces the less pro
pcrtionately he gets in return
The greA, problem In agrfcli-
trie today is not more production
but better production which shall
BE- profitable 70 the farmer There
Is no reason in me world Why sxTi-
cultural production should not b so
adjusted and regulated that the
farmer will receive fair profit for
his crops. and that the consumer
win be able TO buy them az a fair
price Somewhere along the line
between the man who grew the bar.
rel OF apples and received sac for
them and the grocer who paid $3.50
fos them. there was one or more
people who got more than they
should ret for the legitimate bust
ness OF transportation aud whole
sailing
III all farmers who grew apples
potatoes. onions. turkeys. strawber
ries or other crops which 20 direct
ly in boxes from farm 10 stors
would follow the practice of tbs
New England orohsrdisi, we would
BE- in the way OF securing some ex
tremely valuable Information which
would throw light on one OF ths
most vital questions in agriculture
today.
Cooperative systems OF buying
and selling. II developed with a
true and fair regard 10 both pro
dccer and consumer. will work won
ders in our social life today. am
glad that the cooperative move
ment In advancing in this country
tho am sorry that II 10 not Sdvanc
ing a. rapidly as Il should advance
The recent political revolution Ia
North Dakots. which seems 20 b.
fundamentally a revolt OF the OF
CANNED agricultural interest,
against certain interests which or
the one hand stood between th'
agricultural interests and the con
sumner. and between the agricultur
al interests and their own prosper
ity. on the other. IL a most healthy
sign OF the times. n the new farm
ers' administration In North Da
kota fulhlls the promise which II
has held out. this movement is Ger
tain 10 spread and reach into every
corner Of the United States
The ultimate success OF this
movement will mean that the far
mer will receive better price for
his toll and skill. and that the con
sumer-which means every one OF
us-will secure better ar well as
cheaper living