Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-16
The Farmers Patriotism

which he would not so understand II
he we're acquainted with farming con-
ditions Farmers are not hesitating
while attempting TO force the govern
ment to grant terms, as did the
railway brotherhoods, and nothing in
our utterances or those Of any farm
er's letter We have approved should
lead any man so to think. We know,
II our critic does not. that the farmers
Of Maine have fought a hard battle in
recent years; that their business is one
cr a.,re chs noes than any other: that
they know when they have reached
the limit Of gamble and physical cndur-
ance much better than does anyone
now Offering suggestions or giving in
structions. and that if the government
or any financial or industrial orSaniz-
alton wants the farmer TO do more
than he has been willing to undertake
for himself, LEI them step in and share
the extra hazard
We have never suggested any fur-
Their bar ter" than this.
II Is perfectly obvious TO even
government as blind to everything but
Iolitlcs as our national organization at
present that the farmer had no inten-
ton uf haltinC or of slowing up his
business this year Any person
would admit tina; in consideration of
the high cost Of everything he has to
hu''. that the farmer would do "A little
more than usual. if possible, this Year
in order 10 meet the drain upon his re-
souiccs.
Huf tre federal government. with
precedence that made Bryan premier
and gent pers hing into Mexico, chose
10 begin & drive on the farmers for ex-
tended physical endeavor and financial
nu'iny. From White House to the last
corridor. in the last bureau Of
tho last department Of our gov
"rnment the bounding Of the farm
or began. II was assumed, as has
hccn privately expressed by some of
the wise suys engaged in the work of
oINihg the farmers. that as a rule he
o. hay, improvidcnt, uniformed and
really doesn't krow enough to take in
hia chimney when the wind blows.
Driving the farmers at once became
;he hobby; all the states took it up,
3 nd wherever county or town sup
oytcd a group that knew enough to
tell the farmers all about it, there the
erive was taken up. In New York,
Philadelphia, Boston, and other large
cites are Impressive organizations
ending out cords or literature telling
ho farmers how to do IT, In fact we
ar" convinced that the waste in use
lass litcrature-rapcr. clerk hire and
poSta would have successfully
planted and cultivated a million acres
# wheat land ii the energy had been
npphed with the common sense ac-
credited To the horse.
Md every Towering branch of wis
dom In every profession industry and
walk of life, proceeds to tell the farm
or. how. what. and when to do it.
Letting the farmer do il. is the great
popular pastime. He was farmed for
billions ~ shining dollars last year. he
ought To he good for twice as many
next year. IL the administration and its
apes and satellites can heckle and
bout him into extra investments and
longer hours. Every day the govern
ment's "watchfuI waiting" adds mil
lions to the piles already accumulated
10y food spectators.
There is no hurry to interfere OF
course. because wheat formers sold
their wheat last fall for 81 so cents and
New England farmers are now paying
plump 81 for IT,
There should be no hurry to stop the
food gambling. because Maine farmers
sold their potatoes last fall at from $50
To $3.50 per barrel and spring planters
arc now paying $40 barrel for the
same seed from the cold storage hous-
es Of spectators.
tets such n beautiful and fascinating
game. this driving the farmers. why
does not some one Of the genius Of our
business men TO increase their en-
Gcavors and Investments in the name
II patriotism II is Just as logical,
just as fair. no less idiotic. The
country.is in danger Of restricted bus
mess and consequent suffering be-
cause OF selfish and pig-headed
boarding Of supplies and money that
ought to be in circulation. Let some
Of these wise guy bankers and law
yers and city editors who know all
the farming problems. start drive to
INCREASE business and do something
for the country. as the boys who en-
list are doing. Why not urge large
financial interests that know all about
farming to furnish capital for some Of
the poor farmers and share risks and
profits with them?
They want the farmer to take the
chances on unusual amounts Of high
priced seed and fertilizer but they