Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1918-08-30

/
uohal call Tor increased wheat pro-
duction. The cost OF cropping the
ground and the price OF seed were
much above normal, Where two un.
toward seasons occur, even though in
many cases they be the first in a 20
year period, many will become dis-
eoaraged and others become insoly-
ent. The need for wheat the COMING
year will doubtless be as great as il
| Is now.
1t does not seem reasonable to ex-
pect the farmer, under the conditions
as recited herein, to continue to take
all the chances. 1t is not suggested
that he should receive something for
nothing, but that method should
properly be devised for affording him
Il reasonable protection for the
chances he necessarily has to take
when contending with the elements.
| over which no control can be exer-
clsed, In past years grain crops in
Montana were seriously menaced by
| hail. Hall-insurance companies were
In business, charging exorbitant rates
and at times defaulting in payments.
Ihere is now in effect state hail in
surance law, which is operating sue
| cessfully, economically and depend
ably, and affording protection to the
farmers who elect to become subject
to 1t, so that in the event of the de-
struction of a field of grain by hail
they will receive at least more than
they have invested in the crop. Some
such method should be devised to
protect the farmer against other fail
ures. 1t is not to give him charity or
gift, but to furnish him with in
surance 10 the end that he will be
sure to receive at least what it has
cost him to plant the crop plus re-
Enumeration for his labor, in the
event that there be an absolute fail
over which he could exercise no con-
troll. Such insurance should be ma
tional. If adopted at once it would
bring hope and inspiration to those
who are now seriously discouraged,
and keep on the farms many men
who otherwise would answer the call
OF the manufacturing centers, where
life may be more alluring and re-
wards are definite and assured. A
scheme OF insurance can readily be
worked out under the operations OF
which no unworthy person could L.
ceive benefit; the cost may De
borne by the farmers themselves or
the national government may CON
tribute to the fund; the fund should
be administered by the government.
Provision may be made to prevent
the application of the law to areas
not cultivated in the past until after
the same would have been examined
and reported upon by representatives
of the Department of Agriculture to
the effect that such localities are rea-
sonably adapted to agricultural pur-
suits. Reasonable protection can
easily be devised for determining the
losses, which may be limited to a
stated maximum figure sufficient
only to cover the cost incurred and
small margin for labor and living ex-
penses.
There seems to be specific need
at this time for this form of legisla-
ton; the operations of the federal
land banks can be better assured and
extended if such insurance be pro-
vided, and many men who naturally
will become discouraged at repeated
failures may be kept on the farms
and inspired to make renewed efforts
for the coming season if means be
provided to insure them small re-
turn for their labor, even though the
elements be against them.