The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-17
tBY C. p. WALpRoN)
President of the Tri- state Grain
Growers Association.

The advisability Of trying to Sc
cure large yields from the standpoint
Of profit has frequently been ques-
toned. Producers have often OBJ
served that over abundant crops
have gone begging for a market
often being finally disposed Of at d
price below the cost of production
or. in the case of perishable crops
like fruits and vegetables, left to rot
on the farm.
There has generally been the feel
ing that with proper distributing and
marketing facilities this condition
might not have been so pronounced,
but however that may be the pro-
Queer has generally believed that
moderate crops have returned the
highest profit to the producers as
whole.
While this has been true in mum
herIess cases it cannot be applied as
a general principle, especially to a
non perishable product that is pro-
aduued over a large part of the earth.
And, however, true il has appear
ed to be in average times when all
Countries are on q basis OF normal
production, in times like these when
overproduction OF any Of the agri-
cultural staples Is not even remote
tly possible we must overcome Tor
the time being any fears that We
may have entertained as to the dan
ger OF overproduction and increase
our agricultural output to the limit.
For 1t is not now a question or
profits but a question Of whether
we and those who are united with us
in tho struggle to maintain human
RIGHTS shall survive or perish as free
aud Independent peoples.
" - IL 10 not necessary to go into
statistics OF the worlds food supplies
10 convince Intelligent people Of the
truth of this. We would be glad to
believe that il might not be so but
so long as millions OF our allies are
faca TO face with starvation We can
not ignore nor mistake the Etua-
ton.
With all of our energies intelli-
gently and earnestly applied the most
enough 20 keep us in the hghting
lima unEn victory is achieved.
with the uncertainty existing not
only in Russia but IN other OF the
waxrfng countries, as we'll as those
not pet engaged, Il Is impossible for
any one at this time TO foreteU what
the faDtoEs and circumstances are
that win influence or determine the
result Of the ever dsadlier struggle
We have speculated over and over
on the many things that have been
set up from time to time as sure to
exert a deciding influence but wheth
or It be zeppeiins or tanks or sub
marines or revolutions, the balance
is somehow restored and the 4ghting
goes on.
There IL one factor, however that
is absolutely determining and so
greater than all the rest. Whatever
else we need to win the war that
we must have, and in such measure
that there shall be no uncertainty.
Once let there be a serious food
shortage either for the fighting men
or for the bulk Of the population that
remains at home, and nothing that
man can devise in the way OF night
ing machinery will make victory pos
sible.
Aside firm the considerations of
patriotism and humanity that would
seem to make it imperative for us 10
UNFOLD and main tain to our utmost
the traditions and institutions that
we hold most dear. our material ad-
vantages as farmers are also at
stake in this conflict.
Before war was declared, as one
Of the contributing causes OF war |
the German government proposed TO |
amount of produce that could be ship !
ped abroad each week. The amount |
was so Fidiculously small that 1t |
would have required fifty years to |
export the surplus Of a single years |
crop. What restrictions might be |
imposed upon us if we should ever |
find ourselves at the mercy OF this |
arbitrary power that knows no mercy /
nor Justice can readily be imagined. |
We have arrived at the time when |
we think we should be allowed a
voice in the disposition of our prod
ucts ana a rightful share in the prof
its that accrue as they pass into
the worlds markets. No one who
knows the spirit OF the American
farmer can imagine that he will ever
surrender this right, particularly to
an unscr1pulOus outside power.
The trade restrictions that would
be imposed upon the rest OF the
Including our own country, in
case Of German victory and her con-
sequent possession Of the English
fleet, can we'll be imagined when we
consider that this same power is at
this time Tuthlessly holding a ma
tion in actual slavery, accompanied
withal by the utmost barbarity
and cruelty.
Surely no man In his senses could
ever hope for even a degree Of justice
from q power that has thus revealed
it's treachsTous and oppressive spirit,
and In the very nature Of things the
farmers, the producers, would be the
first to feel the effects Of a policy Of
restriction and oppression.
With your prices made in Ger
many you would stand q. fine chance
Of getting more than q slaves re-
turn for your labora, while you
would be relieved from even talk
ing about grades and standards.
liz YOU think this L. too strongly
drawn imagine what the verdict Of :
the people Of Belgium and Poland /
would be IL they could express them
selves.
As a possible alternative we would
be compelled to buy our rights with
an Indemnity Of such staggering
dimensions that we would be deb
tors forever, paying a slaves ran
som. II
II has become evident that il will h
require the best that all of us can ]
DO 20 prevent such a catastrophe.
And what We do must be done
promptly. The coming year is the
critical time for the strain is 80 {
great upon both sides thot anything I
of importance may turn the tide. (
The burden that falls upon the /
farmers is now heavy ond will not {
soon become tighter, but they must {
bear II brayeIy and uncomplainingly 8
unto the end.
This Is all vel understood and
Easily RaAd but to point the specific I
practical ways in which the food I
supply for the coming year may be /
materially Increased Is quite anoth- q
BIZ uaatters
IL We All had thu seed needed and c
could command the labor and the I
sanita1. and could be assured that &
re vyof11a Year1 IN Foa rropOrtiou that