Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-04

ed a glut from which the man who had
| toiled to produce was the principal
sufferer. To ask the farmer to extend
his crop areas for patriotism and then
allow him to be penalized for So doing
/ does not stimulate that sentiment or
encourage him to repeat the expert
ment.
If the Nation would expect the farm
ers to come to its rescue, then it must
so to the rescue of the farmers.
There was some excuse for our re-
miss handling of the crop distribution
this past year. The war caught us
early in the Spring. Despite the gov
crnment's utmost efforts and because
Of the delays in Congress it was not
until Aug. 10 that the Food Admins
1ration measure became law. Mean
while, the farmers and gardeners had
responded to the appeal to increase
food production; there was not time
to regulate food distribution; the
Spectator stepped in. and in dis
graceful number of instances it was
the nonproducing mddleman who
won and the farmer who lost.
Indeed, in tile handling of certain
big staples in which the Government
succeeded in controlling the eX-
changes. the farmers did not fare 50
badly. But those who raised miscel-
laneouS crops and relied on a fairly
direct delivery to the market We're less
fortunate-tO say the least. Specula-
tors made money at the farmers ex-
pense. That is easily said; but behind
it, for the farmer. is Il Summer OF
b3cEHcIlP and nari1DnS 80
heartache
The Spectator is entitled to his
measure of profit for undertaking. the
risk and trouble of distribution. But
When the farmer has to sweat to pro.
duce our food and then has to stand by
helplessly and observe the Spectator
divide the profit with him and keep
the lions share the farmer is justified
in regarding the system as slightly de-
receive. The necessities of the war de-
mand that the function of dtribution
winch we have too long releSated to ir-
responsible spectators should be con-
trolled by the government This
change is now on the way. Already
the farmer has been guaranteed mini
mum price on wheat. Already the re-
tail prices arc coming under govern
pent control. The leak occurs where
'he men buy from the farmers and sell
70 the retailers, and this leak the gov
eminent must and will mend.
we cannot expect the farmers 10
feed US by penaiiZing themselves. We
cannot ask them to produce bumper
crops for the benefit of the food profit
ecr. Under the Food Administration
authority exists and upon machinery
I can be created to buy up surplus food
S'ulrS. t. provide for their storage and
preservation, to arrange for their cheap
and rapid distribution by agencies
which will exact as little toll from the
producer and yield MIN as high a re-
ward rs tie transaction will Justify
1t is wholesome for memories winch
60 back % years to reflect on the
change Of public attitude toward the
farmer. The cheap jokes of the alleged
comic papers Of that period at the far
mer's expense have come to be rec
ogniZed as the hooreh stupidity which
they were intended to derde. The shoe
is on the other foot The farmer. the
man who labors with his hands in the
industry which is tho first necessity
for the life Of tho race, now commands
the respect which he deserves On him
rest industry. government, orga nized
society in peace or in war: yes and life
itself. To i'idiculo him or his job is 10
make oneself ridiculous by ridiculins
great Nature herself
To panaliZe him. or allow him To be
penalzed hy a shoddy system of dist1i-
button and exchange. is to penalze the
whole of society and hence to inilrc
ourselves.
UNCLE DUDLEY