The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1918-02-21
FACE EIGHT
Farmers Were Not Enthusiastic.

Farmers Were Not Enthusiastic.
Hugh J. Hughes, one Of the editors.
of farm paper and styling himself
chairman Of the marketing committee
Of the public safety commission, adj
dressed number of farmers-proba-
bly, $50 at the armory yesterday af-
ternoon on the potato situation. He
told story that was not well re-
ceived by the farmers in attendance
in fact the farmers were better post
ed on the propositions set forth than
was the speaker.
Mr.. Hughes stated that the surplus
Of potatoes was partially caused by
the amount of tubers planted in back
yards last year and that this has
largely contributed to "damming up
the sources Of consumption and Great
ing dull market" He said that po-
tatoes were cheap in comparison with
other foods. Every consumer is aware
of this. I.
He seemed to confine his remarks
largely to the prevailing prices in the
Twin Cities, saying he did not believe
it right to charge from $1.6O to 50 per
bushel at retail, but he was unable to
suggest any relief.
The meeting, however, was called to
show yhow the farmers could obtain
higher prices for their potatoes, but
the. answer is still forthcoming
Hughes was unable to solve the prop
osition.
The only question, Mr.. Hughes said,
is how to prevent the spread of prices ?
He advised the cooperation of grow
ers, the building Of big warehouses by
the farmers and the shipping of pota-
toes early in the fall to southern
points to be stored. Every grower
knows that this is an impossibility.
His particular scheme seemed to be
that of advising the farmers to organ
lie a shippers association-to ship
their potatoes through an agent en-
ployed by them. This has, however,
been tried by them and found to be
a failure. .E
What the farmers at the meeting
wanted to know was how they could
obtain reasonable prices for their po-
tatoes. Mr.. Hughes, however, failed
to convince them how this could be
DONE unless through the cooperative
scheme suggested by him. He admit
ted that the consumers should have
cheaper potatoes and growers higher
prices. .a~
After prophesying that the shortage
of cars would be greater next year
than this, he said that demand
should be made upon McAdoo to fur
nlsh more transportation; yet, withal,
he advised the farmers to ship their
stuff rapidly. How are the farmers
to ship their potatoes if there are no
cars? That was the question asked
by several farmers who have been
raising potatoes for many year. ~;
4AAS opSohCA ouSScSCSu LQdC an OF
ganization be formed to cut out the
wholesalers, but we are of the opinion
that the majority of the farmers were
averse to the suggestion, taking into
consideration the fact that an enor-
NOUS expenditure would be necessary
to build mammoth warehouse here
and to provide for the storage of pota-
toes at southern points. The farmers
are level-headed as a rule, and several
of them, discussing the question with
us, remarked that the proposition was
preposterous and that the speaker did
not know what he was talking about.
Hughes said that he believed in
grading potatoes, but was averse to
price fixing. However, he remarked,
as the government had fixed the price
on wheat, he thought it only fair that
the prices on potatoes and other things
should be fixed.
Many a farmer who drove miles to
hear Hughes speech went home dis
appointed. 1t was hardly worth the
trip. -