Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-07
FROM OTHER VIEWPOINTS Z
National Problems
Authoritative
WHEAT AND THE PRICE, LEGISLATION AND RESULTS
A.. Ii

Why this sudden patriotic interest
anu economical Spasm about the price
OF wheat, and all this worry about poor
on account of tho loss that he will sus-
tam ~ carrying out his contract with
crop?
Let us look Mt this thing minute
ana withhold our condemnation OF tho
come FACTOR for the world. Let us in
spect tho causes of all this outDurst OF
interest and anxiety about our dear
First, do not forget tina, the people
ernment loses anything 1t is the whole
not get something for nothing, nor can
they avert footing up any loss to the
public treasury. Therefore. any legis-
iation that uurports TO Tighten the peo-
Pies responsibility Is an absurdity,
for we must meet the bills, II not in
the bread, II must be in bonds and
true of every deal the govcrnmen;
makes. With this idea in mind we
VIII examine the forces behind the bill
that Is reported as passing the House.
/ read l.: a trade .Surnal that tho bill
as passed by the House authorizes the
President 10 use all the present
as shali DO necessary TO purchase the
wheat at the fixed price and dispose
OF nix IT, at me market price"
the clause is the dangerous par, of this
legislation. 1t is dangerous because of
me source from which 1t has been
on the New York and Chicago Ex-
change and Board OF Trade have been
discussing what they describe as "A wise
and workable plan for handling the
wheat crop. etc" These arc the same
people who had tho bill prepared for
It's ISSUE OF bonds, 10 appraise the
wheat and settle UP with The farmer
and resume Il normal condition at once
fatlins IN such bold scheme. the same
persons have never ceased their e.
FORTS to bring the Same effect on the
market through more innocent look
ms process. but the same thing in the
ultimate result.
Authorizing the President to sell on
the market by law Is the very thing
taeso bear gamblers have worked and
;sch,cmcd FOR these past weeks OF this
est lobbyists that can be employed
these agencies have enlisted the sym
pathy OF many perfectly honest, unsus-
pccilnS people. and along with these
nave hdd. no doubt. the help OF a good :
~ numbcbr OF shrcwd politicians and
inc help OF organized labor, and the
20 Srasp Personal benefit Tegar I'd .oss
OF ultimate results. No doubt IL IL
could be exposed, We would have I,
beautiful propaganda Uncovered chat
has friends IN Europe ~ we'll as in the
Cuitcd States.
make tho statement without fear OF
United states does not stand TO loss
on what or this wheat we consume II
"c buy the wheat and cat Ii. We arc
cNactiE rs well off as IL VIC should ia-
financial loss. In fact, We will be be, :
i'T OF Than TO accept any other method
OF disposal, since every oTcadcater viii
nave paid his small part OF the bill
ana redeemed his part of the contract.
rms Is Just fair and riSh, business.
since every man, woman and child IN
this nation Is tho government and
therefore. the contracting parties. A.
a nation. We VIII bc better OF To have
the, contract liguidatcd as 1t was made
and no tax or bond for ii, TO hurt our
national credit.
" Is a rank injustice TO the farmer
10 pass ms on as Il is reported. since
II plainly implies that tho pconlc are
ncinE taxed or bonds arc being sold
Ter the direct purpose OF making do
nat'on 10 IL. farmers or America.
II ~ an outrage against tho farm
crs. II. >auc5 II places these pcoplo in
tho position OF Il gang OF hold-ups
robbinE tho nuLlic. | want TO say ~
the people as plainly as possible that
the consumers Of this country arc
donating nothing in this deal. You
certain others that tho law OF supply
and demand be restored You force,
that when this pricc-iiNInE act waa In
tho making that organized labor, poll-
ticians ana Socialists were demanding
that the law OF supply and demand
be brushed aside. You forget That
YOU fixed the price, not on tho author
i'y Of the farmer. but on tho say so
OF the hosts that work the revolving
chair and play the part Of Solomon s
lilies.
You forget that you set the price 81
bushcl below tho market and about
So a hushcl below what the farmer