The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-11-27
farmer MUST JOIN
ORGANIZATIONS OR
Be LEFT BEHIND
BY WILLIAM r. eANeoaN.

NV A0AO ACI AA0 O0OHA AHA tAKC AuAI~
light more of late than in ali his
previous history, With the tremend-
Gus demand for food to feed the world
came the marshailing OF farm forces
under government inspiration and at
least the partial control OF the prices
Of farm products. The minimum price
for wheat and hogs, with the conse-
Quent natural enhancement OF the
value of corn, oats and other cereals,
had a tremendous effect upon produc-
ton and farm incomes.
It had also a vastly stimulating ef-
feet upon the cost Of our daily bread,
With the advance in hogs, cattle and
sheep begnn to climb In price; poultry
became unduiy important and expen-
sive and eggs attained undreamed of
prices, compared with normal" But
ter was not to be left behind In the
race for altitude, so butter fat became
gold in solution. The farmer provides
the prime essentials of life and with
these all soaring everything edibls
took wings and mounted skyward. And
because butteFfat was high, and con-
densed milk in worldwide demand. 1t
presently cost twice as much to fill
the babies milk bottles, and cheese,
once considered a food. is now but a
luxury to be enjoyed only in modera-
ton by the wellto-do,
Regardless Of the fact that almost
every handler of food took heavy and
often conscienceless toll In profits, we
have all lived. Hoover did a master
full work In the interest Of the whole
people and but for his efforts, food
prices would have scared to still great
er heights. The whole world knows
Hoover. especially the starving peoples
Of Europe, who should be ever grateful
to him, and to the American Red
Cross. for whom he SO largely worked
and planned to supply. where creates,
need implored.
Have Not Profteered.
Many have largely attributed the
high cost of food essentials to the
farmer, and some have called him II
profiteer. not knowing or not being
able to comprehend all the facts, 1t Il
true that the farmers have made
money but not in the percentages
that most people infer. The farmer
has been both the beneficiary and the
Victim of circumstance. He has 1t Is
true, found a ready wholesale marke,
for his products, at the other fellows
price. He has also been compelled tC
buy at retail at the other mans
HSuY0S. everything no usoS Has III
vanced. everything he has fed has
doubled or even tripled in cost. He
stands with the rest Of us as buyer
and pays the price. AS a seller, the
farmer always has had one advantage
over the merchant and manufacturer
he always has a market, But that
market Ia controlled by the buyer
The farmer rarely makes the price
and only too often - compelled to take
= loss. I'm mercantile lines the mer
chant must perforce advertise and
find buyer. and Is often compelled tc
mako serious sacrifice IN order t.
clear his shelves or floors. This has
not been a condition since 1915, In any
part Of the world, and since that date
merchants ard manufacturers have
made thousands where the most pros
porous farmers have made but hun
dreds, II mounting prices and ever in
creasing sales are good evidence. MOI
must we forget that that farmer has
also had his labor troubles and adde|
costs for reduced hours. And NOR"
than this; he has not only been com
handed to work harder and to pro
duce more abundantly but also t.
give his sons to his country an,
thousands OF his cauekters to WORK
OF charity and mercy. beyond tbs
seas.
Farmers Have an Inning.
II the American farmer has had -
inning, 1t has been coming to him. II