The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-07-25
SHOULDGET MARKET
PRICE FOR WHEAT
Milling Combine and Big Employ
ers Would Force Return to
Minimum.
WHAT is BARNES PLAN?
World Shortage Promises More Than
1926 Unless Government Grain Cor.
poration Serves the Interests
Rather Than the Producers.

CHICAGO. = Everyone practically
expects wheat to 60 beyond the mini
mum price guaranteed during the mex
year if the government doesn't inter
fere. Those on the inside expect the
government tc interfere, however, not
that there is any just reason for de
priving the farmer alone of his legiti
mate market price but because yer,
powerful interests desire it.
The machinery for turning the trick
against hundreds of thousands ,oi
wheat raisers is at hand-the govern
ment grain corporation. The powers
granted this corporation are such that
by using its purchasing and regulating
power it can set the price of wheat
Congress gave these powers with the
apparent purpose at least of fulfilling
Its guarantee of minimum. 1t now
appears that they will be used to
keep wheat down artificiaIIy and con-
trary to all our traditions of what is
fair and just In business.
Repetition of 1918.
In 1918 the grain corporation did
the same thing. A minimum was set
to protect the producers of wheat
against great loss and to encourage
them to plant. The grain corpora
ton, however, held wheat down to
this minimum until the farmers had
disposed of their stocks and then al.
lowed it to go as high as $2s5.
During that year wheap naturally
would have gone soon to between SO
and $3.50 bushel and this price would
have given most farmers a little over
cost Of production. AS it was, the
grain corporation continued the ruin.
GUS price set in September, 1917.
which at the time it was set was be-
low cost of production for over half
the wheat raisers.
Much secrecy is being maintained
In regard to the plans of the grain
corporation. The strategy is evident
ly to hold back any positive state
ment until the time for action is at
hand to avoid criticism which cannot
be answered. When a beginning has
been made toward paying the farm
ers the unfair minimum price, the cor
porat1on will have a reason for con-
tinuing it. In the meantime the coun-
try is being bombarded with stories
OF our great wheat crop, of world sur
plus, of regulations to hold down mil
iers and spectators, all designed to
throw dust in the farmers eyes.
A Surprising Question.
The nearest Julius Barnes, head of
the corporation and millionaire grain
Spectator of Duluth, has come to
showing his hand, was his reply to a
letter from the National Grange. in
which he asked: What interest have
the producers of wheat in my work
since they will get the S2.26 price
them by law" Farmers
who know of it have not yet recovered
rom their surprise that supposedly
intelligent man could ask such a cues
ion.,
The factors pushing Barnes into
holding wheat to the minimum are
easily distinguished. The milling
combine has pushed flour and mill |
up beyond the level warrant.
I'd by the 1895 wheat this spring.
They feel sure that if wheat is kept
o 1925 they can hold on to this high |
evel for their products and SO reap
enormous profits. Grain spectators |
Who would like shifting wheat prices
re not kicking much because their
BUSINESS has become adjusted to
pecuiation in other grains.
Wage camoufIage.
The other factor has come out in
ecent steel price hearings. The bic
Employers wish to meet the workers
emands for higher wages to overtake
ne cost of living with the argument
hat the wheat price has not changed
is to be merely stage argument,
Dr. Hour will soar under the stimulus
[ the profiteering craze Again, if
heat were to go to SO a bushel and
he mixers were held down to the war
the increase would make
difference of only $35 year to the
verage workman's family. To keep
neat low, therefore, at the expense
the farmers would in no way solve
he workers cost of living problem.
In the near future we shall know
neither another INDUSTRIOUS piece of
justice is to be inflicted on our long
lffering farmers It would look now