The Tomahawk., 1919-08-07
SHOULD GET MARKET
PRICE FOR WHEAT.
'a.',
Mailing Combine and Big Employ
ers> Would Force Return to
Minimum. = ~.
WHAT IS BARNES PLAN2
world Shortage Promises More Than
$226 Unless Government Grain Cor
poration Serves the Interests
Rather Than the Producers.

Rather Than the Producers.
CHICAGO. - Everyone practically
expects wheat to 90 beyond the mini
s,um price guaranteed during the next
year If the government doesn't inter.
fere. Those on the inside expect the
government to interfere, however, not
that there is any just reason for de.
Striving the farmer alone Of his Ie0iti.
nsate market price but because very
powerful interests desire It.
The machinery for turning the trick
aoainst hundreds Of thousands OF
wheat raisers 10 at hand-the govern
ssent grain corporation. The powers
granted this corporation are such that
by using its purchasing and regulating
power IL can set the price Of wheat.
Cooaress gave these powers with the
apparent purpose at least Of fulfilling
Dts guarantee Of a minimum. It now
appears that they will be used to
keep wheat down artit1cia'Iy and con-
trary to all our traditions Of what Is
fair and just in business.
Repetition OF 1915.
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 $2.95.
During that year wheat naturally
would have gone soon to between So
and $3.50 a bushel and this price would
have given most farmers 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-
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
oes the unfair minimum price, the cor
poration will have 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
lers 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
speculator 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 $2.26 price
guaranteed them by law?" Farmers
who know Of 1t have not yet recovered
from their surprise that a supposedly
intelligent man could ask such ques-
tfon .1< ...-
The factors pushing Barnes into
holding wheat to the minimum are
easily distinguished The milling
combine has pushed -four and mill
products up beyond the level warrant
ID by the $2.95 wheat this spring.
They feel sure that if wheat is kept
% $2.26 they can hold on to this high
lsveT for their products and so reap
saormous profits. Grain spectators
who would like shifting wheat prices
are not kicking much because their
business has become adjusted ito
speculation in other grains.
Wage camoufaee.
The other factor has come out in
eecent, steel price hearings. The big
employers wish to meet the workers
demands for higher wages to overtake
the cost of living with the argument
that the wheat price has not changed
4 is to be merely stage argument
Tor flour will soar under the stimulus
Of the profiteering craze. Again, II
wheat were to 60 to So bushel and
the millers were held down to the wal
regulations, the increase would make
= difference of only $35 a year to the
average workman's family. To keeI
wheat low, therefore, at the expense
q the farmers would in no way solve
nAe workers cost of living problem
In the near future we shall know
vhether another monstrous piece o.
VRiustice is to be inflicted on our lont
sn1|ering farmers. It would look nov
as II the stage was entirely set fol
the steal. 49, .---,
Al its annual convention the Wash
AnRton state federation of labor de
dad to Join with the farmers in in
aopeadent political action. The rail
Uay unions have also decided to job
GAsDe two great forces, making wha
= now known as the triple alliance
Tho alliance aims to prepare to seiz
ayexy ONCE ct the next election.
-. 49, nneaona vim have heen h00A1