South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-11-16

Marked variance exists between
the farmers and the factory work
ers OF the city. rooted IN their d.
Verse points Of view
The farmer is a capitalist, land
owner. and employer. as well as
manual labOrer. he is conservative
by nature and tradition, instead of
radical. Furthermore, he resents the
campaign against recent prices OF
farm products and the workers
move for shorter hours and higher
pay. The latter raise the cost OF ar
ticles he buys. while the former de-
prives him OF the wherewithal 10
buy at all.
What They Have I'm Common.
But the farmer and city laborer
have this In common: both are in
terested in the erection OF machin-
cry for the cooperative distribution
OF farm products TO reduce the mid
dleman's toll. The meeting of union
leaders at Washington Dec. IS. il is
reported. will consider cooperative
means OF distribution The idea Of
cooperative marketing is gaining
favor both among farmers and wage
earners. In years TO come, while not
eliminating the present system. it
will gain and hold q leading place
by virtue OF supplanting unneces-
sary middlemen and effecting long
awaited economies in distribution.
The Partisan league is active
I'm the northwest, after its last re-
verse in the alleged failure Of the
American bank of
Fargo, later declared solvent by
three out OF four judges on the SUI
preme bench of North Dakota. 1t IS
preparing 20 invade South Dakota
and participate in politics there as a
separate party. The league has
brought itself within the party or
ganiZation under the Richards state
primary law By fling minutes OF a
league meeting held at Mitchell.
sept. IS.
A Unique Responsibility.
Upon the farmer rests a unique
and hitherto little recognized re-
sponsibility in present industrial un-
rest. 10 has two aspects: The one TO
preserve the peace and avert dis
ruption, with its disastrous conse-
t,uences. by combating radicalism,
and the other to assist in mediation
between capital and labor, when
the opportunity offers. and to parti-
cipate I'm forming. and to confirm,
the great silent decisions Of public
opinion which direct the nations
progress and by which all classes
-.
the most powerful disinterested
body concerned in industrial dis
putes. They are capable of dealing
justice because they have both
kpoints of view. The average farmer
Aas worked for wages and yet is a
property owner and executive.
In this connection IL is interesting
10 note that farmers of New York
state. as represented by the state
federation Of farm bureaus, oppose
any affiliatiOn with organized labor.
as also any attempt 10 regulate food
prices by artificial means. The fed
Grafton seems TO favor a farmers
party. opposes a conference of cap
ital and labor where the agricUltur-
al class is not well represented, and
asserts the right of collective bar
gaining and selling.
IAquidate Old Debts.
NOw is the time TO liquidate old
debts and 10 build up savings. re-
mind the financiers and bankers.
Shrewd farmers everywhere are do
nag this in full recognition that the
dollar will never be so cheap again
during their lives. Old debts can be
paid with dollars that cost not more
than half the time and effort that
was required 20 earn the borrowed
money. The loan several years ago
bought twice the volume of com
modities now required 20 repay IT,.
True. the lender suffers. but the
debtor gains. and of the two the
lender is usually I'm a better posi-
ZION to lose.
similarly bank savings viii prove
verita BILE gold mine, equivalent to
successful purchases on the stock
exchange without the risk. Their
purchasing power. and therefore
their value, will surely appreciate
so or 80 percent, and probably
more.