The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-04-20

charge, but the farmer is bound by
the old iron clad rule that he must
accept the price for his products fix
ed and Offered by the big trusts,
| which are controlling the commerce
of the country. In the present crisis
in which general collapse o civil
ization is feared agriculture is help
iessly defenseless without a cooper
alive system or a dependable policy.
All other industries and business en-.
terprises are developing policies by
which to protect themselves against
unforeseen changes effecting their
welfare. Even farm laborers are
more alert and active in taking care
OF their interest than their employ
ers. Farm hands are forming strong
unions and developing system Of CO.
operation. and it is reported that dur
ing the last few months twenty-five
thousand have joined these unions
and are demanding wages that the
price of farm products does not JUS
tify. All this has tendency to de.
Grease production of the supplies
which alone can sustain our national
life. 1t is conceded that on the sur
face agriculture seems to be in flour
ishing condition, but the develop
ments in other lines are having a de-
pressing effect on the farming indus
try, and unless action is taken to es-
tablish more economical Producing
and marketing policy. the result will
be a great decrease Of agricultural
production. which would be very dis
astrious in the face OF hungry
world The Roman Empire rose to
a high state OF civilization and a world
ruling power, but at the time OF her
greatest prosperity all other lines OF
commerce and industry was studious-
ly systematiscd. except agriculture
The only foundation on which to
build great common wealth was not
duly developed, which Resulted in the
down fall Of the most gigantic world
powe rim history Our own great
nation. whic his calculated to uphold
the civilization and prosperity of the
world is in danger of making the same
mistake and failure. II we would de-
velope a greater Americanism and a
world benefactor, we must establish
and maintain a more satisfactory and
dependable agricultural policy Our
most sincere and ablest statesmen
are aware Of this fact. and many Of
the mare giving their best thought and
effort, looking to the solution of this
momentous problem. The Republi-
can national committee is developing
measures to place agriculture on
solid foundation in this country and
make it part of the national plat
form. Senator Capper, of Kansas,
one of the strongest men in the SEN
ate, and a long standing friend of the
farmers, has been appointed by Mr..
Hayes, chairman fthe Republican
national committee as head of sub
committee of eighteen to draft plans
for an agricultural plank in the ma.
tional platform. Many of our nation
al leaders are sincere friends to the
farmers and their interests. Others
realize that an untrampled and flour
ishing agricultural industry is indis-
pensable for high civilization and
gerater Americanism. Now as we
have previously advised it is impos-
sible for state and national officials
to work out the farmers problems eff
fectively and satisfactorily without the
cooperation Of the farmers, who are
in touch with practical farm life. 1t
requires no argument to convince the
farmers that we are in need of or
ganization and cooperation and that
II we do not take immediate action
to safe puard our interests. We will
soon be crowded out of the economi-
cal and commercial world. And il
we leave the farms, those who take
our places will be in the same fix and
there will be no one to feed us. All
feel the pressing need of a practical
farmers organization of the farmers,
by the farmers, and for the farmers.
but if we go into politics as class
political party, we will be no longer
farmer organization. but another pol
itical machine And if it meets with
success, il will not be in control of the
farmers, but agriculture properly or,
ganized and in friendly cooperation
among themselves and with other
classes will be great factor in quiet
ing the economical strife and unrest
throughout the United States and the
world.-W. w. BATES, Wilder.