, 1920-09-30

insur against natural a will
drive large numbers of farmers to the
cities"
Senator Harding made Il perfectly
clear that this is a problem In which
city people have just as much interest
as the farmer. That unless we can
work out a rational and fair agricul-
tural policy. the drift to the city will
continue and our trouble will grow
constantly worse.
Speaking of farm orca nizations, he
said the farm organization Of the pres
ent day Is quite different from the or
ganization of the past; that farmers
have learned sound principles Of or
ganization hat they are adapting to
their work the methods which bust
ness men and working men have found
successful in furthering their own in.
terests. He referred especially to the
successful organizations established by
the fruit growers of the west and by
the grain growers OF the northwest, and
said the farmers of the corn belt
states are also rapidly perfecting the
most powerful organization of farm
ers ever known in the country. He
pointed out very frankly the danger
that would come to the nation II the
problems of the farmer were not
frankly recognized. and If the farmer
was not given absolutely fair treat
ment.
He said we have witnessed restrict
ed production OF manufactures and of
labor, but We have not yet experienced
the Intentionally restricted production
of foodstuffs, and expressed the hope
that we never may have that expert
ence
While frankly recognizing the need
of a national agricultural policy. he
disclaimed any intention OF suggesting
that the government should work out
an elaborate system Of agriculture and
Their try to impose 1t on the farmers
of the country. He denounced such an
effort as utterly repugnant TO Ameri-
can ideals. He said that government
p~aternalism. whether applied to ag-
riculture or to any other of our great
national industries, would stitie ambl-
ton, impair efficiency, lessen produc-
ton and make US a nation OF depend.
ent nc0gipetents. He said the farmer
requires no special favors at the hands
of the government. All he needs Is q
fair chance and such just considera.
tion for agriculture as we ought 10
give to a basic industry, and ever seek
to promote for our common good.
Senator Harding then spoke of the
definite policies to which the Republi-
can party is committed, and which he,
as its candidate. endorses.
Farm Representation.
First-The need Of farm representa-
ton in larger governmental affairs is
recognized. During the past seven
years the right of agriculture to .
voice in governmental administration
has been practically Ignored. and at
times the farmer has suffered griev-
ously as a result. The farmer has a
vital Interest in our trade relations
with other countries, In the admins
tratioD of our financial policies and in
many Of the larger activities Of the
government
Second.-The right OF farmers to
form cooperative associations for the
marketing of their products must be
granted. The parasite in distribution
who preys on both producer and con-
sumner must no longer sap the vitality
Of this fundamental life.
Scientific Study.
Third. - The Republican party
pledges itself to a scientific study Of
agricultural prices and farm produc-
ton costs. both at home and abroad,
With a view to reducing the frequency
Of abnormal fluctuations here. Stabili
Zation will contribute to e~verybody's
confidence. Farmers have complained
bitterly Of the frequent and violent
fluctuations In prices of farm products,
and especially in prices of live stock.
They do not find such fluctuations In
the products of other industries. In a
general way prices OF farm products
u go up or down, according to
whether there Is a plentiful crop or a
short one. The farmers raw materials
are the fertility of the soil, the sun
shine and he rain, and the size of his
crops ts measured by the supply of
these raw materials and the skill with
which he makes use OF them. He can
not control his production and aGicst
IL 10 the demand as can the manufac-
turer. But he can see no good reason
why the prices of his products should
tiuctuate SO violently from week to
week and sometimes from day to day.
To Stop Price Fixing.
Fourth.-We promise to put an end
to unnecessary price fixing Of farm
products and to III considered efforts
arbitrarily to reduce farm product
prices.
Government drives against food
prices such as we have experienced
during the past two years are vain and
useless The ostensible purpose of
such drives is to reduce the price the
consumer pays for food. The actual
result is unjustly to depress for q time
the prices the farmer receives for his
grain and live stock. but with no ap-
preciable reduction In the price the
consumer pays. Such drives simply
give the SPECTATOR and the profteer
additional opportunities to add to
their eXactions.