The Devils Lake world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1920-1982, 1920-07-07
ADMINISTRATION FOE OF FARMERS.

That.the Wilson Administration has discouraged agricul-
tural production is the charge made by the Republican Public
ity Association in a statement issued today through it's Presi-
dent, Hon. Jonathan Bourne, Jr, discussing that plank of the
Republican platform which prmoess: 49,
" An end to price fixing and ilLconsidered
efforts arbitrarily to reduce prices of farm products
which invariably result to the disadvantage of both
the producer and consumer
GAS every farmer knows" the statement continues, "prac-
tically every move of the Wilson's Administration during the
war relative to agricultural products and prices tended to lis
courage production. For instance, Congress passed a law guar
anteeing not less than a certain price for wheat. There was a
anteed by the Government to insure the farmer against very
great loss: The Wilson Administration, however, made this
minimum price the maximum price through the licensing sys,
tenn which gave it a practical monopoly Of the marketing Of
grain. The result was that in almost every State there were
farmers who produced and sold grain at less than the cost of
production: Of course, there were many who made money at
the price fixed by the Administration, but the records show
at less than the cost of production.
"The Republican platform is correct in the assertion that
pr1ce fixing and arbitrary reduction of prices of farm products
result to the disadvantage Of both the producer and consumer.
Of one er Geesu paid 1 to sq reap p, 4 fe%p nrod1c eene hit from the hed reduction IN
prices must inevitably result in a dininution of production will
price due to a demand which h can not ndf be Fl filled. Far be aAtseS would ID
it be for the consumer if he paid an excessive price in the begin
ADEQUATE supply and reduce the price through competition
among the producers:
tration pursued a course opposite to that which it followed
IN determining the price Of farm products. In a large proper
ties needed by the Government during the war, from munitions
to cantonments and ships, "a cost-plus plan Of determining the
modities was given absolute assurance that he could sustain
no loss, for in any event the cost of production was guaranteed
TO him and by adding to that a certain per cent Of profit the
Government encouraged him to make his cost of production as
high as practicable. The Administration took over the rail
roads and guaranteed a return on the property; it took over
9 large number Of industrial plants under a similar guaranty.
It raised the wages Of railroad employees and by it's contract
policies virtually raised the wages Of all city employees. AT the
same time that it was doing this, it was restricting the price
that could be obtained by the farmer for his food products and
making. it more. difficult for him to obtain help to plant, cultiv-
ate, and harvest his crops. .@
"'The only instance in which the Administration has BY
it's act aided the farmer in securing an increased price for his
products was in the case Of Louisiana sugar. Even in that in.
stance the ruling aof5 the Department Of Justice was made in
suchL : Wy that = not Ct. only enabled the Louisiana producer e
sugar wherever produced Of q whateyeE cost to exact the same
high price whish thu Department fixed for ne Leuisiana
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