The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-08-07

", will be helpful, rather than harm
full to the general interest. Besides,
there is no ethical objection that can
be raised to it. We should not, by law,
abridge mans right either to labor
or to quit his employment. However,
neither labor nor capital should at
any time or in any circumstances,
take action that would put in jeop-
ardy the public welfare.
We need a definite and precise
statement of policy as to what bust
ness man and workingman may do
and may not do by way of combina-
ton and collective action. The law is
now so nebulous that it almost turns
upon the economic predictions of
the Judge or jury. This does not make
for confidence in the courts nor re-
spect for the laws, nor for healthy
activity in production and distribu-
ton. There surely will be found ways
by which cooperation may be encour-
aged, without the destruction of en-
terprise. The rules of business should
be made more certain so that on
stable basis, men may move with con-
fidence.
Government, however. should pro-
vide the means in the treatment of its
employees, to keep in touch with con-
ditions and to rectify wrong. 1t Is
needless to say that in order to be
consistent, facts should at all times
justify the pre-supposition that the
government employees are properly
compensated.
The child life of the nation should
be conserved; if labor in immature
years is permitted by one generation,
it is practicing unfairness to the next.
Agriculture is but another form of
industry. In fact, it is the basis of IN
dustry because upon it depends the
food supply. The drift from country
side into the city, carries disquieting
portents If our growth in manufac-
turing in the next few years holds its
present momentum, it will be neees-
sary for America to import food
stuffs. 1t therefore devolves upon gov
eminent, through intensive scientific
cooperation to help in maintaining
as nearly as possible the existing
balance between food production and
consumption. Farming will not inspire
individual effort unless profits, all
things considered, are equal to those
! in other activities. An additional
check to depleted ranks in the fields
would be the establishment of modern
state rural school codes. The federal
government should maintain active
sponsorship of this. Rural parents
would be lacking in the element which
makes civilization enduring if they
| did not desire for their children edu-
cational opportunities comparable to
those in the cities. The price the
consumer pays for foodstuffs is no
| indication of what the producer re-
ceives. There are too many turn
overs between the two. Society and
government, particularly local and
state, have been remiss in not mod
ernizing local marketing facilities.
Municipalities much in large measure
/ interest themselves in, if not directly
control community markets. This IS
a matter of such Importance that the
federal government can proftably ex-
| pend money and effort in helping to
evolve methods and to show their vir-
tues. The farmer raises mis- crop and
the price which he receives is deter
mined by supply and demand His pro-
ducts in beef and pork and produce,
pass into cold storage and ordinarily
when they reach the consumer the