The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1920-10-01

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE)
through to a successful finish. The
story Of what they did, written by
some one who understands It, will
furnish one Of the most glorious chap
tiers in American history. One thing
may say--ln every American con-
fiIet, from the revolution for Independ-
once to the world war for maintained
rights, the farmer has been 100 per
cent American and ready for every
sacrifice"
He then pointed out some of the I'M
fortunate results In agriculture, grow
Ing out of war conditions, especially
the premium put on grain growing at
the expense of livestock production.
He referred to the heavy losses suffer
ed by many livestock producers and
feeders, and pointed out the urgent
need of restoring the balance between
livestock and grain production as
quickly az possible. On this subject
he said:
For two outstanding reasons the
maintenance of normal balance be-
tween livestock and grain production
Is matter OF national concern. One
Is that we are a meat-eating people,
and should have fairly uniform sup
ply at a reasonable price. Conditions
which either greatly stimulate or
greatly discourage livestock produc-
ton result In prices altogether too high
Tor the average consuming public or
altogether too low for the producer.
The other Is that the over-stimulation
of grain production depletes the fer
tility Of our land, which Is our great
est national asset, and results In a
greater supply than can be consumed
at price profitable to the producer,
and finally to widespread agricultural
distress from which all of our people
suffer-"
Speaking Of the trend of prices of
farm products during the next two or
three years, he said that no one could
forecast them with any accuracy. That
as q nation we are undergoing the
same experience that the individual
undergoes when recovering from a
long and dangerous illness. And then
be made this significant statement:
1T must be evident, however, to any
one who has given the matter even
superficial consideration, that we have
now come to the end Of the long period
of agricultural exploitation In the
United States. No longer are there
great and easy and awaiting areas of
fertile land awaiting the land hungry.
We have now under the pillow prac.
tcally all of our easily-tillable land,
though idle areas await reclamation
and development by that genius and
determination which ever have made
nature respond to human needs. Adj
ditions OF consequence, which we may
make to our farming area, from this
time on, must come by putting water
on the dry lands of the arid and semi.
arid country, or by taking water Off of
the swamp lands, Of which we have
large areas In some sections, or by dig.
ging the stumps out Of the cut-over
timber lands of the north and south.
Other Alternative an Unhappy One.
III we should unhappily choose the
course Of industrial and commercial
promotion at the expense of agricul-
sure. cities win continue to grow at the
expense Of the rural community, az.
r'culture will inevitably break down
and finally destroy the finest rura
civilization. with the greatest possibili
ties the world has ever seen. Decreased
farm production will make dear food
ana we shall be obliged to send our
ships to far-away nations in search of
cheap foodstuffs, the importation OF
which Is sure to intensity agricultural
encouragement and distress at home.
III. on the other hand, we shall de-
termine to build up here a self-sus.
taining nation-and what lover of his
country can make different choIceY
then we must at once set about the
Of system Of agriculture
winch VIII enable Us to feed our peo
pie aDundantly, with some spare for
export In years Of plenty, and at prices
which Will insure to the farmer and
bis family both financial rewards and
educational. social and religious uv.
Ing conditions fairly comnerahIa -
these offered by the cities A sorn6
system Of agriculture can NOT he main.
'Siheo on any other basis. Anything
suo.. OF talr return upon invested |
capital, and a fair wage for tho lehor
mnicn goes INTO the crops, and enough |
In addition to enable the farmar 70
maintain the fertility of his soil. and |
insure against natural hazards will |
arivs large numbers Of farmers to the
cities" :" ''1e
senator Harding made It perfectly
clear that this Is a problem in which
lily people have just as much interest
IS the farmer That unless we can
work out a rational and fair agricul.
ural policy. the drift to the CITY will
and our trouble will grow
constantly worse. |