New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-09
Text of Senator Hardngs Speech the Minnesota State

an aggressive and intelligent leader.
ship. and with way Of raising what
ever funds they may find necessary to
promote the interests Of their mem
bers. The leaders of these organiza-
tions are learning rapidly how to
adapt to their work the methods which
business men and working men have
found successful in furthering their
own interests.
"The fruit growers Of the western
coast have become so strong that they
are now able not only to do away with
many of the expenses heretofore paid
to others, but also to influence the
price of their products.
1.-THE grain growers of the West and
Northwest have become strong enough
to bring about many changes they de-
sired in the marketing Of their crops.
The farmers of the corn belt states are
rapidly perfecting the most powerful
In this country. All Of these are nat
ural developments in the evolving
change of relationship and the modern
complexities of productivity and ex-
change.
1T is more than conceivable, it is ap-
parent, that we are able to deal more
wisely and more justly with our agri-
culture than We have in the past. Un-
less we do deal more fairly there may
come conflict between the organized
farmers in the surplus-producing
states and those who insist on buying
their crops below production costs. We
have witnessed the restricted produc-
ton. of manufactures and labor, but
we have not yet experienced the in
tentionally restricted production of
foodstuffs. Let US hope we never may,
IT Is our business to produce and cor
serve, not to deny, deprive or destroy.
Farmer Needs Fair Chance
Il have no thought of suggesting
that the government should work out
an elaborate system of agriculture and
then try to impose it on the farmers of
the country. That would be utterly
repugnant to American ideals. Govern
ment paternalism, whether applied to
agriculture or to any other Of our great
natlona! industries, would stife am
oltlon, impair efficiency, lessen produc-
ZION and make US nation of depend
ent incompetents. The farmer REQUIRES
no special favors at the hands of the
government. All he needs is fair
chance and such just consideration for
agriculture as we ought to give to a
basic industry and ever seek to pro-
mote for our common good
Some of the things which ought to
be done, If we are to put our agricul-
ture on sound foundation, nave been
mentioned in the national platform of
the party to whose pledges l am COM
mitted"
First, the need of farm representa-
ton IN large governmental affairs is
recognized. During the last seven
years the right of agriculture to a
voice in government administration has
been practically ignored, and, at times,
the farmer has suffered grieyously as
result. The farmer has vital interest
in our trade relations with other coun-
tries, in the administration of our
financial policies and in many of the
larger activities of the government.
His interests must be safeguarded by
men who understand his needs; he
must be actually and practically repre-
scented.
Expense Must Be Cut
Second, the right of farmers 70
form cooperative associations for the
marketing Of their products must be
granted. The concert of agriculture is
as essential to farms as a similar con-
cert of action is to factories. A pros
porous agriculture demands not only
efficiency in production but efficiency
IN marketing. Through cooperative
associations the route between the
producer and the consumer can
ana must . be avoided Unnec-
essary expenses can and must be
eliminated 1t is to the advantage of
all of our people that every possible
of getting the products of our farms
into the hands of the people who con-
sumo them. The legitimate functions
OF the middleman may continue to be
performed, by private enterprise, un-
der conditions where the middleman is
necessary and gives his skill to our
joint welfare. The parasite in distri-
button who preys on both producer and
consumer must no longer sap the vi
tally of this fundamental life.
Third, the Republican party pledges
itself to scientific study Of agricul-
tural prices and farm production costs,
both at home and abroad, with view
to reducing the frequency of abnormal
lamentations here. Sterilization will
contribute to everybody's confidence.
Farmers have complained bitterly of
the frequent and violent fluctuations
in prices of farm products, and es-
peclally in prices of livestock. They
dc not find fuctuations-such fluctua-
l'NHo III Vic pIOuuCLS OIL OLneF 1nuuS-
tries. In a general way prices of farm
products must go up or down accord
ing to whether there is a plentiful
crop or a short one.
THE farmers raw materials are the
fertility of the soil, the sunshine and
the rain, and the size OF his crops is
measured by the supply of these raw
materials and the skill with which he
makes use of them. He cannot control
his production and adjust it to the de-
mand as can the manufacturers. But he
can see no good reason why the prices
of his products should fluctuate SO VIC
lently from week to week, and some
times from day to day. We must get
better understanding of the factors
which influence agricultural prices,
with view to avoiding these violent
fluctuations, and bring about average
prices, which shall bear a reasonable
relation to the cost of production. We
DO rot offer any quack remedies in this
matter, but we do pledge ourselves to
make thorough study Of the disease,
find out what causes it, and then apply
the remedy which promises cure.
"Fourth-We promise to put an end
to unnecessary price fixing of farm
products and to ill-considered efforts
arbitrarily to reduce farm product
prices. In times of national crisis,
when there is known scarcity of any
necessary product, price control for the
purpose Of making q fair distribution