The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-11-10
PRICE FIXING BY
FARMERS, THREAT
OF GRANGE HEAD
Predicts "Nation-Wide Selling
Organizations" Unless the
Y Growers Get "Same Pay
for Same Hours of Work"

BOSTON, Nov. 1O.-The establish
ment of "nation-w wide selling organi-
cations, which. shalt fix the price of
farm products" If the farmer does
not receive the same pay for the
same hours Of work that others re-
eeive, was predicted today by Sher-
man J. Lowell, of Fredonia, N, Y.
master of the National Grange of
the Patrons of Husbandry. in open
ing the annual convention of the
grange. ..st
we are willing TO have a fair
understanding of values. the farm
ers receiving the same pay for the
same hours work that others re-
ceive. no more. no less. but we feel
that this is the last call" he said.
IF no attention is paid to this now
by bankers, manufacturers, rail-
roads and labor organizations. and
If the government continues to use
its great power to import raw ma
terial free OF duty TO reduce costs,
then the grange will be the first to
help organize nation wide selling
organizations, which shall fix the
price of farm products.
There is no threat in this. We
will have been driven to it in self
defense to preserve our agriculture.
This condition is repungnant to
us all. We desire no class regula-
tions or class divisions; we desire TO
labor for humanity and to he able TO
keep the earth fertile, always bring -
ing forth its harvest sufficient 20
feed the increasing millions Of our
people. 1t is no small task how
ever, and it can only be safely done
by proper appreciation of this task
by our urban population"
MIR. Lowell rejoiced that labor has
been able TO get much higher rate
of wage, but added,
I'VE lNtle expected that they
would turn and demand cheaper
food from US without first ascer-
tanning the cost of production. and
thereby proving whether or not we
were taking too large Il margin of
profit"
The national master declared the
great changes that have taken place
| since the beginning of the war have
been TO the disadvantage of agriCul-
| ture and many laws and rulings Of
our national government have prov
en- OF injury to the farmers"
We have searched faithfully &c
! find one law or ruling to our ad
| vantage and failed to find it, We
| have urged for, fair show. but all
| our Efforts have met with like ate. "
Mr.. Lowell said the recent census
showed a net decrease Of 100000
| farms in seven states--New York
| Pennsylvania. Ohio, Illinois, Indiana
| Michigan and West Nirginia--and he
| charged that the attitude of the men
| IN legislative halls and departments
| of government was responsible 10 a
large degree for this condition.
80 long az we remain passive this
! state Of affairs will continue hc
declared.
Concerning taxation, he said:
There is but ono equitable form
Of taxation and that Is when every
! form OF wealth pays it's just proper
ton Of taxes. There is no tax more
| lust than an income tax, for II Is
never charge against any one whu
! has not the means to pay
! lie spoke against the single taS
| and the idea OF placing a government
| land tax OF one per cent on the land
| nff place Of taxing large incomes
Both would be disastrous to agricul.
| iure, he said.
| Another equally erroneous Idea,
! he continued, "is tho one of 4 heavy
! tax on all irnimproved land holdings
| for II this was done and they were
forced on the market by reason ot
such n tax. (which is the intent
IL would cause the depreciation oi
farm lands 80 por cent from tho fac
that there is more improved land
than men to work u --U."