Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-06-11
Editors Letter Box

nal:
The presiden, Of the American
woolen Company gives Is reason
for their abnormal proit Of over Is
eco eco during the past year. that II
was largely made from advance in
price Of materials on haad and on
goods purchased in anticipation of a
rise in value.
The Government regulations as sp-
piled 70 small dealers were that they
should charge profits on the first cost
Of the goods only. no matter how much
might have been the advance or
whether the goods could be replaced
at the price sold for; prohr of I'VE
70 ten per cen, was called sufnciert.
more than that was prohteering. while
the big corporations were showing
profits of IS. so, fe0 per ceat and over
These same corporations are manu-
featuring TO the limit OF their ca
pacity in order to get the benefit of
the excessive high prices which the
consumer will pay and TO DO this they
have advanced wages so much that
they are calling away from the food
production the necessary help to grow
our crops.
High wages and the shorter hours
Of labor have called away from the
farms all who could arrange TO DO so
and the movement 10 the cities is not
yet waning; the farmers who are still
on the farms are not generally plant
ing more than they Will require for
their own consumption.
AS Mr.. TTitchell has said. the men
remaining on the farms average close
to 10 years and they cannot. il they
would. plant and care for the crops
necessary TO supply the city; they are
sowing grain as requiring little labor
or outside help.
Perhaps the remedy for present con-
ditions will be that prices Of food will
advance to such point that the peo-
pie cannot AFFORD 70 buy manufactured
articles at the prices now prevailing
that the call for machinery and tools
will lessen because there IS 10 longer
Of getting enough 10 eat will induce
the people to DO without autos ana
Injuries for a short time. and thus
even up conditions.
II is sure that something must be
done 20 make farming more attractive
and profitable and to bring back the
help to the farm.
II IS not only question OF high
prices for food-and high prices for
the things We must have TO sustain
life must continue for some tinle-bu,
1t is a question Of an adequate supply
At any price.
To make farming more popular and
to start the tide back to the land is
for the interest OF the whole country
and every effort mus, be made to show
the advantages of country life
TIE people are Influenced TO a great
extent by the big city dailies and
often writers through ignorance Of
conditions of farm life and needs,
make statements which are biased.
The country round about and trihu-
taEy 20 city is really a part of that
city and entitled TO an equal share in
ali benefits and 10 be included when
deciding the nee1s OF the inhabitants
and not TO be used as a source Of sup
ply merely. without regard for their
welfare.
There has been TOO much OF theory
by people VINO are ignorant OF the
subject, as instance the proposal of
some chamber OF commerce that the
people should pass their vacations in
working for the farmer
Farmers would De rather skeptical
Of the advisaeility Of planting more
acres with the prospect of vacation la
Dor TO help care for them and also Of
the moral uplift Of such help: a help
for the whole country in the Ma
tons food supply would be for the
city man TO spend his vacation al
home caring for mis- own small truck
patch. when he can do SO: certainly he
would receive as much rest from his
vacation taken in that way as ne
would If he worked for the farmer and
tried TO DO a farmers worA'
The city has advantages in the way
Of schools with higher Alaried teach
ers. better medical service and larger
social life and entertainment. bu.
these do not Offset the more healthfuI
country life, the feeling of freedom
and independence of others. the pride
in owning and beautifying ones home
until it is almost part of oneself.
these things are vaIued~ in content
ment with the life We live end a salts
faction in pleasant surroundings and
IN viewing the beauties which nature
shows US each day
The city and its ADVANTAGES and
wants has been well advertised there
has been a continual publicity cam
paign IN its favor whenever in any
way wants have confiicted- with the
country. until now there is q disnosi-
ton to claim that the majority of
population in the New England cities.
has right to control and - pass laws
and regulations which will iniure the
rural communities.
The Governor Of New York has We
toed the repeal of the daylight saving
OIL as repealed by the legislature, on
the ground that the majority in the
cities wanted it. while he sai id that the
opposition to the measure was based
On what might be termed business
conditions among the farmers.
Is it right that a majority living
income section of the country sho,ad
pass a law which will injure another
section without being any matsrta,
beneht TO themselves.
Yet the cities boast Of their power