The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-03-24

above the pre-war normal.
"In other words, while the farme
is selling the things he produces a
prices no higher, and for great sur
plus crops, lower than the pre-wal
normal, he must buy practically
everything he needs at prices from
so to $50 per cent above the pre-
war normal. The severe agriculture
depression is inevitable as long as
such a conditions exists, and this de
preston will certainly be communi-
Gated to industry and business gener-
ally.
at is a situation which should chal-
lenge the very best thought of the en-
tire Nation. If it continues, the
trouble will be communicated to
everyone. We are brothers one of
another. Anything which hurts the
farmer will very soon be communi-
Gated to all of our citizens. The far
mers represent probably 35 to 40
per cent of the population. Anything
which seriously affects their buying
power will bring trouble to the peo-
pie who make or deal in the things
the farmer buys.
sit is a terrible Indictment of our
modern civilization when this great
country is in the period of what al
most might be called economic chaos
because of Il great surplus food
supply, while across the seas in both
directions almost half the world is
suffering from want of food. IF vi
statesmen had given more thought to
getting the world back on a sound
economic basis and, perhaps, had
spent less time on idealistic schemes
and theories, they would have ren
dered a greater contribution to the
peace and orderliness and happiness;
of the people of the earth.
Must Find Outlet for Surplus
"Now, as to this present situation,
the duty of the Department of
Agriculture is evident. We should
do everything possible to find an out
let for this great surplus of food. Wei
should search for ways to produce
more cheaply. Our scientific men
should try to find new uses for our
crops. We should help de-
more efficient marketing sys-
ems, Strengthening curves and low
the grades between the produc-
II and the consumer. 1t is a time for
every man who can help to take hold.
IS in the days when we dragged our
ire engines by hand to the scene of
he fire and every good citizen rushed
ut and took hold of the long rope
nd did his bit, so we must do now.
VERY good citizen, no matter in
THAT business he may be engaged,
hould do what he can to help the Ii
armers through this period of de-
,ression, not for the sake of help
ny the farmer alone, but for the
axe of helping himself.
1--WE can not hope to reach normal
onditions until we arrive on a price
vel which will be fair to all our
eopTe and all products. Farm pro- i
ucts must oHu up in price and t
Their products come down until the $
ormaT relation between them has {
cen restored. This talk of bring t
10 prices, whether farm prices or l
prices, back to the pre-war nor
laT is morally wrong and econom-
ally impossible. We incurred a
national debt on the inflated
If we could force all prices
ack to pre-war normal-which we
IN mott would be equivalent to
rst about doubling that debt. We
IN pay off our debts much easier if
e maintain a price level more near
the level at which the debts were
Leurred. Of course, the excessively
DlfCcS WlhIh plCfdilCo duiii6I1
le war can not continue, but if we
louId try to bring about a level, say
} per cent above the pre-war nor
al, everybody would be better off.
eve will get through this period
he Nation is not going bankrupt.
he farmers are not going bankrupt
are they going to lie down on
Ieir job. Gradually farm prices Wit
!, brought into fair relation with
her prices and we will go ahead hdt-
ng on all cylinders. But there is
thing in the long rua-a
ore important phase of our agri-
lltural problem which we have been
DIV in considering. Let me sketch
the development Of our agri-
llture.
Farmers Often Produce at Loss
''The farmers of the United States
the past 70 years have, on the
,erage, produced and sold grains