The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-06-19
FARMERS STRIKE I
AGAINST SELLING
COMES TOCLOSE
Hope of s1.50 Per BusheI
For Wheat Goes
Glimmering.
LOOK FOR NEW ERA
Agriculturists, Bankers, and 4.
Merchants Believe Harvest =
Will Bring Better Times.
ny ROBERT J. BENDER.

SALIVA. Kan. June Is-Ths
farmers strike against sale Of their
products is at an end. There will be
little holding out for higher prices
in this country when the big wheat
harvest is in. The hope Of $50 or
81 or even higher market prices for
wheat has vanished. And this hone
which was responsible for some
100000 bushels of last years
wheat crop still being in the bins
on March ] this year. has been fol-
lowed by a realization that the new
crop must be sold Immediately in
order TO get more money in circula-
ton and improve conditions gener-
ally. Farmers who refused TO sell
their wheat a year ago for so be-
cause they were holding out for s.
are now reproaching themselves
for hanging on.
Look for Better Tfnes-
And with the decision TO end IN.
selling strike. farmers as well as
bankers, merchants and others in
this great wheat belt, believe that
harvest time will mark the begin
ming of better times. Nevertheless
the farmers are more or less res
tive. They feel that they were
called upon TO bear the brunt Of
liquidation first. and as they visual
ize the national situation. they feel
that no class has been made 70 suf-
fer as they have. Today their chief
complaint is lack Of credit facilities.
In the last two days have talked
with farmers in four great wheat
raising counties of this section.
With all il was much the same story.
They declined TO sell their last
years crop because they expected
better prices and then with thou
sands Of bushels in the bins they
found their credit facilities cut OF.
This disappointment resulting from
declining prices. coupled with in
ability TO get the credit desired has
brought about a strong feeling OF
antsgonism among farmers against
banks. They read bank statements,
showing large profits for these in
stitutions, and their anger is in
creased
Perhaps a little incident which
has just occurred out here might
illustrate this feeling. The news
was sent out from Kansas City the
other day that the Federal Reserve
Bank was about to build fine new
building. The item added that the
huge bronze doors OF the building
would cost $4,000.
Credit Issue Main Factor.
In the farm sections the small
newspapers snstched this item UP
Immediately for editorial attacks to
the effect that while farmers struC-
gled vainly for credit from city
banks, those banks were installing
S25,0oo brass doors.
The credit issue is the biggest
thing to the farmer in this country
and yet he has planted more
wheat than he did a year ago, is
living as well as he ever did. and
except for the money he has tied up
in his unsold crops, would be able
to meet his notes at the banks as
usual.
The situation has not vet reacted
against the Administration. There Is
q very marked tendency in these
parts to give President Harding a
chance to get under way. There is
more and more talk, now. OF course,
that the time is about here for
some concrete results.
The farmers don't expect much
out of the emergency tariI meas
ure. 1t is criticized both for its
commissions as well as its omis-
sions. Secretary J. II. Mercer. OF the
Kansas Livestock Association, al
ready has sent out requests to all
members to write their representa-
tives in Congress to see that items
omitted in the emergency bill are
included in the general tariff law.
The restiveness OF the farmers
generally is not directed at any one
thing other than credit. There is no
doubling their attitude toward the
banks, however, and this has de-
veIoped to the point where one
hears more and more talk among
them of concerted political action.
They don't know exactly what
they want. They do know they are
not satisfied with what they are
getting. A strong political leader
who could establish the confidence
of the farmer could raise more than
a ripple just now on the surface OF
American politics. They are in the
attitude Of awaiting such a leader
ship. Not that a Socialistic move
ment is developing in the sgricul-
tural industry, but dissatisfaction is
increasingly evident