The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-12-08

to be encouraged. I believe Congress
ought we'll to consider the desirability
OF the only promising alternative,
namely, provision authorizing pro-
claimed American valuation, under pre-
scrlbed conditions, on any given list
OF articles imported.
In this proposed flexibility, author
izing increases to meet conditions so
likely to change, there should also be
provision for decreases. A rate may
/ be just today and entirely out Of pro-
portion six months from today.
If our tariffs are to be made equit-
able and not necessarily burden our
imports and hinder our trade abroad,
frequent adjustment will be necessary
for years to come. Knowing the i'm
possibility of modification by act of
Congress for any one or a score of
lines without involving a long array of
schedules l think we shall go long
ways towards sterilization, if there
Is recognition of the tariff commits
slon's fitness to recommend urgent
changes by proclamation
L am sure about public opinion fav-
oring the early determination of our
tariff policy. There have been mea-
surable signs of a business revival
from the deep slump which all the
world has been experiencing. Our un-
employment which gave US deep con-
Germ only a few weeks ago has grown
l,encouragingly less, and new assur-
ances and renewed confidence will at
tend the Congressional declaration that
American industry will be held secure.
Attitude Toward Our Debtors.
Much has been said about the pro-
tective policy for ourselves making
1t impossible for our debtors to dis
charge their obligation to US. It is
contention not now pressing for deci-
SION Ii we must choose between
people in idleness pressing for the
payment of Indebtedness, or a people
resumlng the normal ways of employ
ment and carrying the credit, let US
choose the latter. Sometimes, we ap-
praise largest the human i'll most WV
Id IN our minds. We have been Civ
Ing and are giving now of our influence
and appeals to minimize the likelihood
OF war and throw off the crushing bur-
dens Of armament. It is all very earn
est with national soul impelling But
a people unemployed and hungry, face
a situation quite as disheartening as
war and our greater obligation today
is to do the governments part towards
resuming productivity and promoting
fortunate and remunerative employ
ment.
Something more than tariff protec-
ton is required by American agricuI-
ture. To the farm has come the earl
Ter and the heavier burdens of read
Justment. There is actual depression
IN our agricultural industry while
! agricultural prosperity is absolutely
essential to the general prosperity of
the ecountry.
Congress has sought very earnestly
to provide relief. 1t has promptly
shown such Temporarily relief as been
possible but the call is insistent for
the permanent solution. It is newt
able that large crops, lower the prices
and short crops advance them. No
legislation can cure that fundamental
law. But there must be some economic
solution for the excessive variation in
return for agricultural production.
Would Protect Farmers.
1t is rather shocking to be told and
to have the statement strongly sun
ported that nine million bales of cot
ton raised on American plantation in
a given year actually will be worth
more to the producers than $4,000 900
bales would have been. Equally shock
ing IS the statement that 100000 900
bushel Of wheat raised by American
farmers would bring them more money
than billion bushel. Yet these are
not exaggerated statements. In a world
where there are tens of millions who
need food and clothing which they
cannot get, such a condition is sure
to indict the social system which max
es it possible.
In the main, the remedy lies in dis
tribution and marketing. Every prop
er encouragement should be given to
the cooperative marketing programs.
These have proven very helpful to the
cooperating communities in Europe.
In Russia the cooperative communi-
ties have become recognized bulwark
of law and order and saved individual
ism from engulfment in social paralys-
is. Ultimately they will be accredited
with the salvation of the Russian
state.
Favor Cooperative Markets.
There is the appeal for this expert
ment. Why not try it? No one chal-
lenges the right of the farmer to a
larger share of the consumers pay for
his product, no one can dispute that
we cannot live without the farmer.
He is justified in rebelling against the
transportation cost. Given fair re-
turn for his labor he will have less
occasion to appeal for financial aid;
and given assurance that his labors
shall not be in vain we reassure all
the people of a production sufficient
to meet our national requirement and
guard against disaster.
The base of the pyramid of civil
cation which rests upon the soil is
shrinking through the drift of popula-
ton from farm to city. For a genera
ton we have been expressing more or
less concern about this tendency. Econ
omists have warned and statesmen have
deplored. We thought for time that
modern conveniences and the more in
innate contact would halt the move
ment but it has gone steadily on. Per-