The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-04-20

damental industry through the high |
cost Of transportation from farm to |
market and through the influx of for |
eign farm products, because we offer, |
essentially unprotected, the best mar |
ket in the world.
1t would be better to err in protect |
ing our basic food industry than para
lyZe our farm activities in the world
struggle for restored exchanges. The
matura revision of our tariff laws
should be based on the policy Of pro-
lection, resisting that selfishness
which turns to greed, but ever con-
cerned with that productivity at home
which is the source of all abiding good
fortune.
To Sell and Buy.
1t is agreed that we cannot sell I'M
less we buy, but ability to sell is based
on home development and the fostering
Of home markets. There is little SEN
timent in the trade of the world. Trade
can and ought to be honorable, but il
knows no sympathy. While the dele
gates of the nations at war were de-
batting peace terms at Paris, and
while we later debated our part in
completing the peace, commercial
agents of other nations were opening
their lines and establishing their out
posts with forward look to the NOR
rows trade. 1t was wholly proper and
has been advantageous to them. Tardy
AS we are, it will be safer to hold our
own markets secure and build thereon
for our trade with the world.
A very important matter is the es-
t,.II is,t,y ,f fI,o ,nnf'
ness on business basis. There was
liberation and the easy going, unsys-
tematic method Of handling our fiscal
affairs when indirect taxation held the
public unmindful of the federal burden.
But there is knowledge of the high
cost Of government today, and the high
| cost of living is inseparably linked
with high cost of government. There
| can he no complete correction of the
high living cost until governments cost
| is notably reduced.
Budget System.
Let me most heartily commend the
enactment of legislation providing for
the national budget system. Congress
has already recorded its belief in the
budget. 1t will be very great salts
| faction to know of its early enactment,
so that it may be employed in estab-
| fishing the economies and business
methods so essential to the minimum
of expenditure.
l have said to the people we meant
to have less of government in business
as well as more business in govern
ment. 1t is we'll to have it understood
that business has a right to pursue its
normal, legitimate and righteous way
unimpeded and it ought have no call to
meet government competition where all
risk is borne by the public treasury.
Reducing Costs.
There is no challenge to honest and
lawful business success. But govern
ment approval of fortunate, untram-
meled business does not mean tolera-
ton of restraint of trade or of main
tanned prices by unnatural methods. 1t
it we'll to have legitimate business I'M
derstand that a just government, mind
full of the interests of all the people
has a right to expect the cooperation
of that legitimate business in stamping
out the practices which add to unrest
and inspire restrictive legislation. AnX
iouS as we are to restore the onward
flow of business, it is. fair to combine
ance.
One condition in the business wOrlt
may well receive your inquiry. Della
ton has been in progress, but has
failed to reach the mark where it cal
be proclaimed to the great mass OF
consumers. Reduced cost of basic pro
duction has been recorded, but hig%
cost of living has not yielded in like
proportion. For example, the prices
on grain and livestock have been de
flated, but the cost of butter and meats
is not actually reflected therein. 1t il
[ TO be expected that nOnperishable sta
pies will be slow in yielding to low
cred prices, but the maintained retail
costs in perishable foods cannot b.
justified.
Cause of Trouble.
. I have asked the federal trade com
mission for a report on its observations
and it attributes in the main the fail
ure to adjust consumers cost to basi'
production costs to the exchange o
information by "Open price aSSOcia
, tions." which operate, evidently within
the law, to the very great advantage
of their members and equal disadvan
tage to the consuming public.
Without the spirit of hostility o
haste in accusation of profiteerins
some suitable inquiry by congress
, might speed the price REIMBURSEMENT t
) normal relationship. with helpfulneS
4 of both producer and consumer. !
! measuring rod of fair prices will salts
l fly the country and give us a bushes
revival to end all depression and I'm
employment
= Rail Problem.
: The great interest of both the pro
: Queer and consumer-indeed all on
industrial and commercial life iron
agriculture to finance-in the problem
of transportation will find its refle,
: in your concern to aid re-eStabliSl
ment, to restore efficiency and brin
E transportation cost into helpful re
: lationship rather than continue it Il
: ii hindrance to resumed activities.
1t is little to be wondered that Ill
= considered LEGISLATION the war Strail