Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-06
Presidents Message
To the 9th Congress

concern a few weeks ago. has grown
encouragingly less and new assur-
ances and renewed confidence Will
attend the congressional declaration
secure.
Much has been SAID about a pro-
tective policy for ourselves. making it
impossible for our debtors to dis
charge their obligations to us. This
Is a contention not now pressing for q
decision.
Something more than tariff protec-
ton is required by American agricul-
ture. to the farm has come the earlier
and the heavier burdens Of readjust-
ment. There is actual depression in
agricultural industry while agricul-
tural prosperity is absolutely essen
tial to the general prosperity OF the
country.
Congress has sought very earnestly
to provide relief. 1t has promptly
given such temporary relief as has
been. possible but the call is insistent
for. the permanent solution. 1t Is in
equitable hat larger crops lower the
prices and short crops advance them.
No legislation can cure that funda-
! mental law. But there must be some
economic solution FOL the excessive
variation in returns fer agricultural
production.
PROCEEDS TO GROWERS
NOT EXAGGERATED
1t is rather shocking to be told and
have the statement strongly support
ed that 100000 bales of cotton.
raised on American plantations In q
given year, actually will be worth
more to the producers than 1900
900 bales would have been. Equally
T. 80 tl, .t,4ar,orf thar tho 7OO {.
600, 900 bushels % wheat raised by
American farmers would bring them
more money thar n billion bushels
), Yet these are not exaggerated state
ments. In a world where there are
tens. of millions OF people who need
food and clothing which they cannot
get, such a condition is sure to indict
the social system which makes 1t pos
sible.
In the main the remedy lies in dis
tribution and marketing Every prop
or encouragement should be given to
hthc cooperative marketing programs
These have prove very helprul tc
the cooperative communities in Eu-
rope.
In Russia, the cooperative com
munity has become q recognized pul-
wark of law and order and saved IN.
dividualism from engulfment in socia
!, pGtl Il oAC. SA~S
accredited with the salvation of Rus
sia- state.
There is an appeal for this expert
ment. Why not try it? No one chal'
lenges the right Of the farmer tt
larger share of the consumers pay
for his product: no one a dispute
that we cannot live without h farm
er. He is justified in rebellion agains
the transportation cost. Given a fail
return for his labor, he will have les
occasion to appeal for financial aie
and given assurance that his laboI
shall not be in vain We reassure tn
people Of production sufficient to NEE
our national requirements n guart
against disaster.
The base of the pyramid of civillza
ton. which rests upon he soil, ]
shrinking through the. drift of popu
lation FROM farm to city. For a gen
Grafton We have been expressing NOR
or less concern Of his tendency. Thu
economists have warned and states
men have deplored. We thought 10,
a time that modern conveniences ant
the more intimate contact would hal
the movement but it has gone stead
lily on; perhaps only grim necessit.
will, correct it, but we ought to flint
i less drastic remedy.
The existing scheme Of adjustin;
freight rates has been favoring III
basing points, until industries are at
tracted to some centers n repealed
from others. a great volume of IN
economic and wasteful transportation
has attended and the cost increased
accordingly.
-rr@v,r IT,. r