New-York tribune., 1921-12-07
Complete Text Of President lans Message Congress

variation in returns for agricultural
production.
1t is rather shocking to be told, and
TO have the statement strongly sup
ported, that 100000 bales Of cotton
raised on American plantations in a
given year will actually be worth more
to the producers than $4,000, 900 bales
would have been. Equally shocking is
the statement that 100000, 900 bushels
OF wheat raised by American farmers
would bring them more money than a
billion bushels. Yet these arc not ex-
aggerated statements. In sorld
where there are tens of millions who
need food and clothing which they
cannot get such a condition ia sure
to indict the social system which
makes it possible.
Favors Encouragement of
Cooperative Marketing
In ihe main the remedy lies in dis
trloution and marketing. Every proper
encouragement should be given to the
cooperative marketing programs. These
nave proven very helpful to the CO.
operating communities in Europe. In
Russia the cooperative community has
become the recognized bulwark Of law
and order and saved indivdualism
from engulfment in social paralysis.
Ultimately they will be accredited with
the salvation of the Russian state.
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 ono can DISPUTE
that wc cannot live without the farmer.
lie is justified in rebelling against the
transportation cost. Given q fair re-
turn for his labor, he will have less
occasion to appeal for financial aid:
and given assurances 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 civiliza-
uon which rests upon the soil is
shrinking through the drift Of popula-
ton from farm to city. For generation
We have been expressing more or less
concern about this tendency. Econo-
mists have warned and statesmen have
deplored. We thought for time that
modern convenicrces and the more in
innate contact would halt the move
ncnt, but it has gone steadily on. Per
haps only grim necessity will correct
remedy.
The existing scheme of adjusting
freight rates has been favoring the
basing points, until industries are at
tracted to some centers and repealed
from others. A great volume Of un-
economic and wasteful transportation
has attended, and the cost increased
accordingly. The grain milling and
meat packing industries afford ample
illustration, and the attending concen-
tratlon is readily apparent. The
menaces in concentration are not
limited TO the retarding influences in
and terms Of railway transportation
ought not to be permitted to increase
this undesirable tendency.
We have Just pride in our great
cities, but we shall find greater pride
tribution OF its population into the
country, where comparatively SELF
sufficient, smaller communities may
blend agricultural and nlanufacturing &
interests in harmonious helpfulness
and enhanced good fortune. Such a
movement contempiztes no destruction
of things wrought, OF investments
made or wealth involved. It only
looks to 8 general policy Of tvanspor-
tation. OF distributed industry and Of
highway construction 20 encourage the
spread OF cur population and restore
she proper balance between city and
country. The problem may we'll have
your earnest attention.
1t has been perhaps the proudest
claim Of our American civilization that
i. dealing with human relationship. it
has constantly moved toward such jus
tice in distributing the product OF hu-
man energy that it has improved con
sinuously the economic status Of the
mass Of the people. Ours has been a
highly productive social organization.
Or the way up from the elemental |
stages o. society We have eliminated
slavery and serfdom. and ara now fax
on the way 10 the elimination OF pow
eytV