Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-09-05

VIM. X. Lyon, Author Of
Christophe rson Stabil-
ization Bill, Speaks
I Here.
TELLS II OF HIS PLAN !. 4. J
Government Would fix Min,
inlum Price and buy
Surplus.

VIM. H. Lyon, of Sioux Falls, s. D.,
author Of the Christopherson bill which
seeks to stabilize the price of farm
products, now pending in the house
of representatives, spoke in this city
Saturday afternoon at the court room
to members of the Farmers League
and others. Rube McFerren presided.
The purpose Of this bill is to sta
billie the price of farm products
through plan Of the government to
guarantee prices.
The plan outlined by Mr.. Lyon con;
templates the maintenance Of ware
houses over the country. A COM
mittce composed Of the secretaries of
labor, agriculture and commerce would
fix prices each year just before plant
ing time. The prices thus fixed would
be the prices at which the government
would buy up all surplus farm crops
on hand the following year just before
planting time. Mr.. Lyons contention
Is that the price fixed for the surplus
crops would fix the price for the whole
crop. The price to be fixed would be
a minimum price.
He holds that there is something
radically wrong with the industrial
system of the country and that the low
prices now paid for farm produce will
bring the prices of all other things
down to a level with farm prices. He
also argues that fair price for farm
produce would result in the prices of
other things finding a level with farm
prices because farm produce is the
basis of all prices. He holds that labor
and the manufacturing industries are
protected by the tariff and that the
farmer is entitled to the protection
afforded by a sterilization of prices.
Detailed Plan.
Mr.. Lyon explains his plan as fol-
lows:
'"rhe sterilization plan which was
unanimously. adopted by the South
Dakota house Of representatives and
also approved by Sioux Falls Clear.
ing House and Chamber of Commerce,
the executive committee Of the South
Dakota Bankers association and other
organizations, would have the national
government guarantee to our farmers
the average cost Of producing staple,
non-perishable, crops, plus reason
able profit, by agreeing to purchase
whatever surplus remains on hand at
the end Of the crop year, delivered at
certain central terminals and at a slip
ulatel minimum price. This surplus
In every staple crop, except wheat AMI
cotton, is SO small that the amount Of
money required would be insignificant
in comparison with the value Of the
entire crop The best authorities agree
that We have already exported SO
much wheat that were it not for IN
adam importations, we would not mvr
enough left for our own requirements
and a safe carry over for the following
year. Our average annual net exports
Of corn and oats do not exceed 90 and
125 millions bushels respectively. IL
the surplus of any crop should prove
excessive, the stabilizing commission,
fairly representing both producers and
consumers, appointed by the president.
would probably reduce the price for
the following year and increase the
price of other products in which a
shortage might exist and thereby in
duce our farmers to increase prOduc
tion Of flax, wool, and sugar which we
now so largely import, at cost of
several hundred million dollars n year
Would it not he far better to do this
and export less Of the fertility Of our
soil In the form Of wheat, oats, cotton
and tobacco!
Stop Speculation.
'"The government, of course, must
necessarily control the imports of such
products and through the stabilizing
commission would purchase abroad. Mt
the world price level. any deficit re-
quired and sell to our manufacturers
Mt not less than the guaranteed price
Except that intended for expOrt)
thereby making a profit of the differ
encc between the cost and selling price,
Speculation in food products SO alb
horrent to the general public would.
Of course. be automatically elimina"d !
below the guaranteed price. Now.
when the farmer succeeds in producing
o crop he does not know whether to
sell for fear the price will go down. or
hold for better market Knowing in
advance the guaranteed minimum
price of the various products. the far
mer can use his land and ability to
the hest possible advantage and the
rental and salable valne Of land will
he largely stabilized. The guaranteed