The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-01-06
MESSAGE
TO LEGISLATURE
Outlines Marketing Plans and Urges
Changes, and Demands
Economy

Pierre, Jan. An his first message
upon taking office as the chief execu-
tive. Governor w. H.. McMasters dis
cussed the vital isses confronting the
state and emphasized the need of fear
lessly uniting to form honest policies
in the interest of all parties and all
classes.
He called attention to grave finan-
cial situation in the history of the
state and after congratulating the re-
firing governor upon his achievements
ne Immediately launched into the sub
ject of the marketing problems,
which will undoubtedly be the great
issue of his first session of the legis-
lature. Upon this he outlined his
ideas as follows:
The Marketing Problem
The one material interest i'm South
Dakota that overshadows and trans
cends in magnitude and Importance
all other material interests is agricul-
ture. Outside of our mining interests.
confined to a relatively small area, the
ebb and flow of the tide of agricultur-
al prosperity is instantly felt through
out the state. The barometer of every
profession of every kind of business
and ofevery industrial activity, fore
tells fair skies or dull times. strictly
according to the rise or fall of the
fortunes of the farmers. Our agricul-
tural prosperity is the very breath and
life Of our commercial activity. Con-
s%equently all classes in the state heart
lily concur in any plan for the better.
ment of our agricultural interests that
is safe and sound, and which Ices not
jeopardize the best interests of the
| state.
The one great problem of the agri-
cultural interests, not only of South
Dakota but of America. is the market
ing problem. This problem is of gil
gantic proportions and its full solu-s
ton involves many complex and per-
picking questions and a coordination
of the activities of innumerable NUTS
composed of millions of farmers,
while its monetary phase involves, an
nually billions of dollars.
No single business i'm America is
comparable to 1t in magnitude or i'm
portance. To discuss this question in
ali OF It's intricate and complex phases
or to set forth in q comprehensive way
all of the proposed solutions, emanat-
ing from many sources, time will not
permit.
What Is Needed
Thenconsenses of opinion is that the
following constitute the essential fac
tors OF the problem.
First, opening Of foreign markets
for II surplus products.
Second. transportation.
Third, cost of production.
Fourth, storage facilities.
Fifth, credits.
The leading representatives of the
agricultural interests in one state ma,
have very definite and pronounced
views in regard to the way and
means to be employed in the solution
of this problem, but until the various
ideas have beer thoroughly coordina,-
ed and a comprehensive plan agreed
upon a complete solution of the pro-
blem cannot be attained.
Is a Business Problem
Out of this nationwide agitation
and discussion there is slowly crystal
LIKING the central idea that the prob
lem is a business problem; that its
solution must rest upon sound bust
ness principles; that while the federal
government and state governments
may pass legislation of a helpful ma
ture, yet the problem must be solved
through a nationwide cooperation Of
the farmers.
The fundamental thought in the ul-
innate solution of this problem is the
control OF the flow of grain to the
market to meet actual market require
ments and the power of control should
be vested in the producers, 1t rests
now with the market manipulators
and spectators, who make use of sud-
den market fluctuations to repell or
attract grain shipments. Regulation
of the flow of grain to markets, is a
powerful factor in price regulation.
Two instrumentalities are necessary
to effect this regulation: Credit and
terminal facilities for handling grain,
with the right, in addition of having
full memberships on the grain ex-
changes of the country.
The governor of Minnesota is recon
mending to the legislature that a law
be passed granting farmers compan-
les the right to acquire memberships
on the grain exchanges OF Minnesota,
winch lnmeuldtely WOulu ieHu eHCOuf-
agement to the organization of farm
ers' cooperative terminal elevators.
If the law passes in Minnesota 1t is
not unlikely that the farmers of South
Dakota will wish to avail themselves
OF the opportunity of cooperating with
the farmers of Minnesota and other
states, or may wish to conduct and
Operate, by themselves, a cooperative
elevator at some terminal point.
Through a system of comparatively
owned elevators throughout the nation
there would be given to the farmer a
powerful leverage in determininA
what the price of his product hould
|, be.
Comparatively owned elevators in
! addition to being effective instruments
} in price regulation. would confer 9TH
or advantages that are very apparent.
It would give the farmer the oppor-
tunity OF cleaning, drying and re-mix-
ing his grain at cost. II would give
: him the further opportunity Ut selling