The Mena weekly star., 1921-07-28
MANY CAUSES FOR FARM TROUBLES
Polk County Farm Bureau Glasses Lack of Organization as Primary Cause But Finds Four Other
 Reasons.

 ent demoralized condition of the agri- cultural industry according to the findings of the Polk County Farm Bu- reau, which was recently asked to help in the nation wide movement to gather farm facts for congressional inquiry.
 The official report of the local bu- reau is given as follows:
 At the special meeting of the Polk County Farm Bureau held Monday, July Il, at the request of the Ameri- can Farm Bureau Federation, for the purpose of acquiring facts and views from the farmers relating to the causes of the present condition of ag- rieulture, it was the unanimous opin- ion of the farmers assembled that the causes of the present demoralized con dition of the business of farming are due to-:
 l. The unorganized condition of farmers.
 2. The decline in the value of farm products out of all proportion to the decline in the value of industrial com modities.
 3. Exorbitant freight and express rates.
 4. Faulty system of distribution of farm commodities, inviting.
 5. Uncurbed speculation.
 In presenting few local examples at this meeting the farmers found that the freight rate on hogs from Mena, Ark, to Kansas City, distance of 3S0 miles, is 51 F cents per hundred pounds, making the transportation of a minimum car of l7,000 pounds, cost $87.55 While the freight rate on a car of Irish potatoeS. is 571a cents per hundred pounds, making minimum car of 36,000 pounds cost SPOT for the same haul.
 We find that one farmer recently shipped by express 10 crates of eucum- bers to Kansas City. These were sold by commission firm for $1329. The commission was $132 The express on these crates was $8.25, leaving S2.72 to pay the farmer for his ham, per and for the cost of production
 Irish potatoes for which the farmers received $1 per bushcl have been sell ing in nearby Texas towns for S2.40 per bushel.
 Second crop strawberries which have only been netting the growers l5 cents per basket have been costing the consumer 30 cents per basket.
 Numerous other discrepancies could be outlined as these are but typical incidents. But we think these local examples are sufficient to emphasize the true state of affairs.
 In view of all the foregoing facts we recommend that:
 l. Present laws be amended, or such legislation be enacted, as will protect the farmers of the nation in organizing on commodity basis for the purpose of distributing farm com modities and fixing prices of farm commodities the same as in the other industries.
 2. That the United States Depart ment of Agriculture be instructed to devote the major portion of its activi- ties, at the present time, to the organi- cation of the farming interests of the nation on sound and efficient com modity basis for the purposes above outlined.
 5. That immediate steps be taken to readjust transportation rates so that they may no longer prohibit the rapid transit of farm commodities, as IS now the case in many instances.
 4. Such action be taken bv Con- gress as may be deemed necessary to regulate dealers distributing farm commodities and to minimize specula- tion.
 5. The Federal Farm Loan System be extended and more funds be placed at its disposal, and that short term loans at low rates Of interest be granted the farmer for the purpose of crop production.
 Respectfully submitted.
 The Polk County Farm Bureau.
 Peter McWilliam, President.
 Ode McMillan, Secretary.