The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1921-09-02
SERVING The FARMER.

) Aetuated HlOne Dy afaisiptotSstSfti
desire to serve the basic industry OF
the county, The. Herald at. at harvest t!a
time last fall advised most earnestly
that the farmers sell their corn crop
as speedily as they could market II
at the then prevailing quotations
which were around "a barrel 1t as
sumed from reports and investigations
that there was big surplus of corn
in the county that would not be fed
on the farms to cattle and hogs. 1t
looked facts squarely in the face; 1t
had read history to some purpose; IT
knew something of the immutable
laws of supply and demand and OF
those factors that constitute what Is
called economics and 1t felt that as
the sincere friend and we'll wisher or
the famer it should advise an immedl-
ate acceptance of around 81 barrel
. for the corn that they would ultimate
.yifiiarket Id the form Of grain. &
4 Some. few farmers took The Her
, aids advice. Others took much UNI
bragg. and several, came to see the ed
itor ana ask him to desist in this ad-
vice because they declared, that corn
had been produced at cost in excess
OF 81 a barrel and that its sale at that
figure would mean loss. This was
granted, but this paper continued to
, argue that was better to take 81 at
harvest time than to hold the crop
for. many months and take that or
even less, the cost in shrinkage ,insur.
ance, rattage and waste running well
around ten to fifteen cents a bushel.
The Herald could see nothing to indi-
cate any reason why corn should be
higher this summer than it was last
fall when defiation wastonly fairly I'M
der way. But so-called agricultural
experts, farm journals and politicians
who constantly court favor with the
farmers by giving them the advice
they want to hear, urged that corn
and other crops be held for higher
prices advice which, If generally
taken, would have meant much more
serious panic than any this country
has ever known. Much faith was ex-
pressed In emergency tariffs" and
other legislative remedies by these
quack. advisers The Heraldris too Old
fashioned a democrat to believe much
in the efficacy of legislation to cure
economic ills. That it's view is be-
coming more generally accepted is
shown in the resolutions recently
adopted by the farmers of Middle Ten.
nessee in convention who solemnly de-
clared that legislation was powerless
to change economic laws.
This paper sincerely and earnestly
j desires the prosperity"of the farmers
of this county. 1t seeks no special ia
-vors at their hands. No one connect
ed with or interested in The Herald
las any SOII VI pOlltiCdl doPii otioho'
1t would not insult the farmers by at
tempts at flattery, but it does recog-
nize the fact that the well being of
society, the perpetuity of our institu-
tions and the business of our country
rests upon their prosperity. It's adj
vice to them is always disinterested;
when occasion requires it does not
hesitate to tell the unpalatable facts.
Its Adyised the prompt marketing of
II prdtcts last fall because it was con
vinced that any other course would
simply make bad matters worse
J Y Events have thoroughly discredited
y its critics, re.1 ii raaE
3 The Herald will continue to urge
, Mthe farmeps to- depend upon thei: own
efforts, to be frugal, live as far as pos
sible at home, be undeceived by the
demagogues who have an axe to
grind" and apply their savings to the
liquidation Of their debts and not to
oxtravagant and unnecessary purchas-
es. Iii so far as this advice is &C.
copied the farmers of this county win
y prosper ."