The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-12-08
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II EarlyCl
THE FIGHT

Sioux City Journal - Secretary of
Agriculture Wallace extends the time
for the farmers ultimate recovery
from depression, saying it will require
five years for them to be fully restored
in an economic sense. That Is 9. long
time and the farmers will compare 1t
with the speed that attended the reduc-
ton in the prices of their products.
Within a few months prices of farm
products were sent tumbling to the
lowest level attained by any market
commodities since the 1890 peak.
Other articles of commerce. it has
been observed, have been reduced
gradually, with some consideration
shown TO producers who were unable
to cut of all at once the increased
operating expense that resulted from
imitation. The unfairness OF the stu
alton is thoroughly understood. Il
stands as a reproach 20 the American
systems OF marketing and also is a
direct challenge 90 the American sense
CT fair play.
At no time in history has the farmer
suffered such a depression. It struck
ham suddenly. almost without warn
fng. and he found himself helpless in
n situation created by influences he
newer had controlled bur Of which
he ought 10 be the master. Nonpro-
nnrsErs of farm products welded the
Ftrunsast hur1tul influence TO reduce
prines Il WAS q care Of somebody else
adirtaring 10 the farmer what he should
b4 paid fur ms yrodnct, a thing never
attempted IN the case Of manufac-
tuners. vino wpr3d consider il aadacious
'und insf2ent The manufacturer, know.
i1r better than anyone else what il
costs To Jrodnse his goods. sets the
price. The onsr thing that exerts
upon him az controlling influence
whatever liz existing competition; he
must pf,sr has goods ar figures that
compare farorabIT with his rivals or
iris sales decline. The farmer should
oncupg the same position. He knows
what his investment Is. >the value Of
fis property. the cost Of operation
and the expense OF production. None
hut the farmer should decide the
foundation price ct which his prod
pcts should be sold. After that, If
SPECTATORS remaining within the law.
create fluctuations up and down from
the foundation price, the farmer IS
neither responsible nor injured.
Mr.. Wallace hits the middleman,
declaring for his elimination where
necessary IL his services have no eco
nomic value" In that Is the keynote
OF the farmers distress. Upon it he
will have to base his own rescue from
a condition that might be made worse
with outside influences permitted to
continue control Of agricultural in
terests and situations. Such elimina-
ton the farmers of the country are
beginning to recognize as imperative.
The cooperative methods of market
ing, already tried out with success
in some lines. present the strongest
hope for a sound solution of the prob
lem. Manifestly, II the farmers unite
for the protection of their own inter
ests they can control their bust
ness affairs and shape them in a way
that will provide guarantees. BY no
means should the American farmer be
At the mercy OF any predatory inter.
est. He ought to be the captain of his
own soul and at ell time have pos
pegsfon Of his own pocketbook.