Evening journal., 1921-12-06

a. lew Wttho dbOf hd9 biDNh Nh
couragingly less and new assur-
ances and renewed confidence will
attend the Congressional declara-
tion that American industry win
be held secure.
Much has been said about the
protective policy for ourselves,
making il impossible for our
debtors to discharge their obliga-
tiOns to U.S. This is a contention
not now pressing for decision. II
we must choose between people I'M
idleness pressing for the payment
OF Indebtedness or a people resum-
ing the normal ways Of employ
ment and carrying the credit, let
us choose the latter. Sometimes
we appraise largest the human i'll
most vivid in our minds. We
have been giving and are giving
now our influence and appeals 10
minimize the likelihood Of the
war and throw of the crushing
burdens of armament. 1t is all
very earnest with a national soul
impelling. But a people unem-
ployed, and gaunt with hunger, |
face a situation quite as disheart-
enlng as war and our greater OBJ
legation today is to do the gov
crnments part toward resuming /
productivity and promoting for
tunate and remunerative employ |
mcnt
Something more than tariff pro-
lection is required by American
agriculture. To the farmer has |
come the earlier and the heavier |
burdens Of readiustment. There |
Is actual depression in our agri- |
cultural industry while agricul- |
tural prosperity is absolutely es-
sential to the general prosperity of
the country
Congress has sought very earn
esuy to provide relief. 1t has
promptly given such temporary
relief as has been possible but
the call is insistent for the perma-
nent solution. 1t is inevitable that
large crops lower the prices and
short crops advance them. No
legislation can cure that funda-
mental law. But there must be
some economic solution for the
excessive variation in returns for
agricultural production.
II is shocking to be told and TO
have the statement strongly sup
ported that 1000. 900 bales of
cotton, raised on American plan
tations In a given year will ac-
tually be worth more to the pro-
ducers than 100000 bales would
have been. Equally shocking is
the statement that 700. 600. 900
bushels OF wheat. raised by Ameri-
can farmers. would bring them
more money than a billion bushels.
Yet those are not exaggerated
statements. In world where
there are tens of millions who need
food and clothing which they can
not get such a condition is sure
TO indict the social system which
makes II possible. In the main
the remedy lies in distribution and
marketing. Every proper en-
couragement should be given to
the cooperative marketing pro-
gram.
These have proven very helpful
TO tho cooperating communities
In Europe. In Russia the CO.
operative community has been rec
ognized bulwark Of law and order
and saved individualism from en-
guifment IN social paralysis. Ulti-
mately these will be accredited
with the salvation OF the Russian
state. There IS the appeal for this
experiment. Why not try it? No
one challenges the rights OF the
farmer to a large share OF the con-
sumers' pay for his product. no
one disputes that we cannot live
without the farmer. tie Is justified
in rebelling against the transpor-
tatlon cost. Given a fair return FOR
his labor he will have less occa-
sion TO appeal for financial aid
and given assurance that his labors
shall not be given in vain we as
sure all the people OF produc-
tion sufnciont to meet our national
requirement and guard agalns
disaster.
The base OF the pyramid OF civ.
ilization which rests upon the sol
is shrinking through the drift OF
population from farm 20 city. Fol
a generation we have been ex
pressing more or less concern abou
this tendency Economists havl
warned and statesmen have de
plored. We thought for a time tha
modern conveniences and the NOR,
intimate contact would halt tn
movement but Il has gone steadil,
on. Perhaps only grim necessit,
will correct it. but we ought {,
fnd a less drastic remedy.
The existing scheme Of adjust
ing freight rates has been favor
ing the basing points until indus
. tries are attracted TO some cen
ters and repealed from others.
A great volume OF uneconomi
and wasteful transportation ha
attended and the cost Increase
accordingly. The grain milln
and meat packing industry affori
ample illustration and the attend
ing concentration is readily ap
parent The menaces in concen
tration are not limited to the re
tarding influences on agricultur,
Manifestly the conditions an
1 terms OF railway transportatio
ouhHt nvt pt llclAultitu 10 lncfeah
this undesirable tendency. w
have n just pride in our greu
cities but we shall find a create
- pride in the nation which has
larger distribution OF its popula
ton into the country where CON
e. paratively self sufficient smalis
b communities may blend agrlcu
tural and manufacturing interest
= into harmonious heipfulness an
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