Pueblo chieftain., 1921-02-21
MUST ARRANGE
FOR EARNINGS
PRETTY SOON
Plain Statement as to Details
of Beet Farming in Two
4. Seasons

Tho past years. experiences in beet,
and the necessity for practical ar
ranEements for this season are set
forth in Fort Collins Express:
a report has been sent out by the
Department of Agriculture to the eff
feet that the farmers received S24,-
100000 moro for their sugar beet crop
for 1920 than for the year 1921. 1t is
said that the sugar beet crop is the
only one on which tho farmer re-
ceived more money than he received
in 1919.
The inference is expressed that tho
beet farmer made loads OF money on
his bects. That he "waxcd rich while
other farmers grew poor on account
of the high contract price for bccis
which was out of all proportion to the
selling price of sugar at harvest
time"
Such a report sent out by the De-
partment of Agriculture is misleading.
While every one appreciates the value
of iho beet crop as one of our prin-
in many instances, in fact in most
cases the farmers lost money last
year on their beet crop.
Those who get IA yield of fifteen tons
or better to the acre probably madn
money while those getting less than
fifteen lost The fact that the aver
age yield was below thirteen tons in
dicates that the great majority OF
farmers got less than fifteen tons.
The expense of raising bcets last
year was so much higher than ever
before that IL more than ovcrcamc tho
increase in price over former years.
The price for this year has not yet
been announced. 1t is getting time
that the question was settled, and
while 1t is expected that the cost of
raising the crop will be less than last
year yet there is not much assurance
that 1t will be sufficiently less to justi-
fy reduction in the contract price
for bects.
Tho sugar beet crop. being ono of
our principal crops, must be con-
tnued. Yet 1t should ba continued at
n mutual profit for tho beet grower
and tho sugar manufacturer. No in
justice should be dealt to either
party. Tho beet growers ask for an
equal division of tho money derived
from tho salc OF sugar. In other
farms against the company's invest
mcnt In factories They put their
labor and expense OF growing beets
against tho company's labor and ex-
pense In manufacturing the sugar.
This plan insures to each party an
or the crop. Tho farmer claims no
has not In the past received an equal
share of the profits derived from tho
industry. Tho manufacturers appar-
ent reluctance In accepting the grow
ers proposition lends color to tho
claims o. the farmer. The policy OF
tho manufacturer should not be to
grab all the profits of the business
This would be short sighted policy
which would in time cripple tho in
dustry. foster independent companies
and drive tho farmer to raise other
crops or establish cooperative fac
tories.
In tho controversy the grower and
the manufacturer arc not the only
parties concerned Modern evolution
Is coming to recognize the rights of u
third party-thc public. u party un-
dreamed of a few years ago. This
third party insists on "A mutually fair
settlement OF industrial controversies
aud is assuming tho right 20 enforce
ITS decree.
The controversy between the beet
grower and the manufacturer must
be settled fairly and promptly.