Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1922-03-18
THIS FARMER LOSES
MONEY SELLING HAY
BY THE CARLOAD
Commission Man, Freight and
Taxes Eat Up More Than
Fifty Per Cent of the
Price Obtained in the
Kansas City Market.

Senator Arthur Capper, chosen as
the leader of the Farm Bloc to sue
ceed Senator William S. Kenyon of
Iowa, who resigned from the Senate
to accept appointment on the Fed
eral bench, promises to put even
more pep into the bloc. by bringing
sharply to public attention concrete
cases showing the exploitation of
farmers and the necessity for nom
partisan support for agriculture.
Almost before he has settled him
self for action the Senator point,
out the case OF farmer named
kantz who sent carload OF alfalfa
hay to Kansas City. Mo-. for sale.
Quoting from the report of the COM
mission merchant these facts come
to light:
The hay sold for $l96.2O. War
tax, freight. plucking, watching and
commission footed up to 1899.
The balance left for Kantz was
1861. or SO a ton. the exact price
ii cost the farmer to bale the hay.
The hauling cost the farmer $3.50
ton. The cost Of cutting, stacking
and irrigating the crop also had to
be paid. The farmer did all the
work. When he got down to fig
ures, not counting his own time or
the value OF his land kantz found
he had sold 2l.SOO pounds Of hay
in the Kansas City markets through
the regular channels and had lost
$3.50 ton in the transaction.
The railroad made money hauling
the hay. the commission man made
money handling the hay, an army OF
small employees made money in
connection with the transaction, the
government made money taxing the
transaction. and the man who did
all the work lost $3.50 a ton.
Other startling facts are fast be-
ing absorbed by the public. For in-
stance. a cowhide sells for about 3
cents a pound. After it has passed
through the business machinery of
the packers It is found that the
shoemaker pays 81 a pound whole
sale for the leather. BY the time
the farmer needs a pair Of shoes he
learns that his income from an en-
tire cowhide does not come any
where near being enough to pay for
them.
Concrete facts or this kind are
winning = stronger support for the
farm bloc.
THE Agricultural bloc is non
partisan. says Senator william J.
Harris. of Georgia. 1T has In view
as Its purposes only those things In
legislation which are for the best
interests of the whole country. III
has been mainly concerned In legis-
lation to help agricultural condi-
tionx, and where successful IL has
helped all lines OF industry. The
farmers and livestock growers of
this country do not hoard their
earnings. but their success meal Ms
prosperity for all lines Of business.
ITO show that the so-called bloc
In non-partisan II l.. only necessary
to cite the legislation which has
been passed during the present con-
gre~s. with the main support Of the
Democrats and the few Republi-
cans who wanted 70 help In the agri-
cultural troubles. Two important
bills which have become laws we're
the Norris agricultural credit relief
bill aud the Kenyon-Kendrick meat
packer legislation. II the Demo.
Gratis had cared for party advantages
rather than the welfare OF the coun-
try those two measures would not
have passed. The Republican sd.
ministrstion will go before the
country on those two measures ~
the greatest thing In \ constructive
way during their time.
1T has been truly said that the
farm bloc has created u great deal
of interest and much animoxity
mainly because II works In the open.
Other biocs which have been sue
cessfui and notorious. wanted any
thing but light on their acts and
purposes.
THE safety OF the Republic IL not
threatened by the agricultural nioc.
despite the propaganda inspired by
those interests who fear their hold
will be irss~ncd through the acitvi.
ties Of those senators who think
that the welfare Of the country
means somsthing to the masses Of
the people,"
I'd Reynolds. . trApper Of Cres-
tone. captured . lion last Sunday
messuring feet and II inches
from Sip 70 tip. One Of the llos'0