The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1922-01-20
from page 129

sorld was u"ihe. efi.
.sriruIturai group is almost as
At a disadvantage in dealing with
y" economic groups as the jay farm
- the funny pages in the hands of
.oE urban confidence men. who sell
acreage In Central Park or the
r..ro city hall. The leaders of the
mers thoroughly understand this,
4 tber are in;elligently striving to
.arrate their industry so that it will
'n an equal footing with other bust
psses.
a. an example of migration, take
" ,teel Industry, in which the model
.hs United States Steel Corporation,
~ ne iron mines. its coal mines, its
= and rail transportation, its ocean
.sseIs its by-product coke ovens, its
:, furnaces. its open hearth and
,sompr furnaces. its rolling mills, its
40 mills and ether manufacturing
.ossps that are carried to the high
doprpe of finished production com
,ho with the large trade 1t has
I'm nm All this is generally conced-
"a be TO the advantage of the con-
msr Nor does the steel corporation
y CONSIDERABLY dump its products on
Ia market On the contrary, 1t so
rts that it is frequently a stabi!izing
Banepce. as is often the case with 9TH
large organizations. 1t is master OF
distribution as well as OF its pro-
notion II prices are not satisfactory
- nroducts are held back or prOduc-
an ts reduced or suspended. 1t Is not
Omnplled TO send a years work to the
lortet at one time and take whatever
4 can get under such circumstances.
Il has one selling policy and its own
,rnor department. Neither are the
srades and qualities of steel determin-
n at the caprice of the buyer, nor does
IN latter hold the scales. In this sin
H. Iptpgration Of the steel corporation
4 renrpsented about 40 per cent of The
.tpp nrnduction Of America. The rest
4 NASTY in the hands of few large
somnanipS. In ordinary times the
4 eoj corporation. by example. stahilizes
In steel prices. If this is permissible
tit IL even desirable, because stable
Ind fair prices are essential to solid
Ind continued prosperity why would
IA no wrong FOR the farmers to utilize
central agencies that would have SINH
ar effects on agricultural products?
Something like that is what they are
Inning at.
Some farmers favored by regional
epmparinesS and cOntiguity, such as tile
of California. al
ready have found way legally to
merge and sell their products inte-
|rrsllr and in accordance with seasonal
Ind local demand, thus improving
their position and rendering the con
sumpr reliable service of ensured
|gualty certain supply, and reasonable
and relatively steady prices. They
have not found it necessary to resort
sfo any special privilege, or to claim
|any exemption under the antitrust
legislation Of the state or nation. With
but removing local control, they have
built up a very efficient marketing
agency. The grain, cotton, and TO-
baccO farmers, and the producers OF
hides and wool, because Of their num-
sbers and the vastneSss Of their regions,
and for other reasons, have found
integration more difficult task;
Though there are now some thousands
Of farmers cooperative elevators,
warehouses, creameries, and other en-
terprses Of one sort and another, with
"a turnover OF billion dollers a year.
IThey are giving the farmers business
experience and training, and, so far
as they 90, they meet the need of
honest weighing and fair grading; but
they do not meet the requirements of
nationally adjusted marketing in any
large and fundamental way.
The next step, which will be a pat
tern for other groups, is now being
prepared by the grain-raisers through
The establishment of sales media which
shall handle grain separately or col
lectively, as the individual farmer may
elect 1t is this step-the plan Of the
Committee Of Seventeen-which has
created so much opposition and Is
thought by some to be in conflict with
the antitrust laws. Though there is
now before congress a measure de-
signed to clear up doubt on this point.
the graln-producers are not relying on
any immunity from antitrust legiSla-
lion, They desire. and they are en-
Titled, to coordinate their efforts just
as effectively as the large business in
tereStS Of the country have done. In
connection with the selling organiza-
lions the United States Grain Growers
Incorporated Is drafting a scheme of
financing inStrumentalities and auxili-
AIRY agencies which are indispensable
l" me successful utilization of modern
business methods.
II IS essential that the farmers
SHOULD proceed gradually with these
plans. and aim to avoid the error Of
S'fapPins the existing marketing ma
c'iIher!, which has been so laboriouSly
:, "u''' UP by long experience. before
'ntS nave tried and proved subSti-
,me or supplementary mechanism.
"ey must be careful not to become
'hi'e>lled In their own reforms and
">t lhe perspective Of their place in
ne national system. They must guard
'Saih>t fanaticaI devotion to new doe
r.hT>. and should seek articulation
WIN Inc general economic system
'aihpr Than r.. r,.t-I 1a...., -