The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-02-03

thinking. and uniting as never before
to eradicate these inequalities, they
are subjected 70 stern economic lec-
lures, and are met with the accusation
that they are demanding. and are the
recipients Of, special privileges. LEI
us see what privileges The government
has conferred on the farmers Much
has been made OF Section G Of THE
Clayton Antitrust Act, which pnr
ported to permit them TO combine with
Immunity, under certain conditions.
Admitting that, nominally; this ex-
empti0n was In the nature Of special
privilege, though think il was 50 In
appearance rather than ID fact, I've
find that the courts have nnliified il
by judicial Interpretation. Why should
nor the farmers be permitted TO ac-
complish by cooperative methods what
other businesses are already doing by
cooperation In the form of incorpora-
tion? II Il be proper for men to form,
by fusion OF existing corporations Or
otherwise, a corporation that controls
the entire production of commodity,
or q large part Of 1t, why Is it not
proper for a group of farmers to unite
for the marketing of their common
products, either in one or in several
selling agencies? Why should it be
right for hundred thousand corporate
shareholders to direct % or 30 or 40
per cent of an industry, and wrong for
Il hundred thousand cooperative
farmers TO control no larger proper
ton of the wheat crop, or cotton. or
any other product?
The Department of Agriculture is
often spoken Of as a special concession
10 the farmers, but in its commercial
results. It is of as much benefit to the
buyers and consumers OF agricultural
products as TO the producers, or even
more. do not suppose that anyone
opposes the benefits that the farmers
derive from the educational and re
search work of the department, or the
help that it gives them in working out
improved cultural methods and prac-
tees, in developing better yielding va
rieties through breeding and selection
In introducing new varieties from re.
mote narts of the world and adapting
them to our climate and economic con-
dition, and In devising practical meas.
ures for the elimination or control Of
dangerous and destructive animal and
plant diseases, insect pests, and the
like. All these things manifestly tend
TO stimulate and enlarge production
and their general beneficial effects are
obvious.
It is complained that, whereas the
law restricts Federal Reserve banks
TO three months time for commercial
paper. the farmer is allowed si1
months on his notes This is not :
special privilege, but merely such
recognition of business conditions al
makes it possible for country hank.
70 do business with country people
The crop farmer has only one turn
over a year, while the merchant anC
manufacturer have many. Incidental
ly. / note that the Federal Reserve
Board has just authorized the Fed
eral Reserve banks to discount eSpor
naper for A period of six months, 4
conform to the nature Of the busi
ness.
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
70 as an instance of special soverR
ment favor for farmers. Are they no
rather the outcome of Iaudable effort
RI eaualize rural and urban condi
tiaps? And about all the government
aoes there is to help set up an ad
mipistratiye organization and lend
little credit at the start. Eyentuall,
rhe farmers will provide all the CAPT
tai and carry all the liabilities them
salyes 1t is true that Farm Loal
bonds are tax exempt: but SO ar
bonds of municipal light and Traction
n,ants and new housing is TO be ex
emnt from taxation, in New York, 10
ten years.
On the other hand, the farmer read
81 plans for municipal housing pro-
eets that run into the billions, Of hun
dreds of millions annually spent q
tbo merchant marine; he reads tina
tha railways are being favored Wit
increased rates and virtual guarantee
~ earnings by the government, VII
tha result to him of an increased To
- au that he sells and all that h
hnys He hears of many manifest
lions of governmental concern for PA
tieuIar industries and interests. lies
c,,ng the railways from insolvency
nndnnhtedly for the benefit Of IN
country as whole, but what can b
Of more general benefit chan eneoul
agement oe ample production q q
principal necessaries OF life and thei
even fiow from contented producers
satisfied consumers?
while it may be conceded tbs
spectal governmental aid may be ne,
essary in the general interest, we mus
ali agree that 1t is difficult TO see VII
agriculture and the production and di:
tribution of farm products are not a
corded the SAME opportunities that At
provided for other businesses; esp
cIally as the enjoyment by the farms
of such opportunities would appear
be even more contributcry TO the ger