Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1922-01-27

paralleled volume and intensity of de
termined, if not angry, protest. and af
ominous swarming of occupational con
ferences, interest groupings, politica
movements and propaganda. Such
turmoil cannot but arrest our atten
ton. Indeed, II demands our careful
study and examination. 1t Is not like
ly that six million aloof and ruggedly
and banded themselves into active
unions, societies, farm bureaus, and SO
forth, for no sufficient cause
Investigation Of the subject conclu,
sively proves that, while there is much
Overstatement Of grievances and mis-
conception Of remedies, the farmers
are right in complaining OF wrongs
long endured, and right in holding that
1t Is feasible to relieve their ills with
benefit to the rest of the community.
This being the case of an industry
that contributes, in the raw material
form alone, about one-third of the ma
tional annual wealth production and
Is the means of livelihood Of about 40
per cent Of the population, it is OBJ
vious that the subject Is one of grave
concern. Not only do the farmers
make up one-half Of the nation, but
the well-being Of the other half de-
ponds upon them.
So long as we have nations, q wise
POLITICAL economy will aim at a large
degree Of national self-sufficiency and
self-containment. Rome fell when the
food supply was too far removed from
the belly. Like her, we shall destroy
our own agriculture and extend our
sources Of food distantly and precari-
ously, If we do not see to ii that our
farmers are well and fairly paid for
their services. The farm gives the
nation men as well as food. Cities
derive their vitality and are forever
renewed from the country, but an i'm
poverished countryside exports intelli-
gence and retains unintelligence
Only the lower grades of mentality
and character will remain on, or seek.
the farm, unless agriculture is capable
of being pursued with contentment and
adequate compensation. Hence, to EN-.
bitter and impoverish the farmer is to
dry up and contaminate the vital
sources of the nation.
The war Showed cOnvincingly how
dependent the nation is on the full
productivity of the farms. Despite
herculean efforts, agricultural produc
ton kept only few weeks or months
ahead of consumption, and that only
by increasing the acreage of certain
staple crops at the cost of reducing
that of others. We ought not to for
get that lesson when we ponder on
the farmers problems They are truly
common problems, and there should
be no attempt to deal with them as
II they were purely selfish demands
OF clear-cut group, antagonistic to
the rest of the community. Rather
should we consider agriculture in the
light of broad national policy, just
as we consider oil, coal. steel. dive.
stuffs, and so forth, as sinews of ma
tional strength. Our growing popula.
sAOAA oAAo a. hiSHCi vi lltlnE
demand increasing food supplies, and
more wool, cotton, hides, and the rest. |
With the disappearance of free or |
cheap fertile land, additional acreage |
and increased yields can come only |
from costly effort. This we need not |
expect from an Impoverished or un
happy rural population,
I will In n
OF the rural discomfort, or to appraise
IT from the standpoint of yesterday.
This Is peculiarly an age of flux and
change and new deals Because a
thing always has been so no longer
means that 1t Is righteous, or always
shall be so. More, perhaps, than ever
before, there is widespread feeling
that all human relations can be i'm.
proved by taking thought. and that II
Is not becoming for the reasoning ami.
NAL to leave his destiny largely TO
chance and natural incidence.
Prudent and orderly adjustment of
and distribution in accord.
ance with consumption is recognized
Is wise management in every business
out that OF farming. Yet, venture
% say, there is NO other Industry in
which II is so important to the pub.
ic-to the city-dweller--tbat produc-
lon should be sure, steady, and In.
and that distribution shouId
'e in proportion to the need. The nm.
organized farmers naturally act blind
and impulsively and, in conse.
uence, surfeit and dearth, accompa-
lied by disconcerting price-variations,
arass the consumer One year nota-
oes rot in the fields because of excess
reduction, and there is a scarcity Of
he things that have been displaced
0 make way for the expansion of the
otato acreage; next year the punish
d farmers mass their fields on some
Their crop, and potatoes enter the ,
lass of Injuries: and so on,
Agriculture is the greatest and fun.
the most important of orr
merican industries The cities arc c
ut the branches of the tree of M. ,
onal life, the roots of which 90 deem :
into the land. We all flourish or 6
ecline with the farmer So, when we 8
the cities read of the present mi +
ersal distress Of the farmers. of I
Jump Of six billion dollars in the farm I