Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1922-01-22

world was doing. The result Is that
the agricultural group IL almost a
much at q disadvantage In dealing with
other economic groups as the Jay farm
er Of the funny pages In the hands Of
sleek urban confidence men. who sell
him acreage In Central Park or the
Chicago city hall. The leaders Of the
farmers thoroughly understand this.
and they are in;elllgently striving TO
integrate their industry 50 that II will
be ON an equal footing with other bust
nesses.
As an example Of indignation. take
the steel Industry, In which the model
Is the United States Steel Corporation.
with its iron mines. Its coal mines. Its
lake and rail- transportation. its ocean
vessels. Its by-prOduct coke ovens, its
blast furnaces. Its open hearth and
Bessemer furnaces. Its rolling mills. Its
tube mills and other manufactu ring
processes that are carried to the high
est degree Of finished production CON.
patlbie with the large trade IL has
built up. All this Is generally conced-
ed TO be to the advantage Of the con-
sumer. Nor does the steel corporation
inconsiderately dump Its products on
the market. On the contrary. II so
acts that II Is frequently a stabilizing
influence. as Is often the case with 9th
er large organizations II Is master OF
Its distribution AS well as II its pro-
dnction. II prices are not satisfactory
the products are held back or prodgc-
tion Is reduced or suspended. I, Is not
compelled to send a years work 10 the
market at one time and take whatever
II can get under such circumstances.
II has one selling policy and its own
export department Neither are the
grades and qualities of steel derermin-
Ell at the caprice Of the buyer. nor does
the latter hold the scales. In this sin
gle Indignation OF the steel corporation
Is represented about ~ per cent OF the
steel production If America The rest
Is mostly In the hands Of few large
companies. In ordinary times the
steel corporation. by example, stabilizes
all steel prices. If this Is permissible
tit Is even desirable. because stable
ana continued prosperity why would
II be wrong FOR the farmers to utilize
central agencies that would have sini-
lar effects on agricultural products?
Something Ike that Is what they are
aiming at
Some farmers favored by regional
compac tness and contiguity. such as the
o O.. Ns
ready have found way legally 10
merge and sell their products lnte-
orally and In accordance with seasonal
and local demand, thus Improving
their position and rendering the con
sumer reliable service Of ensured
quality, certain supply. and reasonable
and relatively steady prices. They
have not found Il necessary TO resort
to any special privilege. or to claim
any exemption under the antitrust
legislation Of the state or nation. With
out removing local control. they have
built up very efficient marketing
agency. The grain, cotton. and to-
bacco farmers, and the producers Of
hides and wool, because Of their num-
bers and the vastness Of their regions.
and for other reasons, have found
more difficult task;
though there are now some thousands
Of farmers cooperative elevators.
creameries. and other Ell
terprlses Of one sort and another, with
a turnover OF billion dpllers a year.
They 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 ot
adjusted marketing In any
large and fundamental way.
The next step. which will be pat
tern for other groups. is now being
prepared by the grainraisers through
the establishment of sales media which
shall handle grain separately or col
lectively, as the individual farmer may
elect II is this step-the plan Of the
Committee OF Seventeen-which has
created 50 much opposition and is
thought by some TO be in conflict with
The antitrust laws. Though there is
now before congress measure de-
signed TO clear up doubt on this point,
he grain producers are not relying on
any immunity from antitrust legisla-
ion. They desire and they are en-
titled. to coordinate their efforts Just
IS effectively as the large business in
'erests of the country have done. In
with the selling. organiza-
ions the United States Grain Growers