The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-02-08
aFARM BLOC in CONGRESS-
Farmers Situation Presented BY pfof'
Mechlin Of Dartmouth.

The first "smoke talk arranged t.y
the entertainment committee a the
Barre Board OF Trade was held IN the
Vincitia club rooms last evening, arg
il was a success from every point 81
view. An audience Of approximately
200 men heard the address delivered w
Prof. John H. Mecklin, professor OF
sociology at Dartmouth college. be,
,eause Of the nature of the topic q
the address the oranges Of Cobble iiiii,
South Barre and Berlin were invited
to attend, and all were representa-.
Homer c. Ladd introduced Prof.
Meclslin to the assemblage, and also
stated the nature Of his remarks .cr
the evening. The subject under dts-
c,rssion was the Farm Bloc In Con-
press.y In opening his address tie
speaker warned the audience cot TO
expect him to explain the whole situ-
alton or suggest the final means oi
settlement. Asking all those present
10 diyest themselves Of any personal
prejudice or antagonistic attitude, ne
entered into an explanation Of the s''p'
iect in question.
The first big problem Of Americans
10 day Us to understand the other e
lows wants and needs. The speak
er said that the biggest menace 70
business integrity Is ignorance OF nese
needs. not corruption or insurrestion.
Peoples imaginations must be put 70
work to see these problems. The taim-
ers in some places are unable to send
their children to school. The sost oi
production has been, in many eases,
almost double the amount sallzed
from the sale Of produce, causing a
loss of several billions of dollars 70 the
farmer. The worst factor OF It All IS
that Il IS increasing the indebtedness
of the farmer about 1872 per cent. in
1910 two thirds OF the farms were
free from mortgages, and IN 1870 Oily
about one-half we're unencumoered'
Lack OF credit has been the big hold
back to the farmer His case Is s1me-
what different from other business, laf
he must wait for his harvest or ieIds
To grow before he can begin 70 pay
on his loans.
| Prof. Mecklin said that, contrary 70
some reports, the western farmers are
not taking bolshevistic attitude, noi
n soeialistic outlook on the situation
but merely want alleviation from tl'eli
| problems. The farm bureaus, eorn
clubs and such things are undouaLedls
| helping the situation, but naticn1l an
| Is the greatest need of the tillnr O
the soil. He thinks that putting more
~ the social element into business l.ft
would tend to do away with what ht
called the acquisitive influence. rs
thought lowering OF the high saritl
waU is necessary TO get the farmers
back onto their feet, as they are forcet
Ia sell al Europe's offer and must buy
at American prices.
Better home, social. and religious
life in agricultural communities, sr'
also suggested as a means Of protec
ton. The installation Of farmers q
boards relating to the welfare Of Iatm
ers and bankers on the federal s~c.v'
hoard who appreciate the needs y TIN
occupation would aid immensely frel
Aecklin thinks that the indesnnit,
placed upon Germany is Impossible
nayment. az Germany IL econo nirul'
Il exllauStcu, anu nv dAAhSp e
the indemnity matter IS adlusteu
there win not be world prosperity. n
trouble is a world problem as "
American farm industry IS primarily
an export industry.
On the conclusion Of his adifes
Prof. Mecklin answered the question
III those present. who were interested
IN the situation. His remarks wcr'
clearly and forcefully presented, "
talk being very much enjoyed AZ
those who heard him.
After the situation had been tier
ouglly discussed. cigars were fu.nisiis'
and luncheon served to all VII
cared for such. and cards, billla 'ds
pool. checkers and chess we're enioye'
| for the rest Of the evening.