South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-02-08
Chamber of Commerce CiUen
Information on Farm Chaos

act together IN associations, cor
porate or otherwise, with or without
capital stock. for purposes connect
ed with the production. processing
preparing for market, handling and
marketing in interstate commerce
such products OF persons so engaged
with specific statements OF their
rights. powers. remedies and hmita-
tions, and which will Permit such
associations TO have marketing
agencies IN common and TO make
such contracts and agreements
necessary TO affect such purposes.
Must Determine Price Fixing.
The committee. said Mr.. Stephen
son. recommended that congress
clarity present federal statutes by
an Affirmative declaration that such
action by cooperative associations Is
not included IN the prohibition
against restraint OF trade. II was
also urged that congress cause a
careful investigation OF the whole
problem TO be made by some proper
authority which will report its find
ings as early as practicable. The
committee believes that congress
and the president OF the United
States should take steps that will
Immediately re-establish fair ex-
change value for all farm products
with that Of all other commodities.
Orderly marketing" said the
speaker. (which represents the even
distribution of the nations farm
PRODUCTS in response to the demands
Of trade and the consumers Is basic
in giving the farmer a fair price
for his crops or products. The in
dividual farmer IS not competent to
handle or even influence this ques-
ton Therefore il is the duty Of all
classes Of people to see that farm
products are marketed in a system
attic manner, with adequate pro-
vision for all the facilities In
volved
Western Farmers Troubled.
Mr.. Stephenson stated that he be-
lieved the farmers in the far west
were in an exceedingly deplorable
financial condition that can only be
overcome by the cooperative and
orderly marketing system. Prices
on agricultural products, he said.
rose and fell according to the de-
mand. At the present time the de-
mand IN this country IS exceeded by
the supply and the only markets
seem to be abroad However, the
nations that are in need Of the sur
plus products have no money to pay
for II, which would force the United
States, should a world market be
established. to lend without collec-
tive security money to those ma
lions. 1.-THE orderly marketing
plan" he pointed out, seems to be
a much easier and better way out
Of the greatest trouble the farmers
have ever been in"
The lecture ended. Mr.. Stephenson
was the recipient of much gratitude
on the part Of the chamber Of COM
merce members. A detailed explain
alton on the inside movements that
govern the congress, organized to
once more place the farmer on a
level plane had cleared i'm their
mind any doubt or detail in which
their faith had been tested. Mr..
Stephenson one OF the biggest auth
critics on the farm situation in the
country, and a member of the Ma
tional Bankers Farm committee.
may be brought 70 Mishawaka again
to lecture to a larger group OF ctti-
zens on the worth and work OF the
farm congress, il was stated after
the meeting. cit Is a pity" one
member said. that every one can
not understand just what stringent
moves are needed to successfully
help the farmer get bscg to nor
malCy.~