Oxford eagle., 1922-01-19

A%~~SS
the marketing Of their productions,
especially raw milk, because OF the
high costs Of distribution, which they
must ultimately bear.
III
Now that the farmers are stirring,
thinking. and uniting as never before
to eradicate these inequalities, they
are subjected to stern economic lee
lures, and are met with the accusation
that they are demanding, and are the
recipients of, special privileges Let
us see what privileges the government
has conferred ON the farmers. Much
has been made of Section Of the
Clayton Antitrust Act, which pur-
ported to permit them to combine with
immunity, under certain conditions.
Admitting that. nominally, this ex-
emption was in the nature Of special
privilege. though think 1t was so in
appearance rather than in fact,--we
find that the courts have nullified 1t
by judicial Interpretation. Why should
not the farmers be permitted to ac-
cOmplish by cooperative methods what
other businesses are already doing by
cooperation In the form Of inc0rpora-
ton? II it be proper for men to form,
by fusion Of existing corporations or
otherwise, corporation that controls
the entire production OF commodity.
or a large part Of It, why Is 1t not
proper for group Of farmers to unite
for the marketing OF their common
products, either In one or In several
selling agencies? Why should 1t be
right for hundred thousand corporate
shareholders to direct Is or 80 or 40
per cent of an industry, and wrong for
hundred thousand cooperative
farmers to control no larger proper
tIon Of the wheat crop, or cotton. Or
any other product
The Department Of Agriculture u
often spoken Of as special concession
to 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 oue
improved cultural methods and prac-
does. In developing better yielding va
deties through breeding and selection,
in introducing new varieties from re-
mote parts 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
II is complained that, whereas the
law restricts Federal Reserve banks
TO three months time for commercial
paper. the farmer Is allowed SIX
months on his notes This Is not
special privilege. but merely such
recognition of business conditions as
makes it possible for country banks
to do business with country people.
The crop farmer has only one turn
over a year. while the merchant and
manufacturer have many lncidental-
ly. | note that the Federal Reserve
Board has just authorized the Fed
eral Reserve banks. to discount export
paper for a period OF six months, to
conform to the nature Of the busi-
ness.
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
to as an instance Of special govern
ment favor for farmers. Are they not
rather the outcome OF laudable efforts
to equalize rural and urban condlr
tons? And about all the government
does there is to help set up an ad-
ministrative organization and lend 2
little credit at the start. Eventually
the farmers will provide all the capi-
tal and carry oil the liabilities them
selves. II is true that Farm Loan
bonds are tax exempt; but SO are
bonds Of municipal light and traction
plants. and new housing Is to be ex-
empt from taxation, In New York, Tor
ten years.
On the other hand, the farmer reads
a plans for municipal housing proJ-
ects that run into the billions, Of hun
dreds Of millions annually spent on
the merchant marine: he reads that
ia railways are being favored with
increased rates and virtual guarantees
q earnings By the government. with
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