The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1922-01-19

To take tolerant and sympathetic
view Of the farmers strivings for bet
ter things Is not to give a blanket
endorsement to any specific plan, and
still less to applaud the yagaries Of
some Of their leaders and groups.
Neither should we, on the other hand,
allow the froth Of bitter agitation,
false economics, and mistaken radical
ism to conceal the facts of the farm
ers disadvantages, and the practicable
ity of eliminating them by well-con-
sidered measures. 1t may be that the
farmers will not show the business
sagacity and develop the wise leader
ship to carry through sound plans but
that possibility does not justify the
obstruction Of their upward efforts
We, as city people, see In high and
speculatively manipulated prices.
spoilage, waste, scarcity, the results
Of defective distribution Of farm prod
ucts. Should it not occur to us that
we have a common interest with the
farmer in his attempts to attain a de-
gree Of efficiency In distribution cor
responding to his efficiency In produc-
ton? Do not the recent fluctuations
in the May wheat option, apparently
unrelated to normal lnteraction Of
supply and demand, offer a timely
proof Of the need Of some such stabll-
izing agency as the grain growers have
In contemplation
1t Is contended that, II their pro-
posed organizations be perfected and
operated. the farmers will have In
their hands an instrument that will be
capable Of dangerous abuse. We are
told that it will be possible to pervert
1t TO arbitrary and oppressive price
fixing from its legitimate use OF order
ing and stabilizing the flow Of farm
products TO the market, 10 the mutual
benefit Of producer and consumer. /
have no apprehensions on this point.
In the first place, loose organiza-
ton, such as any union Of farmers
must be at best cannot be SO arbl-
trarily and promptly controlled as a
great corporation. The one is a lum-
bering democracy and the other an agile
autocracy. In the second place, with
all possible power of org nizatiOn. the
farmers cannot succeed TO any great
extent or for any considerable length
Of time, in fixing prices. The great
law OF supply and demand works in
various and surprising ways, to the
undoing Of the best laid plans that
attempt to foil It. In the third place,
their power will avail the farmers
nothing If 1t be abused In our time
and country power Is of value to Its
possessor only so long as Il ls not
abused. 1t Is fair 10 say that | have
seen no signs In responsible quarters
OF disposition to dictate prices.
There seems, on the contrary, to be a
commonly beneficial purpose to realize
a stability that will Civ an orderly
and abundant flow OF farm products
10 the consumer and ensure reasonable
and dependable returns to the pro-
Queer.
In view Of the supreme importance
10 the national well-being Of Il pros
porous and contented agricultural pop
ulatlon, we should be prepared 10 90
long way In assisting the farmers 10
get an equitable share OF the wealth
they produce, through the Inaugural
tlon OF reforms that will procure a
continuous and increasing stream Of
farm products. They are far from get
ting fair share now. Considering
his capital and the long hours Of labor
put In by the average farmer and his
family he Is remunerated less than
any other occupatlonal class, with the
possible exception Of teachers. rell-
gious and lay. Though we know that
the present general distress Of the
farmers Is exceptional and Is linked
with the Inevitable economic readlust-
ment following the war, II must be
remembered that. although represent