Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1922-01-20

paralleled volume ana lh'eii9''1 VI NC
termined, if not angry, protest, ana an
oro,no,,s swarming of Occupational con-
ferences, interest groupings pollucai
movements and propaganda. Such a
.urmoil cannot but arrest our atten-
t,on indeed, it demands our careful
study and examination. 1t is not like
~ that six million aloof and ruggedly
,ndenendent men have come together
and handed themselves into active
nnions. societies, farm bureaus, and so
forth for no sufficient cause.
Investigation of the subject conclu-
s,rolv nroyes that, while there is much
reinstatement of grievances and mis-
convention of remedies, the farmers
ore right in complaining of wrongs
long endured, and right in holding that
Il is feasible to relieve their ills with
benefit TO the rest of the community,
This being the case Of an industry
that contributes, in the raw material
form alone, about one-third of the ma
tional annual wealth production and
Is the means of livelihood of about -
ner cent of the population, it is OBJ
yious that the subject is one of grave
concern Not only do the farmers
make up one-half of the nation, but
the Well-being of the other half de
pends upon them.
politcial economy will aim at a large
degree of national self-sufliCency and
selfcontainment Rome fell when the
food supply was too far removed from
the belly. Like her, we shall destroy
our own agriculture and extend our
sources of food distantly and precari-
ously, if we do not see to it that our
farmers are well and fairly paid for
their services. The farm gives the
nation men as well as food. Cities
derive their vitality and are forever
renewed from the country, but an i'm
poverished countryside exports intelli-
gence and retains unintelligence.
Only the lower grades of mentality
and character will remain on, or seek,
the farm, unless agriculture is capable
of being pursued With contentment and
adequate compensation, Hence to en-
bitter and impoverish the farmer is to
dry up and contaminate the vital
sources of the nation.
The war showed convincingiy how
dependent the nation is on the full
productivity of the farms Despite
herculean efforts, agricultural produc-
ahead of consumption and that only
by increasing the acreage of certain
staple crops at the cost of reducing
that OF others. We ought not to for
get that lesson when we ponder on
the farmers problems. They are truly
common problems, and there should
be no attempt to deal with them as
If they were purely selfish demands
oil q clear-cut group, antagonistic to
the rest Of the community. Rather
should we consider agriculture in the
hght of broad national policy, just
as we consider oil, coal steel, dye
stuifs, and so forth, as sinews of ma
uonal strength. Our growing popula
ton and higher standard of living
demand Increasing food supplies, and
more wool, cotton, hides, and the rest
with the disappearance of free or
cheap fertile land, additional acreage
and increased yields can come only
from costly effort This we need not
expect from an Impoverished or I'M
happy rural population.
1t will not do to take a narrow view
OF the rural discomfort, or to appraise
u from the standpoint of yesterday
Ihis is peculiarly an age of fux and
change and new deals Because a
thihg always has been SO no longer
means that it is righteous, or always
snail be so. More, perhaps, than ever
uelofe, there is a widespread feeling
that all human relations can be i'm
proved by taking thought, and that it
- NOT becoming for the reasoning ami
MAJ 10 leave his destiny largely to
0nance and natural incidence.
PRUDENT and orderly adjustment of
prouuction and distribution in accord
anee with consumption is recognized
as wise management in every business
\ out mat of farming. Yet, l venture
say there is no other industry in
"Aich 1t is so important to the pub
TO the city-dweller-that produc-
On should be sure, steady, and in
easing, and that distribution should
- IN proportion to the need. The un-
,sahized farmers naturally act blind
ana lmpulslvely and, in conse-
aaence surfeit and dearth, accompa-
eu oy disconcerting price-variations
aarass the consumer. One year pota-
.oes tot IN the fields because of excess
s.tIOauct'on and there is a scarcity of
s elngs that have been displaced
n y make way for the expansion of the
es'alo acreage; next year the punish
lariners mass their fields on some
clner crop, and potatoes enter the
Ass OF luxuries; and so on.
agriculture is the greatest and fun.
,enlaliy the most important Of our
H.. elican Industries. The cities are
w. -. ,he branches Of the tree of ma.
i, L0aal life, the roots of which 90 deep
G. INTO the land. We all flourish or
elhe With the farmer co o,ban We