McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1922-03-24
TALKS TO FARMERS
THos, +, PECk, Commissioner OF Agrisultuss
Farmers Prospects Frightening

For the past rev weeks the
tendency of the market for farm
products has been upward, and
the prospects for the farmer have
frightened. If he can manage
to pay his taxes and get ready
money to carry him Until he can
cultivate and market another
crop, his outlook will be good.
The last two seasons have been
improbable for the farmer.
Many farmers have not come out
even. They must have financial
assistance in this crisis Without
it his productive capacity will be
materially reduced. Many would
be compelled to drop out as pro-
ducers. The disastrous effects
would then not be confined to
farmers. The curtailment of his
purchasing power by SIS, 600, 600. :
600 year for the past two years
has been seriously felt in every
line of business.
This problem of financing the
farmer over the shoals rests with
the bankers in the territory near
the farmers. The War Finance
Corporation has provided avail
able funds, and with the farmers
owning $78, 900, 0O0,0OO of the
productive wealth of the country,
they can provide ample and safe
collateral security. Bankers
are not in business for the
present year alone. Like other
successful businesses, they are
trying to enlarge their business
and their scope of operations. and
now is their opportunity with the
farmers to build for the future.
Help them now when they need
it, and insure a permanent val
liable patronage. Cooperation
between bankers and farmers
now will result in increased pros
perity for both.
It is not expected of the bank
ers that they take any unneces-
sary risks-no more than with
other loans-but among the far
mers there is collateral that, will
make loans safe. Farmers need
ing money should go to their
bankers and make frank state
ments of their resources and their
needs. Bankers can afford to
give special attention to the far
mers' case in advising them how
to use their resources as collateral.
There might not be a big margin
of profit in this immediate en-
Urgency loan, but thousands of
valuable patrons can be secured
by lending helping hand at this
time.
| Farmers have learned some val
liable lessons during the past two
years. The cooperative spirit is
growing; they are recognizing
that there is a business side to
farming, as well as a productive
side. The Federal Government
has awakened to the needs of
the farmers as a class, and has
provided legislation that will help
in the solution of some problems
that heretofore been very hard
ones, and that have handicapped
him in his operations.
When bankers take the trouble
to get the figures representing
the productive capacity of the
farmers, and that the latter are
In the future going toinject more
of business methods in their op.
erations, they will realize that
the business of the farmer is Of
a volume and character worth
going after. Now is the oppor'
tune time to show a friendly in.
terest in a class which Is the
greatest producer Of wealth, and
will utilize that wealth in q more
practical way than ever before.
! The wise banker will profit b,
the present opportunity to hell
the farmer.