Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1922-01-19

The whole rural world is In fer.
ment of unrest, and there Is an un-
paralleled volume and intensity of de-
termined, II not angry, protest, and an
)mnOus swarming of Occupational con-
ferences, interest groupings, politicai
movements and propaganda. Such
turmoil cannot but arrest our atteh'
ton Indeed, II demands our careful
study and examination II Is not ike
ly that six million alaoi and fuggedly
independent men have come together
and banded themselves into active
unions, societies, farm bureaus ana so
forth, for No sufficient cause.
Investigation OF lhe subject conciu.
sively proves that, while there Is much
Ovcrstatement of grievances and mis-
conception of remedies, the farmers
are right in complaining OF wrongs
long endured, and riGli In holding that
II Is feasible to relieve their Ills with
benefit to the rest 0f the community.
This being the case Of an industry
that contributes in the raw material
form alone, about one-thlrd of the na.
tional annual wealth production and
is the means of livelihood Of about 40
per cent of the population, II Is OBJ.
vious that the subject Is one of grave
concern. Not only do the farmers
make up one-half of the nation, but
the well-belng Of the other half de
pends upon them.
SO long as we have nations, wise
POLITICAL economy will aim at a large
degree of national self-sutflciency and
self-contalnment. 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 dlstantly and precari.
o.sly, II we do moi 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 Inn
poyerished 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 convincingly how
dependent the nation is on the full
productivity Of the farms. Despite
herculean efforts, agricultural produc-
tion kept only few weeks or months
ahead of consumption, and that only
by increasing the acreage of certain
staple crops at the cost Of reducing
thai 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
II they were purely selfish demands
Of a clear-cut group, antagonistic to
the rest of the community. Rather
should we consider agriculture In the
light of broad national policy, just
as we consider oil, coal, steel, dye
stuffs, and so forth, as sinews Of ma
tional strength. Our growing popula-
ton and a 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 un.
happy rural population.
II will not do to take narrow view
of the rural discomfort, or to appraise
II from the standpoint Of yesterday.
This is peculiarly an age of fiux and
change and new deals. Because q
thing always has been so no longer
means that II Is righteous, or always
shall be so. More. perhaps, than ever
before, there Is q widespread feeling
that all human relations can be Inn.
proved by taking thought, and that II
Is not becoming for the reasoning AMI.
NAL to leave his destiny largely to
chance and natural incidence.
| Prudent and orderly adjustment Of
production and distribution in accord
ance with consumption is recognized
as wise management in every business
but that of farming. Yet, | venture
to say, there is no other industry In
which IL is so important to the pub
lIc-to the city-dweller-that produc
ton should he sure, steady, and In
creaslng, and that distribution should
be in proportion to the need. The un
organized farmers naturally act blind
ly and Impulsively and, in conse
quence, surfeIt and dearth, acCompa
MED by disconcerting price-varietions
harass the consumer. One year pota
toes rot In the fields because Of excess
! --oductiOn. and there Is scarcity Q