The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-02-03
Some Aspects of the
Farmers Problems
By BERNARD M BARUCH
OReprnted Monthly
tReprinted from Atlantic Monthly,
By BERNARD M. BARUCH

ing rair snare nuw. 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 occupational class. with the
possible exception of teachers. reli-
gious and lay Though we know that
the present general distress of the
farmers is exceptional and is linked
with the inevitable economic readiust-
ment following the war. ii must be
remembered that, although represent
and half the total population of the
nation, the rural communities ordI-
narily enjoy but fifth to quarter Of
the net annual national gain Notwith-
standing the taste Of prosperity that
the farmers had during the war, there
is today a lower standard of living
among the cotton farmers Of the South
than in any other pursuit In the country
In conclusion, ii seems to me that the
farmers are chiefly striving for gen
orally beneficial integration OF their
business. of the same kind and charac-
ter that other business enjoys If II
should be found On examination that
the attainment Of this end requires
methods different from those which
other activities have followed for the
same purpose should we not sympa-
ihetically consider the plea for the
right to cooperate, If only from our
own enlightened self interest. in OBJ
tanning an abundant and steady flow of
farm productsf
In examining the agricultural situa
ton with a view to its improvement
we shall be most helpful If we main
tain n detached and judicial viewpoint,
remembering that existing wrongs may
ne chiefly an accident Of unsymmetri
cal economic growth instead If crea-
ton Of malevolent design and conspira-
CIV. We Americans are srone. as Pro-
fessor David Friday well says in his
admirable DO k. profits. Wages and
Prices" to seek criminal intent be-
hind every difficult and undesirable eco
monte situation" / can positively as
sert from my contact with men OF
large affairs. Including bankers that,
as whole. they are endeavoring t.
fulfill as they see them the obligations
that go with their power. Preoccupied
with the grave problems and heavy
tasks Of their own immediate affairs,
they have not turned their thoughtful
personal attention or their construc-
tive abilities 10 the deficiencies of agri
cultural business organization. Agri-
culture ii may be said, suffers from
their preOccupati0n and neglect rather
than from any purposeful exploitation
bv them. They ought now to begin to
respond to the farmers difficulties
which they must realize are their own.
on the other hand. my contacts with
the farmers have filed me with respect
for them-for their sanity. their pa
tience their balance Within the last
wear and particularly at meeting
called by the Kansas State Board of
Agriculture and at another called by
the Committee of Seventeen. | have
met many Of the leaders of the new
farm movement, and | testify in all
sincerity that they are endeavoring to
deal with their problems not as pro-
motors of narrow class interest. not
rs exploiters of the hapless consumer.
not as mereiless monopoiists, but as
honest ment bent ON the Improvement
IF the common veal
We can and must meet such me,
and such cause half way Their
business is our husiness-the nations
business