The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-19
Strikes Have Affected Conn
merce of COuntry-Mereer.
Agricultural Industry Has Al"
ready Undergone Heavy Loss.
PRICES IN SLIGHT INCREASE
Farmers Have Taken Losses
With But Little Murmur.
No WaIkout or Strike Has Been
Considered in State.

The livestock industry as Wen as
all other farm business and IN Iacti
the entire commerce of our country
is feeling the railroad and coal strikes
severely" ]. H. Mercer, state liVe-
stock sanitary commissioner and sec
retarv of the Kansas Livestock asso-
citation, declared IN a statement issued
IN the ni-monthly publication OF
The Kansas Stockman, thu orfeiai
journal of the association.
aFor the last three and one-hair
years almost every phase OF {he a "a 4.
cultural industry of this country INA :
undergone terrific losses by reason OF
deflation of prices of farm produets on
one hand. and II continued high cost
~ production on the other" Mr.. Mer-
ccr declared yet the farmers haNS
80, heir Igsses with but little muir
muir OF complaint; they have not re
sorted to a strike, but there IS no
other class of people engaged IN any
Industry in the United states that
would submit to the punishment III
the way of losses that the farmer mas
suffered. without making a strenuous
protest in the form of walkout or
strike"
Meet Cost of Production.
During the past few months prices
on farm products have increased 10
a Doint where they are meeting the
-oet ~ production," the livestock COM
missioner Continued, and II seems
most unfortunate that Iilroad ana
coal strike should take place at tnls
time. as il IS bound TO stagnate the
commerce of ouI eountr, ana II con-
tinued. will cause slump IN prices
OF farm products far below the Cost
of production
NO person or set of persons en-
gagged in the service of public trans
Dorta ton. .pr the production OF coal
ct OOitX Whlcn
is a necessity to the people OF TINS
country, should be permitted 70
strike" Mr.. Mercer declared. we,
the people. the government shouio sec
10 it that provisions are maze wn lsio-
by both corporations. and employees
conducting those industries upon
which the general welfare OF the peo-
pie is dependent, shall arbitrate thelT
disputes. This constant Industrial
friction, resulting in one strike after
another. which disturbs the business
life of our country and gains both cap
itaI and labor nothing, should cease
II is high time that the great majority
of the people. who believe IN TINS
country, make protest and see Lrat
definite program be instituted Whch
will prevent such futile -dustrial de-
moraliZation.
Can Quit Work Anytime
Every man and woman should
have a right to Quit work when ne or
she pleases, Mr.. Mercer said puI
they should not have the right to con-
sDire with OF intimidate their fellow
workers to stop work in order to shut
down production or tie up the COM
merce Of the land. Neither should
they have right to interfere with
legitimate labor, especially when th2
welfare OF their fellow men is at stake
IN reviewing this situation We are
not assuming to understand the lssu IS
in the present industrial controversies
sufficiently t. charge either the en-
pIoyers or employees with being in the
wrong" Mr.. Mercer said in conclu-
sion. We &c know that the present
situation is disa: trOus to the best in
terests of all OF people, And If 1t Is
impossible for the contending forces
TO reach an agreement at once, we,
the people, the government, should
take charge Of these great Industries
and operate them for the protection
and welfare IF the general public