Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-10-09
Camper Is Inconsistent

g ENATOR ARTHUR CApPER, OF Kan
~ sas. in signed editorial in his paper,
Capper's Weekly. makes strong plea for
reduction of railroad freight rates as the
only salvation for the American farmer
from impending financial disaster. He says
that unless have lower freight rates
speedily our big crops from which we have
hoped so much will become more Of a liabi-
ty than an asset. Much lower prices this
harvest three years of losses, and the
higher-than-w rail rates. he says, arc con
Stunning our farmers. They have reached
their last ditch. They can endure no Nor
i'll support of his contention that
railroads should voluntarily make reduc-
tons, in default OF which the Interstate
Commerce Commission must with utmost
promptness put such rates in effect. he
cites official railroad estimates that for the
last five months of this year the Glass
roads will earn net operating incomes Of
$3.50. 100000. This will make n total of
S'oo'ooo,ooo for the year compared with
earnings OF S615,0O0,O00 for 1921. Nine
hundred millions net income equals per
cent on $lS.000,00 900. the total prop
or'y value of the roads, and this doesn't
take into account another income amount
rg 10 a considerable item in figuring divi-
.dcnd prospects. Notwithstanding the two
great nationwide strikes which at times
threatened TO tie up the railroads and other
industries, the mounting tide of railway
prosperity has gone on and on and has
been reflected in steady and great advance
i'll railroad securities representing an aver
age rise in these stocks Of 80 per cent In
single year
Contrasted with this showing OF the
prosperity of the railroads, which is partici-
pated in by their employees to the extent OF
an increased wage whose purchasing power
wac = IA
than i'll 1913, he shows by statistics gath
cred by the Secretary of the Department Of
Agriculture that the purchasing power OF
everything produced on the farm has re-
latively declined. being from IS to As per
cent less than in 1913. In the face Of this
situation he cites government figures show
ing tint retail prices advanced l per cent
during July; Wholesale prices advanced
3 l-2 per cent and living costs in July
1922. were 10 per cent higher than in July
1921. so" he says, "our farmers are
double-crossed. first, by the lower values
for what they have TO sell. second. by the
higher prices they must pay for everything
they would buy"
The picture he presents-and it Is not
Observation-Disclosures a gloomy outlook in
decd, for the farmer. His argument for
reduction in railroad freight rates is CON
vncing. and the relief ne demands must
come sooner or later. otherwise the farmer
will soon be at the end of his resources
But If this is the desperate condition 10
which tho farmer has been brought what
must he thought Of the attitude of Senator
Camper in supporting a tariff measure whose
effect will he still further TO decrease values
for everything tho farmer has to sell and
increase prices for everything that he has to
buy? AS a member Of tho farm bloc in
Congress, Senator Camper voted for "A tariff
which, for every dollar OF protection it
gives the farmer against limited foreign
competitions robs him of several dollars for
the benefit Of the favored interests given
monopoly home market which enables them
to protieer at will on everything he has 10
buy The Kansas Senator's solcitude for
tho farmer is wofully lacking in consist
enCv