The log cabin Democrat., 1922-01-28

the marketing of their productions, especially raw milk, because of the high costs of distribution, which they must ultimately bear.
 Now that the farmers are stirring, thinking, and uniting as never before to eradicate these inequalities, they are subjected to stern economic lec- lures, and are met with the accusation that they are demanding, and are the recipients of, special privileges. Let us see what privileges the government has conferred on the farmers Much has been made of Section 6 of the Clayton Antitrust Act, which pur- ported to permit them to combine with Immunity, under certain conditions Admitting that. nominally, this ex- emption was in the nature of special privilege,-though I think it was so In appearance rather than in fact,-we find that the courts have nullified 1t by judicial Interpretation. Why should not the farmers be permitted to &C., complish by cooperative methods what other businesses are already doing by cooperation In the form of incorpora- tion? If 1t be proper for men to form, by fusion of existing corporations or otherwise, corporation that controls the entire production of a commodity, or large part of 1t, why Is 1t not proper for group of farmers to unite for the marketing of their common products, either in one or in several selling agencies? Why should 1t be right for hundred thousand corporate shareholders to direct 25 or 30 or 40 per cent of an industry, and wrong for hundred thousand cooperative farmers to control a no larger propor- tlon of the wheat crop, or cotton, or any other product?
 The Department of Agriculture is often spoken of as special concession to the farmers, but in its commercial results. 1t is of as much benefit to the buyers and consumers of agricultural products as to the producers, or even more. I do not suppose that anyone opposes the benefits that the farmers derive from the educational and re- search work of the department, or the help that 1t gives them in working out improved cultural methods and prac- tices, In developing better yielding va rieties through breeding and selection, in introducing new varieties from re- mote parts of the world and adapting them to our climate and economic con- dition, and in devising practical meas- ures for the elimination or control of dangerous and destructive animal and plant diseases, insect pests, and the like. All these things manifestly tend to stimulate and enlarge production, and their general beneficial effects are obvious.
 It Is complained that, whereas the law restricts Federal Reserve banks to three months time for commercial paper, the farmer Is allowed six months on his notes. This Is not special privilege, but merely such a recognition of business conditions 3s makes 1t possible for country banks to do business with country people. The crop farmer has only one turn over year, while the merchant and manufacturer have many. Incidental lv, I note that the Federal Reserve Board has just authorized the Fed eral Reserve banks to discount export paper for a period of six months, to conform to the nature of the bust ness.
 The Farm Loan banks are pointed to as m instance of special govern ment favor for farmers Are they not rather the outcome of laudable effor-ts to eaualize rural and urban condi- tions? And about all the government does there Is to help set up an ad ministrative organization and lend little credit at the start. Eventually the farmers will provide all the capi- tai and carry all the liabilities them selves. It Is true that Farm Loan bonds are tax exempt; but so are bonds of municipal light and traction plants, and new housing Is to be ex- empt from taxation, in New York, for ten years.
 On the other hand, the farmer reads of plans for municipal housing prof ects that run Into the billions, of hun dreds of millions annually spent on the merchant marine; he reads that the railways are being favored with increased rates and virtual guaUnties of earnings by the government, with the result to him of an increased toll on all that he sells and all that he buys He hears of many manifesto