Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-12-08
FRIDAY EVENING. DECEMBER 8. 1922.
FIXING WHEAT PRICES.

Inc ScVeH local men whose opinions on the
subject OF a guaranteed price FOR wheat have just
been quoted in The Herald include several practical
farmers who live on the farms which they operate
and others who own farms which are operated for
them, and who, because Of the character, of their
other business, are brought into close touch with
the farming industry and are deeply interested in
its prosperity.
Perhaps the most significant thing about these
interviews is the evidence contained in practically
all OF them OF reluctance to favor the guarantee OF
wheat prices by the government as anything more
than a temporary expedient, to be adopted as a
means tor tlding over an emergency. Three Of the
dirt farmers quoted can see no merit in the price
guarantee and are fatty opposed to it. The fourth
does not advocate it as a permanent policy, but be-
lieves that it may be useful as a temporary expedi-
ent. One banker is opposed to the guarantee as a
general principle, but thinks that some such meas
ue may possibly be warranted as a means of tenn
porary relief. Another banker proposes what ap-
pears to be a general pooling plan under govern
ment supervision. The representative OF a large as
ISOLATION OF wheat growers sees no merit in a gov
eminent guarantee, but looks for relief to the pri-
vate pooling plan.
1t is apparent that i'll the group represented
here there has been some serious thinking. There
is not one Of the men quoted whose interests have
not suffered materially from the low price of wheat
as compared with the prices of other commodities.
There is not one of them who would not be bene-
fitted by an adjustment which would tend to har-
IlollLc uIcsE divergent prices. Yet not one OF
them can see prospect Of a substantial relief in a
permanent policy of government price guarantee.
We have already in our experience constant
reminders of one OF the dangers OF even the appear
ance of a guarantee by the government Of the re-
turns from private industry. We find these in, con-
nection with the railway business, the ocean trans
port business and the tariff. The statement is made
earnestly and repeatedly that if the government
guarantees the earnings Of the railroads and the
shipping interests, and if it subsidies the manufac-
turing interests by a protective tariff, it should also
guarantee to the farmer a fair price for his product.
. The fact is that the government does not guar
antee the earnings of either railroads or shipping
companies, and that the effect of the tariff on prices
has i'll many cases been greatly exaggerated.
Nevertheless. the impression prevails that in one
form or another the government does make regula-
tons which tend to enhance the revenues of these
several interests at the expense of the general pub
lie, and. the precedent being created, there is the
inevitable demand that the application of the prime
lple be extended. n-.
If the guarantee policy be applied to wheat, it
must be extended to corn, and cotton, and tobacco.
The fruit growers will demand their share, and
there will be no place to draw the line until every
industry is included. a guarantee of the wages Of
labor will be the natural accompaniment, and the
principle must be. extended to every activity in
which men engage.