The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-01-27

paraIleled volume and intensity Of de-
termined. II not angry. protest, and an
cminous swarmlng of occupational con
ferences, interest groupings, political
movements and propaganda. Such .
turmoil cannot but arrest our atten-
ton. Indeed, 1t demands our careful
study and examination. It is not like.
~ that six million aloof and ruggedly
Independent men have come together
and banded themselves into active
unions, societies, farm bureaus, and 30
forth, for no SUFFICIENT cause.
Investigation Of the subject conclu-
siveiy proves that. while there Is much
overstatement Of grievances and mis-
conception OF remedies, the farmers
are right in complaining Of wrongs
long endured, and right in holding that
It is feasible to relieve their Ills with
benefit to the rest of the community.
This being the case Of an industry
that contributes, In the raw material
form alone, about one-third Of the ma.
tional annual wealth production and
is the means of livelihood Of about 40
per cent Of the population, 1t is OBJ.
vious that the subject Is one OF grave
concern. Not only do the farmers
make up one-half of the nation, but
the well-being of the other half de-
ponds upon them.
SO long as we have nations, wise
POLITICAL economy will aim at large
degree of national self-sufiiciency and
self-containment. Rome fell when the
food supply was too far removed from
the belly. Like her, we shall destroy
our own agriculture and, extend our
sources of food distantly and precari'
ously, II we do not see to 1t that our
farmers are well and fairly paid for
their services. The farm gives the
nation men as well as food. Cities
derive their vitality and are forever
renewed from the country, but an i'm.
poverished countryside exports intelli-
gence and retains unintelligence.
Only the lower grades Of mentality
and character will remain on, or seek,
the farm, unless agriculture is capable
of being pursued with contentment and
adequate compensation. Hence, to en-
bitter and impoverish the farmer Is to
dry up and contaminate the vital
sources Of the nation.
The war showed convlncingly how
dependent the nation is on the full
productivity of the farms. Despite
herculean efforts, agricultural produc-
ton kept only a few weeks or months
ahead of consumption, and that only
by Increasing the acreage of certain
staple crops at the cost of reducing
that of others. We ought not to for
get that lesson when we ponder on
the farmers problems. They are truly
/ common problems, and there should
be no attempt to deal with them as
IL they were purely selfish demands
Of clear-cut group, antagonistic to
the rest of the community. Rather
should we consider agriculture In the
light Of broad national policy Just
as we consider Oil. coal, steel, dye
stuffs, and so forth, as sinews Of ma
tional strength. Our growing popula.
ton and higher standard Of living
demand increasing food supplies, and
more wool, cotton, hides, and the rest
With the disappearance Of free OF
cheap fertile land, additional acreage
and increased Yields can come only
from costly effort. This we need moi
expect from an impoverished or un
happy rural population.
It will not do to take narrow view
of the rural discomfort, or to appraist
IL from the standpoint of yesterday
This is peculiarly an age Of fiux anC
change and new deals. Because {
thing always has been so no Longer
means that 1t Is righteous, or always
shall be So More, perhaps, than evel
before, there is a widespread feeling
that all human relations can be i'm
proved by taking thought, and that I
Is not becoming for the reasoning ami
NAL to leave his destiny largely t.
chance and natural incidence.
Prudent and orderly adjustment o
production and distribution in accord
ance with consumption Is recognized
as wise management in every business
but that of farming. Yet, ventur
TO say, there is no other industry II
which 1t is so important to the pub
.lic--to the city-dweller-that produc
ton should be sure, steady, and in
creasing, and that distribution shoul,
be in proportion to the need. The IN
organized farmers naturally act blind
ly and impulsively and, 10 conse
quence, surfeit and dearth. accompa
MED by dsconcerting price-yariations
harass the consumer. One year pota
toes rot In the fields because Of exees
production, and there is a scarcity 0
the things that have been displace
10 make way for the expansion Of th
potato acreage; next year the punish
ed farmers mass their fields on som
other crop, and potatoes enter tn
class of Injuries; and SO on.
Agriculture Is the greatest and fur
tlamentally the most important Of on
American Industries. The cities ar
INT the branches Of the tree Of M
tional life, the roots Of which so deeI
" into the land We all flourish 9
decline with the farmer. SO. when v
az tile cities read Of the present nm