The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1922-02-10


ment of unrest, and there is an un
paralleed volume and intensity of de
termined, if not angry, protest, and al
ominous swarming of occupational con
ferences, interest groupings, political
movements and propaganda. such Q
turmoil cannot but arrest our atten-
ton. Indeed, II demands our careful
study and examination. 1t Is not like
" that six million aloof and ruggedly
Independent men have come together
and banded themselves into active
unions, societies, farm bureaus, and so
FORTH for no sufficient cause
Investigation of the subject conclu-
sIvely proves that, while there is much
overstatement Of grievances and mis-
conception of remedies, the farmers
are right in complaining Of wrongs
1t 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
tlonal 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-sufficiency 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, If we do not see to it 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
poverlshed 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 impoversh the farmer is to
dry up and contaminate the vital
sources of the nation
The war showed convnclngly 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 mot to for
get that lesson when we ponder OH
the farmers problems. They are truly
common problems, and there should
be no attempt to deal with them as
II they were purely selfish demands
or 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
Iional strength. Our growing popula
lion and higher standard of living {
demand increasing food supplies. and t
more wool, cotton, hides, and the rest i
With the disappearance of free or
heap fertile land, additional acreage +
md increased yields can come only j.
rom costly effort. This we need moi ;.
Expect from an impoverished or un. :.
appy rural population. =
II VIII not do to take a narrow view II
I the rural discomfort, or to appraise e
from the standpoint OF yesterday
his Is peculiarly an age of f1ux and :"
hange and new deals. Because O
hing always has been so no longer fl
,eans that 1t Is righteous, or always Ell
BALL be So More, perhaps, than ever Sc
cfore, there is widespread feeling N
rat all human relations can be i'm. in
roved by taking thought, and that II tr
not becoming for the reasoning AMI Gu
al to leave his destiny largely t. in
lance and natural incidence. nj
Prudent and orderly adjustment @, on
'oductlon and distribution in accord an
Ice with consumption is recognized co
wise management in every business
It that of farming Yet, 1 venture mr.
say, there is no other Industry In ye
lich 1t Is so important to the pub. bu
TO the city-dweller-that produc. Ike
IN should be sure, steady, and in. ag
easing, and that distribution shoul,; tb,
in proportion to the need. The ur. TIN
sanized farmers naturally act blind as
and impulsively and in conse. gre
erce, surfeit and dearth, accompa 10
I'd by dlsconcerting price-veriatiors Gle
rass the consumer. One year pota of
IS rot in the fields because of excess I
and there is a scarcity of ket
things that have been displaced yes
make way for the expansion of the fins
alto acreage; next year the punish. sea
farmers mass their fields on some sta