The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1922-02-10
Some Aspects of the
Farmers Problems
BY BERNARD M BARUcH
"a
Reprnted from Atlantic Monthly
tReprinted from Atlantic Monthly,
BY BERNARD M. BARUcH

processes that are carried 10 the high
est degree Of finished production, com.
patibie with the large trade Ii has
built IN. All this Is generally cohced-s
ed 70 be to tile advantage OF the con-
sunlef. Nor does the steel corporation
inconsiderately dump its products on
the market On the contrary, 1t so
acts thar it Is frequently a stabilizing
influence, as is often the case with 9th
err large organizations. II Is master Of
its distribution as we'll as OF its pro-
duction. IL prices are not satisfactory
the products are held back or pfodiic-
tion Is reduced or suspended. 1t is not
compelled to send a years work TO the
market at one time and take whatever
1t can get under such circumstances
1t has one selling policy and its own
export department. Neither are the
grades and qualities of steel determin-
ed al the caprice of the buyer, nor does
the latter hold the scales. In this sin
gle indignation Of the steel corporation
is represented about 40 per cent OF the
steel production IF America The rest
is mostly in the hands of few large
companies. In ordinary times the
steel corporation, by example, stahilizes
all steel prices. II this is permissible
lit Is even desirable, because stable
and fair prices are essential to solid
and continued prosperity why would
II be wrong for the farmers 10 utilize
central agencies that would have SINH
lar effects on agricultural prodnctsf
Something like that Is what they are
aiming at
Some farmers favored by regional
compactness and contiguity, such as the
Observation-Disclosures Of California, al
ready have found way legally to
merge and sell their products inte-
orally and in accordance with seasonal
and local demand, thus improving
their position and rendering the con
sumner reliable service of ensured
quality, certain supply, and reasonable
and relatively steady prices. They
have not found 1t necessary to resort
to any special privilege, or to claim
any exemption under the antitrust
legislation Of the state or nation. With
| out removing local control, they have
| built up very efficient marketing
agency. The grain, cotton, and to-
bacco farmers, and the producers Of
| hides and wool, because Of their num-
beers and the yastness of their regions,
4 and for other reasons, have found
| indignation more difficult task /;
| though there are now some thousands
| of farmers cooperative elevators,
| warehouses, creameries. and other en-
terprises of one sort and another, with
| turnover of billion doIlers a year
! They are giving the farmers business
| experience and training, and, so far
as they go, they meet the need of
| honest weighing and fair grading; but
they do not meet the requirements OF
| nationally adjusted marketing in any
large and fundamental way.
4 The next step, which will be pat
tern for other groups, Is now being
| prepared by the grainraisers through
\ the establishment of sales media which
| shall handle grain separately or col.
l lectively, as the Individual farmer may
| elect. 1t is this step-the plan of the
/ Committee Of which has
created so much opposition and is
| thought by some to be in conflict with
| the antitrust laws. Though there is
| now before congress measure de
| signed TO clear up doubt on this point,
the grain-producers are not relying on
any immunity from antitrust Iegisla-
ton. They desire. and they are en-
tilted. TO coordinate their efforts Just
as effectively as the large business in
terests Of the country have done. In
connection with the selling organiza-
tions the United States Grain Growers
| Incorporated is drafting scheme OF
financing instruinentalities and auxill.
airy agencies which are indispensable
to the successful utilization of modern
business methods.
1t Is essential that tile farmers
should proceed gradually with these
plans, and aim to avoid the error OF
serappins the existing marketing ma.
chinery, which has been so laburio,is!y
built up by long experience, before
they lave a tried and proved substi.
tute or supplementary mechanism
They must be careful not TO become
enmeshed In their own reforms and
lose the perspective of their place in
the national system. They must guard
against fanatical devotion to new doe
trines, and should seek articulation
with the general economic system
rather than its reckless destruction as
It relates to them.