The Owosso times., 1922-01-20

Even the dairy farmers, whose out
put Is not seasonal, complain that they
find themselves at a disadvantage II
the marketing of their productions
especially raw milk, because Of thu
high costs of distribution, which they
must ultimately bear.
iii
Now that the farmers are stirring
thinking. and uniting as never before
to eradicate these inequalities, they
are subjected to stern economic lee
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 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 q special
prlvilege.-though think 1t was so In
appearance rather than in fact,-we
and that the courts have nullified II
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.
ton? II 1t be proper for men to form,
by fusion Of existing corporations or
otherwise, a corporation that controls
the entire production Of a commodity.
or q large part Of 1t, why Is 1t not
proper for a group of farmers to unite
for the marketing of their common
products, either In one or In several
selling agencies? Why should It be
right for a hundred thousand corporate
shareholders to direct 25 or 80 or 40
per cent Of an industry. and wrong for
hundred thousand cooperative
farmers to control no larger proper
tion Of the wheat crop. or cotton, or
any other product7
The Department Of Agriculture is
often spoken Of as a special concession
to the farmers, but In its commercial
results, It Is Of as much benefit to the
buyers and consumers Of agricultural
products as to the producers, or even
more. 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.
tees, 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.
1t is complained that, whereas the
law restricts Federal Reserve banks
to three months time for commercial
paper, the farmer Is allowed six
on his notes. This Is not a
special privilege, but merely such
recognition Of business conditions as
makes it possible for country banks
to do business with country people
The crop farmer has only one turn
over a year, while the merchant and
have many. Incidental
ly, 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 busi-
ness.
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
to as an instance Of special govern
ment favor for farmers. Are they not
rather the outcome Of laudable efforts
10 equallze rural and urban condi-
tons? And about all the government
does there Is to help set up an ad-
organization and lend
little credit at the start. Eventually
the farmers will provide all the capI-
tai and carry all the liabilities them.
selves. 1t Is true that Farm Loan
bonds are tax exempt; but so are
ponds Of municipal light and traction
plants. and new housing Is to be ex-
smpt from taxation, In New York, for
.en years.
On the other hand, the farmer reads
If plans for municipal housing prof.
,cts that run into the billions, of hun.
lreds of millions annually spent on
he merchant marine; he reads that
he railways are being favored with
increased rates and virtual guarantees
If earnings by the government, with
he result to him of an increased toll
IN all that he sells and all that he
,uys. He hears of many manifesto
ions Of governmental concern for par
ieular industries and interests. Res
'uing the railways from insolvency Is
for the benefit Of the
as a whole, but what can be
II more general benefit than encour-
lgement Of ample production Of the
principal necessarles Of life and their
wen flow from contented producers to
atisfied consumers?
While Il may be conceded that
pecial governmental aid may be nec-
ssary In the general interest, we must
Ill agree that II is difficult to see why |
griculture and the production and dis
Of farm products are not ac-
orded the same opportunities that are
provided for other businesses espe-
daily as the enjoyment by the farmer
4 such opportunities would appear to
'e even more csntributsry to the gen