The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1922-01-20

tne AGRICULTURAL group is almost a
much al a disadvantage in dealing will
other economic groups as the iay farm
er Of the funny pages in the hands o
sleek urban confidence men. who sci
him acreage In Central Park or tn,
Chicago city hall. The leaders of III,
farmers thoroughly understand this
and they are lntelligently striving tt
integrate their industry so that 1t viii
be on an equal footing with other bust
neSseS.
AS an example of indignation, take
the steel Industry, In which the model
Is the United States Steel Corporation,
with Its iron mines. Its coal mines, Its
lake and rail transportation, It's ocean
vessels, its by-product coke ovens, its
blast furnaces, Its open hearth and
Bessemer furnaces, Its rolling mills, its
tube mills and other manufacturing
processes that are carried to the high
est degree of finished production corn
patible with the large trade 1t has
built up. All this is generally cOnced-
ed 10 be to the advantage of the CON
sumner. Nor does the steel corporation
inconsiderately dump It's products on
the market. On the contrary. II so
acts that 1t Is frequently q stabiliZing
influence, as Is often the ease with 9TH
er large organizations. 1t Is master Of
Its distribution as we'll as OF It's pro-
auction. II prices are not satisfactory
the products are held back or prOduc-
ton Is reduced or suspended. II Is not
compelled to send a years work to the
market at one time and take whatever
1t al get under such circumstances.
1t has one selling policy and Its own
export department. Neither are the
grades and qualities Of steel determin-
ed at the caprice Of the buyer, nor does
the latter hold the scales. In this sim
gle Indignation Of the steel corporation
Is represented about 40 per cent Of the
steel production Of America. The rest
ls mostly In the hands of q few large
In ordinary times the
steel corporation, by example, stabilizes
steel prices. If this Is permissible
ut Is ever desirable, because stable
and fair prices are essential TO solid
and continued prosperity why would
t be wrong for the farmers to utilize
agencies that would have SINH
ar effects on agricultural products7
like that Is what they are
lining at.
Some farmers favored by regional
and cOntiguity, such as the
itrus-fruit-raisers Of California, al
eady have found a way legally to
nerge and sell their products inte-
rally and in accordance with seasonal
nd local demand, thus improving
position and rendering the con-
inner q reliable service Of ensured
uality, certain supply, and reasonable
relatively steady prices. They
ave not found II necessary to resort
} any special privilege, or to claim
ny exempt. n under the antitrust
sgislatiOn of the state or nation. With.
ut removing local control, they have
lilt up a very efficient marketing
sency. The grain, cotton, and to-
farmers, and the producers Of
des and wool, because Of their mum.
RS and the vastness of their regions,
I'd for other reasons, have found
tegration q more difficult task;
ough there are now some thousands
farmers cooperative elevators,
areh"lses, creameries, and other en-
Of one sort and another, with
turn over Of q billion dollers a year.
ley are giving the farmers business
perienre and training, and, so far g.,
they Ga. they meet the need Of
nest we;~hing and fair grading; but
ey do not lieet the requirements Of 4
donally adjusted marketing In any ,
'ge and fundamental way. :
The next step, which will be a pat g
n for other groups, is now being Z
epared by the grain-raisers through r
!. establishment Of sales media which .
handle grain separately or COL g
as the individual farmer NAV =
ct. 1t Is this step-the plan of the >
mmittee Of Seventeen-which has q
ated so much opposition and is :,
'ught by some to be In conflict with :,
anti-trust: laws. Though there is
Y before congress q measure de- >,
ned to clear up doubt on this point, r.
graln-producers are not relying on >.
immunity from antitrust legisla- :.
/. They desire. and they are en- =,
ed, to coordinate their efforts just ~
effectively as the large business in -
ests Of the country have done. In y,
nection with the selling organiza- %
IS the United States Grain Growers -
orporated is drafting a scheme of d,
ncing instrumentalities and auxili- :,
agencies which are indispensable -.
he successful utilization Of modern ~
mess methods. -
Is essential that the farmers :.
lld proceed gradually with these ..
is, and aim to avoid the error of ~
piping the existing marketing ma -,
cry, which has been so laboriously w.,
t up by long experience, before ~,
have a tried and proved substi. 80
or supplementary mechanism. ~
Y must be careful not to become ~,
eshed In their own reforms and 49,
the perspective Of their place in ~.