The Hope pioneer., 1922-03-09

To take a tolerant ana sympathetic
view. Of the farmers strivings for bet
ter things Is not to give blanket
endorsement to any specific plan and
still less to applaud the vagaries of
some Of their leaders and groups.
Neither should we, on the other hand,
allow the froth Of bitter agitation,
false economics, and mistaken radical
ism to conceal the facts of the farm
ers' disadvantages, and the practicable
ity of eliminating them by well-con-
sidered measures. 1t may be that the
farmers will not show the business
sagacity and develop the wise leader
ship to carry through sound plans; but
that possibility does not justify the
obstruction Of their upward efforts.
We, as city people, see in high and
speculatively manipulated prices,
spoilage, waste, scarcity, the results
Of defective distribution of farm prod
ucts. Should 1t not occur to us that
we have a common interest with the
farmer In his attempts to attain a de-
gree of efficiency in distribution cor
responding to his efficiency in produc-
tion? Do not the recent fluctuations
In the May wheat option, apparently
unrelated to normal interaction Of
supply and demand, offer a timely
proof Of the need of some such stabil-
izlng agency as the grain growers have
In contemplation?
1t Is contended that, If their pro-
posed organizations be perfected and
operated, the farmers will have in
their hands an instrument that will be
capable Of dangerous abuse. We are
told that 1t will be possible to pervert
1t to arbitrary and oppressive price
fixing from its legitimate use Of order
ing-and stabilizlng the flow Of farm
products to the market, to the mutual
benefit Of producer and consumer. I
have no apprehensions on this point.
In the first place, a loose organiza-
ton, such as any union Of farmers
must be at best, cannot be so arbi-
trarily and promptly controlled as a
great corporation. The one Is lum-
bering democracy and the other an agile
| autocracy. In the second place, with
all possible power Of org :nization, the
farmers cannot succeed to any great
extent, or for any considerable length
| Of time, In fixing prices. The great
law Of supply and demand works in
various and surprising ways, to the
undoing of the best laid plans that
attempt to foil it. In the third place,
their power will avail the farmers
nothing If it be abused. In our time
and country power Is Of value to its
possessor only so long as it Is not
abused. 1t is fair to say that I have
seen no signs in responsible quarters
Of a disposition to dictate prices.
There seems, on the contrary, to be a
commonly beneficial purpose to realize
stability that will Civ, an orderly
and abundant flow Of farm products
to the consumer and ensure reasonable
and dependable returns to the pro.
| ducer.
In view Of the supreme Importance
to the national well-being Of pros.
| porous and contented agricultural pop.
ulation, we should be prepared to 60
long way in assisting the farmers to
get an equitable share Of the wealth
they produce, through the inaugura.
tion Of reforms that will procure q
continuous and increasing stream OF
farm products. They are far from get
ting fair share now. Considering
his capital and the long hours of labor
put in by the average farmer and his
family, he is remunerated less than
any other occupational class, with the
possible exception Of teachers, reli
gious and lay. Though we know that
the present general distress Of the
farmers Is exceptional and Is linked
with the inevitable economic readjust
ment following the war, 1t must be
remembered that, although represent
Ing one-third Of the Industrial product
and half the total population Of the
nation. the rural communities ordi
nar1ly enjoy but fifth to a quarter o.