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

Now that the farmers are stirring
thinking. and uniting as never before
10 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 tie 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
! privilege, Though I think it was so In
| appearance rather than in fact,-we
find that the courts have nullifed 1t
by judicial Interpretation Why should
not the farmers be permitted to ac-
complish by cooperative methods what
other businesses are already doing by
cooperation in the form of incOrpora-
ton? If it be proper for men to form,
by fusion Of existing corporations or
otherwise, a corporation that controls
or a large part OF it. why is it not
proper for group of farmers to unite
for the marketing of their common
products, either in one or in several
selling agencies? Why should 1t be
right for hundred thousand corporate
shareholders to direct % or 80 or 40
per cent of an industry, and wrong for
hundred thousand cooperative
farmers to control no larger proper
ton of the wheat crop, or cotton, or
any other product?
The Department of Agriculture is |
often spoken of as special concession |
to the farmers, but in its commercial |
results, 1t is of as much benefit to the
buyers and consumers CT agricultural
products as to the producers, or even
more. l 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
aw restricts Federal Reserve banks
% three months time for commercial
PAPER, the farmer is allowed six
months on his notes This is not a | :
pecial privilege, but merely such a
ecognition of business conditions as !
makes it possible for country banks
o do business with country people
he crop farmer has only one turn
yer year. while the merchant and
manufacturer have many Incidental
', / note that the Federal Reserve
oard has just authorized the Fed
raj Reserve banks to discount export 4
aper for a period of six months. to
inform to the nature of the bust
ess.
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
as an instance of special govern
ent favor for far-ners. Are they not
Their the outcome of laudable efforts
equaize rural and urban condi-
ms? And about all the government
les there Is to help set up an adj -
illustrative organization and lend n NC
tie credit at the start. Eventually I'd
e farmers will provide all the capt. eli
and carry all the liabilities them on
YES. 1t Is true that Farm Loar We
nds are tax exempt; but so are DE
nds of municipal light and traction ont
lnts, and new housing Is to be ex-
pit from taxation, in New York. for Al.
years g..
IN tile other hahti, the farmer reads
plans for municipal housing prof Y
That run into the billions. of hun let
lis of millions annually spent on you
merchant marine; he reads that YER
railways are being favored with you
'eased rates and virtual guarantees kno
earnings by the government. with Cor
result To him If an Increased foil war
all mat he sei:s and all that no and
:. He hears of many manifesto.
OF governmental concern for mar. *.
lar Industries and interests Res. wisl
z the railways from Insolvency is the
'ubtedly for the benefit Of the