Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1922-02-09
I v

Now, what IL the farmer askingf
without trying TO catalogue the re-
medal measures that have been sug-
gested I'm his behalf, the principal pro-
posals that bear directly on the I'm
provement of his distributing and mar
keting relations may he summarized as
foilows:-
First: storage warehouses for cot
ton, wool, and tobacco, and elevators
Tor grain. OF sufficient capacity to meet
the maximum demand on them at the
peak Of the marketing period. The
farmer thinks that either private capt.
sal must furnish these facilities, or the
state must erect and own the elevs.
tors and warehouses.
Second: weighing and grading of
agricultural products, and certifcation
thereof. 70 he done by impartial and
dlsinterested public inspectors (this 10
already accomplished to some extent
by the federal licensing Of weighers
and, graders). to eliminate underpay-
ing. Overcharging, and unfair grading,
and to facilitate the utilization Of the
stored products as the basis of credit.
Third certainty Of credit sufficient
10 enable the marketing Of products
In an orderly manner.
Fourth: the Department of Agricul-
ture should collect, tabulate, summa-
rize, and regularly and frequently pub
lish anC distribute to the farmers, full
Information from all the markets Of
the world. 30 that they shall be as well
Informed Of their selling position as
buyers now srs Of their buying posi-.
tion.
Fifth: freedom to integrate the busi-
ness OF agriculture by means OF con.
solldated selling agencies, co-ordinat-
ing and cooperating In such way as to
put the farmer on an equal footing
with the large buyers Of his products,
and with commercial relations ~ other
Industries.
When business requires specialized
talent, II has to buy II. So will the
farmers; and perhaps the best way for
them 10 get Il would be to utilize some
Of the present machinery Of the larg.
ct established agencies dealing In
farm products. OF course, II he wishes,
the farmer may 20 further and engage
In nour-milling and other manufactures
Of food products. In my opinion,
however, he would be wise to stop
short Of that. Public interest may be
opposed TO oil great integrations; but,
In justice. should they be forbidden to
the farmer and permitted to othersi
The corporate form Of association can
not now be wholly adapted to his OBJ
jects and conditions. The loosen Co
operative form seems more generally
suitable. Therefore, he wishes to be
free, II he finds II desirable and feas-
ible, TO resort to cooperation with his
fellows and neighbors without run
ming afoul Of the law. To urge that
the farmers should have the same lib
erty to consolidate and coordinate
their peculiar economic functions,
which other Industries In their fields
enjoy, II not, however. to concede that
any business Indignation should have
legislative sanction To exercise monop-
o,istie power. The American people
are a. nrmly opposed to Industrial as
to political autocracy, whether at.
tempted by rural or By urban industry.
For lack Of united effort the farmers
a q whole are still marketing their
crops By antiquated methods, or By no
methods at all, but they are surrounded
BY q business world that has been
to the last minute and II
striving for efficiency. This
Is due In large measure to
big business, TO united business, to In
business. The farmers now
seek the benefits Of such largeness, un-
Lon and intesration.
The American farmer 10 a modern Of
the modsrns In the use Of labor saving
and he has made vast
strides In recent years In scientific
tIllage and efficient farm management,
but as a business In contact with other
businesses agriculture Is a "one horse
hay In competition with high power
The American farmer IL
he greatest and most lntractable OF
While Industrial pro
iuction and all phases Of the huge CON-
nercial mechanism and Its myriad &C
have articulated and co-ordI-
mated themselves all the way from nat.
laI raw materials to retail sales. the
business If agriTuli--e has gone on IN
much the ere r'ah fr>liien ~ the hask
goods &c :liA ii~s' art q the n.ne
eenth ,.-taigst. /. j tie farmer vas