Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-04-04

nsnt Of unrest, and there is an IN
paralleIed volume and intensity Of de-
termined, II not angry, protest, ana an
ominous swarming Of occupational con-
ferencss, interest groupings, poiiticai
movements and propaganda. Such
turmoil cannot but arrest our atfen-
tion. Indeed, It demands our careful
study and examination. 1t Is not like
ly that six million aloof and ruggediy
Independent men have come together
and banded themselves into active
unions, societies, farm bureaus, and %
forth, for no sufficient cause.
Investigation of the subject conciu-
sively proves that, while there Is much
overstatement Of grievances and NILS
conception Of remedies, the farmers
are right In complaining of wrongs
long endured, and right In holding that
II 10 feasible to relieve their Ills with
benefit to the rest Of the community.
This being the case of an industry
that contributes, In the raw material
fern alone, about one-third Of the ma
tional annual wealth production and
u the means Of livelihood Of about 40
per cent Of the population, 1t is OBJ
visus that the subject Is one Of grave
concern Not only do the farmers
make mp onehaf Of the nation, but
tho well-being of the other half de-
ponds upon them.
pelitcial economy will aim at a large
degree Of national self-suficiency and
pelf-containment. Rome fell when the
feed supply was too far removed from
he belly. Like her, we shall destroy
eur ewn Agriculture and extend eur
sources Of food distantly and precari-
susly, II We do not see to it that our
farmers are well and fairly paid for
tAelr services The farm gives the
natien men as well as food. Cities
derive their vitality and are forever
renewed from the country, but an Inn
Psvenshed countryside exports intelli-
eenee and retains unintelligence.
Only the lower grades Of mentality
and character will remain on, or seek,
the farm, unless agriculture is capable
o< being pursued with contentment and
adequate compensation. Hence, to en-
hitter and impoverish the farmer Is to
dry up and contaminate the vital
sources Of the nation.
TAe war showed convincingly how
dependent the nation is on the full
productivity Of the farms. Despite
Aerculean effe rts, agricultural produc-
lion kept only few weeks or months
ahead OF consumption. and that only
By increasing the acreage Of certain
staple crops at the cost of reducing
that of others We ought not to for
get that lesson when we ponder on
the farmers problems They are truly
common problems, and there should
% no attempt 10 deal with them as
If they we @elfiSh demands
II clear-cut ~ ~ ap-aganistic to
he rest of the community Rather
houId we consdeY e'iculture IN the
.ight of breed national policy lust
rs we consider oil, coal, steel dye
staffs, and so forth, as sinews of ma
.ional strength. Our growing popula-
ton and higher standard of living
demand increasing food supplies, and
more wool, cotton, hides, and the rest
With the disappearance of free or
cheap fertile land, additional acreage
and increased yields can come only
t@
expect from an impoverished or I'M
happy rural population.
1t will not do to take a narrow view
Of the rural discomfort, or to appraise
II from the standpoint of yesterday.
This Ia peculiarly an age of flux and
change and new deals. Because a
thing always has been so no longer
means that 1t Is righteous, or always
shall be so. More, perhaps, than ever
before, there Is widespread feeling
that all human relations can be Inn
proved by taking thought. and that 1t
Is not becoming for the reasoning ami
NAL to leave his destiny largely to
chance and natural incidence.
Prudent and orderly adjustment Of
production and distribution in accord
ance with consumption is recognized
as wise management In every business
but that of farming Yet, l venture
to say, there Is no other industry in
which II Is so important to the pub
nc-to the city-dweller-that produc-
tisa should be sure, steady, and in
crsasing, and that distribution should
BE- In proportion to the need. The IN
organised farmers naturally act blind
ly and impulsiyely and, in conse-
Quence, surfeit and dearth accompa-
MED BY disconcerting price-variations,
harass the consumer. One year pota-
toes rot in the fields because of excess
production, and there is a scarcity of
the things that have been displaced
to make way for the expansion Of the
potato acreage; next year the punish
ed farmers mass their fields on some
othsr crop, and potatoes enter the
class Of Injuries; and so on.
Agriculture Is the greatest and fun
dameutaliy the most important Of our
American Industries. The cities are
but the branches Of the tree Of ma
tisaal life, the roots Of which 20 Deep
'iy into the land. We all flourish or
deeliAe with the farmer So, when we
Of the cities read of the present uni
versAl distress of the farmers, of q
slump Of six billion dollars in the farm
value Of their crops In a single year.
Il their inability to meet mortgages q
% pay current bills, and how, seeking
relief from their ills, they are plan
ning to form pools fnaugurate farm
erf strikes. and demand legislation
sAelisAing grain exchanges, private
cattle markets, and the like, we ought
nst hastily to brand them as economic
bsrstics and highwaymen, and hurl at
them the charge Of being seekers Of
special privilege. Rather, we should
ash IL their trouble Is not ours, and
80 what can be done to improve the
situation Purely from selfinterest,
II for NO higher motive, we should