Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1922-01-22
Ill

Now that the farmers are stirring.
thinking and uniting as never before
Ia 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 "f. special privileges. Let
us see what privileges the government
has conferred on the farmers. Much
has been made OF Section G 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
priv!lege.-thoush I think II was So In
appearance rather than in fact.-we
find that the courts have nullified Il
by judicial Interpretation. Why should
not the farmers be permitted TO ac-
compl!Sh by cooperative methods what
other businesses are already doing by
cooperation In the form OF incorpora-
ton? II it be proper for men TO form.
~ Vi WI Pm VI
otherwise. corporation that controls
the entire production OF a commodity.
or large part Of II, why Is 1t not
proper foe group Of farmers 10 unite
for the marketing OF their common
products, either In one or in several
selling agencies? Why should 1t be
right for a hundred thousand corporate
shareholders 20 direct - or 80 or 40
per cent Of an Industry. and wrong FOR
hundred thousand cooperative
farmers 10 control no larger proper
ton Of the wheat crop, or cotton. or
any other product:
The Department OF Agriculture Is
often spoken Of as a special concession
to the farmers. but In its commercial
buyers and consumers Of 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 tnat II gives them IN WORKING our
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 10 our climate and economic con-
ditlon, and in dev!Sing practical meas
urss for the elimination or control of
dangerous and destructive animal and
plant diseases. insect pests. and the
like. Al these things manlfestIy tend
to stimulate and enlarge production.
and their general beneficial effects are
obvious.
II Is complained that. whereas the
law restricts Federal Reserve banks
TO three months time for commercial
paper. the farmer Is allowed six
months On his notes This Is not
recognition of business conditions as
ms les II possible for country banks
TO do business with country people.
The crop farmer has only one turn
over a year. while the merchant and
have many. Incidental
ly, / note that the Federal Reserve
Board has Just authorized the Fed
eraI Reserve banks TO discount export
paper for period Of six months. TO
conform TO the nature OF the bust
ness
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
to as an Instance Of special govern
ment favor for farmers. Are they not
rather the outcome Of laudable efforts
to ecualize rural and urban condi-
tons? And abou, all the government
does there Is to help set up an ad-
organization and lend
little credit at the start. Eventually
the farmers will provide all the capt.
tai and carry all the liabilities them
selves. II Is true that Farm Loan
bonds are tax exempt: but 80 are
bonds Of municipal light and traction
plants. and new housing Is to be ex-
empt from taxation. In New York. for
ten years.
On the other hand, the farmer reads
Of plans for municipal housing prof.
ecfs that run into the billions, Of hun
dreds Of millions annually spent on
the merchant marine: he reads that
the railways are being favored with
increased rates and virtual guarantees
Of earnings by the government. with
the result to him Of an Increased toll
on all that he sells and all that he
buys. He hears Of many manifesto
lions OF governmental concern for par
ticular Industries and Interests. Res
cuing the railways from Insolvency Is
for the benefit Of the
country as a whole, but what can be
~ more general benefit thas encour-
agement Of ample production Of the
necessaries Of life and their
even hOw from contented producers to
satisfied consumers?
While u may De CONCEDED that
special governmental aid may be nee
rssary In the general interest. we must
III agree that II Is dificuit TO see why
AericuIture and the production and dis
lributiOn of farm products are not &C.
corded the same opportunities that are
provided for other businesses; espe-
rialfy as the enjoyment by the farmer
II such opportunities would appear TO
- even more eontributory to the gen