Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-12-18
TO HELP THE FARMER
OR TO PUSH POLITICS?

"For the express purpose OF help
ing the farmer" has measure been
introduced into the senate which will
create a corporation to buy and sell
farm products. 1t is purposed to-
have this proposition backed by the
government to the amount of one
hundred million dollars.
At first glance the bill seems to
bark back to the late sos when the
populist party was the life of politics
in the middle west-at the time when
H. L. Loucks was candidate for gov
ernor of South Dakota, and was MAX
ing his campaign on the plank that
the state must advance money on the
farmers crops to four-fifths of the
market value and store the purchases
in huge warehouses erected by the
state in locations scattered through
out all sections. Possibly the details
of the bill introduced by Senator
Norris bear some of the points which
made that campaign very popular.
One of the principal reasons, how
ever, for the introduction Of the
measure at this time is the fact that
some excuse is needed for the at
tempt to sideswipe the administration
ship subsidy bill. Norris, who is an
tagonistic to the subsidy, is anxious
to cater to the agricultural interests
of the country. He realizes, as do
all who have studied the question
that the farmer must be cared for II
way that will encourage the tllllng
of the soil to that extent that agrl-
culture will assume its proper place
and there shall be general enlarge
ment in the list of those who are ac'
tual producers. Without the farmer
and his products there can be no rea
increase of values in this country
The United States can never reas
sumo normal conditions so long as
the product of foodstuffs is at the
minimum.
The lack of detail regarding the
Norris bill renders full consideration
impossible. There is, however, the
thought that there may be less o.
benefit to the farmer by the passage
of the bill than of benefit in finan
cial way to the politicians and thu
thousands who may be looking fo1
some way to attach themselves to ;
steady pay roll. The public has al
aversion to anything which hints a
benefits for a certain class and reek
with opportunities for grating upol
the part of the persistent seeker TO
appointment.
In these days when everything /
mentioned in large figures, corpo
ration with a capital of one hundre
million dollars excites but little com
ment-until some crookedness is dis
covered. 1t may be that to carry GU
the plans of rendering the assistanc
needed by the farmer such a hug
sum of money may be necessary; TO
it is known that the numbers en-
gagged on farms is steadily CROWN
less. A half dozen years like the 81
lust passed will see nearly half tn
farms in the country lying idle Will
those who were gaining a livelihoo
in that line will have sought position
where is found higher pay, followe
by a consequent increase in the cos
of living.
Congress realizes that the farme
must be succored. He must be en-
Outraged, else he will no longer pro
duce more than he may need for HI
own personal consumption. Whateve
will relieve his cramped condition tn
country will endorse; at the sam
time the thought of that consequen
tial sum devoted to the farmers, an,
handled by those who know but littl
about what are the best remedia
agencies for the depressions an'
hardships the farmer has been shoul