The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-01-19
Y


To take q tolerant and sympathetic
view of the farmers strivings for bet
ter things Is not to give blanket
endorsement to any specific plan. and
still less to applaud the vasaries Of
some OF their leaders and groups.
Neither should we, on the other hand,
allow the froth Of bitter agitatiOn
false economics, and mistaken radical
ism to conceal the facts Of the farm
ers' disadvantages, and the practicable,
Itv of eliminating them by well-con,
sidered measures. 1t may be that the
farmers will not show the business
sagacity and develop the wise leader
ship to carry through sound plans; but
hat possibility does not justify the
obstruction Of their upward efforts.
We, as city people, see in nigh and ,
speculatively manipulated prices
spoilage, waste, scarcity, the results
of defective distribution Of farm prod |
ucts. Should it not occur to us that
we have a common interest with the
farmer In his attempts to attain de-
gree Of efficiency in distribution cor
responding to his efficiency in produc-
ton? Do not the recent fluctuations
In the May wheat option, apparently
unrelated to normal juteraction OF
supply and demand, offer a timely
proof Of the need Of some such stabil-
lzing agency as the grain growers have
In contemplation?
It Is c0ntendel that, If their pro-
posed organizations be perfected and
operated the farmers will have in
their hands an instrument that will be
capable Of dangerous abuse. We are
told that 1t will be possible to peryert
1t to arbitrary and oppressive price
fixing from its legitimate use of order
ing and stabilizlng the flow Of farm
products to the market, to the mutual
benefit Of producer and consumer. |
have no apprehensions on this point.
In the first place, loose organiza'
ton, such as any union of farmers
must be at best, cannot be so arbl
trarlly and promptly controlled as 8
great corporation The one is a lum
berlng democracy and the other an agile
autocracy. In the second place, will
; al possible power Of org IMITATION, tn
farmers cannot succeed to any grea
extent, or for any considerable lensu
: Of time, in fixing prices. The srea
law of supply and demand works II
: various and surprising ways, to tn
+ undoing Of the best laid plans tina
attempt to foil It, In the third place
their power will avail the farmer
Q nothing If It be abused. In our tim
8 and country power Is Of value to II
!. possessor only so long as 1t Is NJ
u abused. 1t Is fair to say that | haV
: seen no signs In responsible quarter
y Of a disposition to dictate price
e There seems, on the contrary, to be
Ut commonly beneficial purpose to realli
le stability that will Civ, an order
u and abundant flow Of farm produc
8. to the consumer and ensure reasonab
N and dependable returns to the pr
10 Queer.
d In view Of the supreme lmportan
90 to the national wellbeing Of a pre-
=. porous and contented agricultural pc
!. ulatlon, we should be prepared to
VI long way in assisting the farmers
"a ret an equitable share of the veal
he they produce, through the inaugul
"a ton Of reforms that will procure
ia continuous and increasing stream
,le farm products. They are far from g
IA ting fair share now. Consider
IA his capital and the long hours of 'at
I,e nut in by the average farmer and
nj. family, he is remunesated less IN
t., any other occupationaI class, with
ara possible exception Of teachers, RI
gious and lay. Though we know Il
"a, the present general distress OF
n. farmers Is exceptional and is llhE
a. with the inevitable economic ready
IN ment following the war, it Slust
"a. remembered that, although represe
r,,. Ing one-third of the industrial prod
inc and half the total population or
AN. nation, the rural communities o.
rod narily enjoy but fifth to quarter
Ma the net annual national gain. Not"
IA, standing the taste Of prosperity t
M the farmers had during the war, II
.im Is today lower standard Of l!V
mt among the cotton farmers OF the 81
an. than in any other pursuit In the coun
Az. In conclusion, 1t seems TO me that
|,no farmers are chiefly striving FOR
-. orally beneficial Indignation OF :
AZ business, Of the same kind and cISn
nm. ter that other business enjoys.