The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1922-02-03
III

to 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 Of, special privileges, Let
us see what privileges the government
has conferred ON the farmers. Much
has been made OF Section O of the
Clayton Antitrust Act, which pur-
ported to permit them TO combine with
immunity, under certain conditions.
Admitting that, nomlnally. this ex.
emption was In the naltfre Of special
privilege, Though think II was so In
appearance rather than In fact.--we
find that the courts have nullllied 1t
by judicial Interpretation. Why should
not the farmers be permitted to ac-
complish by cooperative methods what
other businesses are already doing by
cooperation In the form Of lncorpora.
tlon? II Il be proper for men to form,
by fusion of existing corporations or
otherwise, d corporation that controls
the entire production OF commodity,
or large part of 1t, why Is 1t not
proper for group Of farmers to unite
for the marketing Of their common
products, either In one or In several
selling agencies? Why should 1t be
right for hundred thousand corporate
shareholders to direct % or 80 or 40
per cent of an industry. aud wrong for
hundred thousand cooperative
farmers to control no larger proper
ton Of the wheat crop, or cotton, or
any other product?
The Department OF Agriculture Is
often spoken Of as q special concession
to the farmers, but IN It's commercial
results, II Is OF ms much benefit to the
buyers and consumers Of agricultural
products MS TO the producers, or even
more. 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 that II gives them In working out
improved cultural methods and prac.
tees. In developing better yielding va.
rletles through breeding md selection,
In introducing new varieties from re-
mote parts OF the world and adapting
them to our climate end economic con-
dltlon. and In deyislng practical meas
ures for the elimination or control OF
dangerous and destructive animal aud
plant diseases, insect pests, and the
like. All these things manlfestlg tend
To stimulate and enlarge production,
and their general beneficial effects are
obvious.
II Is complained that. whereas the
INV restricts Federal Reserve banks
10 three months time for commercial
paper the farmer liz allowed six
months on his notes. This Is not
special privilege. but merely such a
recognition Of business conditions as
makes It possible for country banks
to do business with country people.
The crop farmer has only one turn
over n year, while the merchant and
manufactures have many. Incidental
iy, note that the Federal Reserve
Board has just authorized the Fed
erai Reserve banks To discount export
paper for period Of six months. 10
conform to the nature of the husl-
ness.
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
10 as an instance OF special govern
ment favor for farmers. Are they not
rather the outcome of laudable efforts
To equallEe rural aud urban condi-
lions? Aud about all the government
does there Is TO help set MP an ad.
mlnlstrative organization and lend a
little credit at the start. Eventually
the farmers will provide all the capl.
tai and carry MI the liabilities them.
selves. II Is true that Farm Loan
bends are Tux exempt; but so are
bonds OF municipal light and traction
nlants. and new housing Is 10 be ex-
empt from taxation. In New York. for
ten years.
ON tho other hand. the farmer reads
OF plans for municipal housing prof.
ects 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 oil that he sells and all that he
buys. He hears OF many manifesto.
tions of governmental concern for par.
tlcut0r tndhstfiSH anu iuNeIeStS. tNcS-
eulng the railways from insolvency Is
undoubtedly for the benefit of the
country as whole. but what can be
OF more general benefit than encour-
agcment OF ample production OF the
principal necessarles OF life and their
even flow from contented producers "a
satisfied consumers2
While II may be conceded thai
special governmental aid may be nee
essary In the general Interest, we mus
all agree that II Is difficult to see VIII,
agriculture and the production and dis
trlbntion OF farm products are not nc
corded the same opportunities that mr.,
provided for other businesses; espe
ciaily rs the enjoyment by the farme
OF such opportunities would appear L
be even more contributors 10 the seu
erai good than In the case OF o,he
Industries. The spirit OF America
democracy Is unalterahly opposet
ankle To enacted special privilege an
20 the special privilege Of uneaua, OF
portunity that arises automaslcalI
from the failure to correct olarlr