Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1922-04-06

larger problem is made harder now
because our agriculture is in very bad
shape, much worse than is fully real
lied, especially here in the East. There
seen1s to be a tendency to regard the
complaints and appeals which are be
/ ing voiced by the farmers and the
people who speak in their behalf as
simply the recurrence of grumblings
which have been heard from farmers
in past periods of depression. Now
the truth is that we are passing
through the most severe agricultur-
al depression we have ever experien-
ced. 1t is not simply a case of low
prices for farm products. We have
seen lower prices in times past. The
| trouble now is that whereas prices of
| farm products, speaking generally,
are lower than before the war. prices
of everything the farmer must paw
for, including transportation, wages,
taxes and the loan of money, remain
near the war levels. Hence, the pur-
chasing power of the major farm
crops is lower than at any previous
time in our history.
A Great Task
Our first task is to bring agricul-
ture through this critical period with
the least possible damage. Senators
and Congressman from the surplus
producing States appreciate the gray
ity OF the situation as, indeed, do
hundreds of thousands of business
men who have dealings with farmers
directly or indirectly. It is quite nat
Iural, therefore, that there should be
consideration Of legislative measures
which might afford relief. AS is al
ways the case in periods Of financial
depression well-meaning people whose
understanding Of economic forces is
not all that might be hoped for, come
forward with i'll considered plans.
Such have had scant consideration.
Efforts at relief by Congressional ac
ton have been directed along three
general lines; first, improved credit
facilities, second permissive legisla-
ton which will encourage the farmer
himself to improve methods of mar
keting farm products; third, assur-
ance Of free, open and competitive
markets for crops and live stock
through the exercise of reasonable
government supervision over market
agencies.
That anyone should be disposed to
regard such legislation as Of the ma
ture Of class legislation intended to
or having the effect Of beneftting one
group at the expense Of other groups
IS surprising. It is not in any sense
class legislation. It's primary pur-
pose is to maintain agricultural pro-
duction so that the people may be fed
We have come to the time when
team work is needed, yes, imperative.
There must be sympathy, understand
ing and cooperation between agri-
culture and business. They are de-
pendent upon one another. They are
alike necessary to a we'll rounded ma
tional life. They must work togeth-
er for the good of ALL
TO Reduce Costs
The paradox Of our present large
food surplus Notwithstanding. we are
fast ceasing to become a food export
ing nation. The startling rapiditv of
our industrial growth points to the
approaching need of a materially in
creasing production. Enlarged pro-
ductlon may be brought about in two
ways. There are still large areas of
land which may be brought under
the plow-not easily or cheaply. but
as need may require and prices Just
lily. And larger yields may be had
from the lands already under cul-
tlvation by the practice of more inten-
slve methods. In either case the con-
sumner cannot hope to. buy food as
cheaply in the future as in the past,
unless there he large reductions in
the costs of production of that food.
and when | say costs of production I
mean also costs of marketing. for
production and marketing are insep-
arabic. In its own interests. there
fore, and for it's own benefit the con-
Stunning public must aid in making
available to the farmer every facil.
lty and business device which NAV
help him IN reducing production costs.
Some Suggestions
IN the administration of our credit
machinery, whether by government
agencies or otherwise, the effect on
agriculture must be given more con-
slderation than in the past.
Credit for productive and improve
ment purposes must be made avail
able to the farmer on terms which
the seasonal character Of agricultur-
al production makes necessary.
Improvement in marketing methods
through the organization of co-opera-
tive associations should be nermittod
and encouraged.
Farm products should be TRANSPORT
ed at the lowest possible costs con-
slstent with the maintenance and sat-
lSfact0rV Onprati0n of +bo +,1