The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-03-09
III

Now that the farmers are stirring
thinking, and uniting as never befOr
to eradicate these inequalities, the
are subjected to stern economic lee
lures, and are met with the accusation
that they are demanding, and are tn
recipients Of, special privileges. LIE
US see what privileges the government
has conferred on the farmers Mucl
has been made of Section 8 of tn,
Clayton Antitrust Act, which pur
ported to permit them to combine will
immunity, under certain conditions
Admitting that nominally this ex
emption was in the nature Of a specia
privilege, though | think it was so II
appearance rather than in fact,-wt
find that the courts have nullified II
| 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 incorpora-
ton? II 1t be proper for men to form,
| by fusion of existing corporations or
| otherwise, a corporation that controls
the entire production Of a commodity,
or large part of it, why is it 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 30 or 40
per cent of an industry, and wrong for
a hundred thousand cooperative
farmers to control a no larger proper
ton of the wheat crop, or cotton, or
any other product?
The Department Of Agriculture Ii
often spoken of as special concession
to the farmers, but in its commercial
results, it is of as much benefit to the
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 that it gives them in working out
improved cultural methods and prac-
tees, in developing better yielding va
rieties through breeding and selection,
mote parts Of the world and adapting
them to our climate and economic con
dition, and In devising practical meas
ures for the elimination or control OF
dangerous and destructive animal and
plant diseases, insect pests, and the
like. All these things manifestly tend
to stimulate and enlarge production,
and their general beneficial effects are |
obvious.
1t is complained that whereas the |
law restricts Federal Reserve banks
paper. the farmer is allowed six |
on his notes This is not
special privilege, but merely such
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 year, while the merchant and
have many. Incidental
w, | note that the Federal Reserve
Board has just authorized the Fed
,ral Reserve banks to discount export
paper for a period of six months, to
conform to the nature Of the bust
less
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
o as an instance of special govern
nent favor for farmers Are they not
ather the outcome of laudable efforts
o equalize rural and urban condi-
ions? And about all the government
oes there is to help set up an adj
organization and lend
title credit 1T the start. Eventually
he farmers will provide all the capt
al and carry all the liabilities them
elves. 1t is true that Farm Loan
onds are tax exempt; but SO are
onds of municipal light and traction
lants, and new housing is to be ex- :
mpt from taxation, in New York, for To-
n years. +
On the other hand, the farmer reads
plans for municipal housing prof.
It's that run into tie billions, of hun !
eds of millions annually spent on !
e merchant marine; he reads that !
e railways are being favored with !
creased rates and virtual guarantees 4
earnings by the government, with !
e result to him OF an increased toll !,
all that he sells and all that he !
Tvs. He hears of many manifesto :
ms Of governmental concern for par !,
,ular industries and interests Res
ing the railways from insolvency is !,
doubtedly for the benefit Of the =
untry as whole, but what can be :,
more general benefit than encour- !;
ement Of ample production Of the \
lncipal necessaries Of life and their /,
Ell flow from cOntented producers to ),
listed consumers? !,
While 1t may be conceded that y
acial governmental aid may be nee Il
,ary in the general interest we must 4,
agree that 1t is difficult to see why =,
riculture and the production and dis g
button Of farm products are not ac- :,
'ded the same opportunities that are :,
,vlded for other businesses; espe- !,
lily as the enjoyment by the farmer =,
such opportunities would appear to ~
even more contributory to the gen ! 70