The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-01-27
Ill

Now that the farmers are stirring
thinking. and uniting as never before
10 eradicate these inequalities, the,
are subjected TO stern economic lee
lures. and are met with the accusation
that they are demanding, and are the
recipients of, special privileges. Lei
us see what privileges the government
has conferred on the farmers Much
has been made of Section 6 of the
Clayton Antitrust Act, which pur
ported TO permit them to combine with
immunity, under certain conditions
Admitting that, nomnally, this ex.
emption was in the nature of a special
privilege.-though think 1t was so In
appearance rather than in fact,-we
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 il be proper for men to form.
by fusion of existing corporations or
otherwise, a corporation that controls
the entire production of commodity.
or a large part of 1t. why Is II not
proper for a group OF farmers to unite
for the marketing Of their common
products. either In one or In several
selling agenciesf Why should 1t be
right for hundred Thousand corporate
shareholders to direct 10 or 30 or 40
per cent of an industry, and wrong for
a 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 a special concession
to the farmers, but In its commercla'
results. Ii Is of as much benefit TO the
buvers and consumers of agricultural
products as 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 oui
improved cultural methods and prac-
tices. in developing better yielding va
rieties through breeding and selection
in introducing new varieties from re-
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 or
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
TO three months time for commercial
paper. the farmer is allowed six
months 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
ly. | note that the Federal Reserve
Board has just authorized the Fed
eral Reserve banks to discount export
paper for period Of six months. to
conform TO the nature OF the bust
ness.
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
70 ms an instance of special govern
ment favor for farmers. Are they not
rather the outcome Of laudable efforts
In eoualize rural and urban condi-
tons? And about all the government
does there is to help set up an ad
organization and lend a
little credit at the start. Eventually
The farmers will provide all the CAPT
tai and carry all the liabilities them
selves. II is true that Farm Loan |
bonds are tax exempt; but so are
ponds of municipal light and traction
giants and new housing is to be ex
smpt from taxation. in New York for
EN- years.
On the other hand. the farmer reads |
II plans for municipal housing prof |
,cts that run into the billions, Of hun
ireds Of millions annually spent on
he merchant marine; he reads that
he railways are being favored with /
increased rates and virtual guarantees
IF earnings by the government, with |
he result to him OF an increased toll /
IN all that he sells and all that he
,uys. He hears Of many manifesto
ions of governmental concern for par
ocular industries and interests. Res
,uing the railways from insolvency is
for the benefit Of the
country as a whole, but what can be
# more general benefit than encour
lgement OF ample production 81 the
principal necessaries of life and thei
wen flow from contented Drouucers T.
satisfied cons umers?
While 1t may be corceoea thai
pecial governmental aid may be nee
.ssary in the general interest, we musi
III agree that 1t is difficult to see why
agriculture and the production and dis
ribution of farm products are not &C
.orded the same opportunities that are
provided for other businesses; espe-
tally as the enjoyment by the farmer
Il such opportunities would appear to
'e even more contributory 10 the gen