The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-01-13
III

Now that the farmers are stirring
i thinking, and uniting as never before
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 of the
ported to permit them to combine with
immunity, under certain conditions.
Admitting that, nominally, this ex-
emption was in the nature Of q special
privilege, though ! think it was so in
appearance rather than in fact,-we
find that the courts have nullified 1t
by judicial Interpretation. Why should
not the farmers be permitted to ac-
compllsh by cooperative methods what
other businesses are already doing by
cooperation In the form Of incorpora-
ton? If it 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 It. 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, and wrong for
Thousand five
farmers to control no larger proper
ton of the wheat crop, or cotton, or
any other productf
The Department Of Agriculture Is
often spoken of as a 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 1t gives them in working out
improved cultural methods and prac-
tees, 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 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
to three months time for commercial
paper, the farmer Is allowed six
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 year, while the merchant and
have many. Incidental
ly, l note that the Federal Reserve
Board has just authorized the Fed
eral Reserve banks to discount export
paper for a period Of six months, to
conform to the nature of the bust
ness.
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
to as an instance Of special govern
nent favor for farmers. Are they not
.ather the outcome Of laudable efforts
% euualize rural and urban condi-
ions? And about all the government
Ices there is to help set up an ad-
organization and lend
title credit at the start. Eventually
he farmers will provide all the capt.
al and carry all the liabilities them
selves. 1t is true that Farm Loan
ponds 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
en- years. ]
On the other hand, the farmer reads ,
f plans for municipal housing prof. :
cts that run into the billions. of hun
reds of millions annually spent on '
he merchant marine; he reads that S
he railways are being favored with !
rates and virtual guarantees I
f earnings by the government, with /;
he result TO MIN OF an uCTedSeu COll
n all that he sells and all that he
uys. He hears of many manifesto
ions of governmental concern for par I
ocular industries and interests. Res c
uing the railways from insolvency is
for the benefit of the 4
ountry as a whole, but what can be :
f more general benefit than encOur-
cement of ample production of the
necessaries of life and their T
ven flow from contented producers to o
atisfied consumers? a
While it may be conceded that h
pecial governmental aid may be nee =
ssary in the general interest, we must 4.
Il agree that it is difficult to see why
griculture and the production and dis I
-ibution of farm products are not ac- S
Drded the same opportunities that are |;
rovided for other businesses; espe- d
tally as the enjoyment by the farmer 4
{ such opportunities would appear to h
p even more contributors to the gen :