The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-06-15
address Of Frank o.
LOtUden
Before the
Kansas State Farm Bureau
Feb. 8, 1922,
at Manhattan, Kansas

last weS q tryinR OHc if all. TUT the
farmer II was a perplexing year as we'll.
He has seen the prices OF his products
approach the pre-war level, and, in some
important instances, fall below Il. At the
same time ne has paid substantially double
the freight rates which he paid before the
war and from 40 to It's per cent more for
practically everything he has had TO buy.
The much-talked-of defation hit him first
and hardest Of all. He has felt therefore
that he has a genuine grievance. He
believes that the prices OF his products, as
compared with the prices of other COM
modities before the war, were fixed by the
operation OF natural economic laws ex-
tending over a long series of years.
Is it any wonder, then, when he sees
that balance rudely shattered, that he
should think something is wrong with the
distribution and marketing of his prod
ucts1 In his efforts to improve these
conditions he doubtless has made many
mistakes. That he is sound in his in
stinctive feeling, however, that the road
Of progress lies along the line Of closer
cooperation among farmers, there can be
no doubt.
Many Co-ops Formed.
Many cooperative societies for the
sale OF farm products have been and are
being formed. Some of them will doubt
less fail from lack of efficient management.
Others, too, will fail il they attempt arbi-
trarily to fix the price OF the product.
For in that case more men will rush into
the production of the particular article
and the supply will exceed the worlds
need.
Those organizations now being formed
under the direction Of the American Farm
Bureau Federation are seeking to avoid
this peril. They are based upon sound
economic principles. They recognize the
fact that over a long period Of years the
law of supply and demand fixes the price
of every commodity. They know, too,
that when the price Of wheat on Wednes-
day of one week is ten cents more a bushel
than il was on the Tuesday OF the week
before, this law of supply and demand is
freely operating on both days. And
that difference may mean the difference
between a profit or loss upon a whole
years work Of the farmer. BY orderly,
marketing, they seek to correct
this injustice.
Builded Correctly.
This great organization, the American
Farm Bureau Federation, is builded upon
a correct principle. First there was the
county farm bureau. Then in many
states came the state organization. And
so the American Farm Bureau Federation
rests upon the same principle as our
Federal Government. II thus has vitality
in all its parts. This strength is the total
strength Of all the county bureaus of the
land. Through them it is in daily o n
act with men who live and produce upon
the farm.
| think the most hopeful movement Of
modern times in agriculture is the farm
bureau. | believe the county agent is
going to help us improve agricultural con
ditions more rapidly than any other
agency we have had, and that is because
he gets the farmers to cooperate with one
another along the most practical and
successful lines. | know that is true in
my State, and | am quite sure it is equally
true here.
Not Satisfied.
have heard many people criticize the
present frame OF mind of the farmer.
His amiability and his serenity are ques-
toned. Knowing the things | have out
lined here, is Il to be wondered at2 The
is moi satisfied, and he will not be,
until the proper equilibrium is restored
as between prices which he receives for
his products and the prices Of other
commodities and services, including freight
He believes, too, that no genuine,
prosperity can come 20 other
classes and other occupations until this
balance is regained.
Perhaps | have spoken in what many
may regard as too pessimistic a strain.
That has not been my intention. The
! have described are being
remedied.
There is no reason to despair. The
world must be clothed and fed. There
relatively but little arabic land in all
the world capable of cultivation that is
not now under the pillow. Meanwhile the
increase in the worlds population goes
on. The old law Of supply and
demand, which 50 many people assert to
be the reason for low prices, will oon be
working in favor Of the farmer. Let him
but hold fast, just as he has done during
trying years, and his future is