The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-03-09


thinking, and uniting as never before
20 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
Clayton Antitrust Act. which pur-
ported to permit them to combine with
Immunity, under certain conditions.
Admitting that. nominally. this ex-
emptlon was In the nature Of special
privilege. Though think II was 30 In
appearance rather than In fact,--we
find that the courts have nullined II
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.
tionf II 1t be proper for men to form.
by fusion OF existing corporations or
otherwise, corporation that controls
the entire production OF a commodity,
or a large part OF II, why is II not
proper for group Of farmers to unite
for the marketing Of their common
products, either In one or In several
selling agenciesf Why should II be
right for hundred thousand corporate
shareholders to direct 20 or 80 or 40
per cent Of an industry, and wrong for
hundred thousand cooperative
farmers TO control no larger proper
ton Of the wheat crop, or cotton, "
any other productf
The Department Of Agriculture IL
often spoken Of as a special concession
20 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. 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 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 devislng practical meas
ures for the elimination or control OF
dangerous and destructive animal and
plant diseases, insect pests. and the
like All these things manlfestly tend
TO nllmulate and enlarge production,
and their general beneficial effects are
obvious.
It Is complained that. whereas the
law restricts Federal Reserve banks
10 three months time for commercial
paper. the farmer II allowed six
months on his notes. This Ia not a
special privilege. but merely such Z
recognition Of business conditions IA
makes II possible for country banks
10 do business with country people
The crop farmer has only one turn
over a year, while the merchant and
manufacturer have many. Incidental
". / note that the Federal Reserve
Board has just authorized the Fed
eral Reserve banks to discount export
paper for q period Of six months. e
conform to the nature Of the bua'
ness.
The Farm Loan banks are pointed
TO as an instance OF special govern
ment favor for farmers. Are they moi
rather the outcome OF laudable efforts
TO equallEe rural and urban condi
tionsi And about all the government
does there H. 70 help set up an ad
illustrative organisation and lend q
little credit az the start. Eventually
the farmers viii provide all the CAPT
tai and carry all the liabilities them
selves. Il Il true that Farm Loan
bonds are tar exempt; but so are
bonds OF municipal light and traction
planfa. and new housing IL 10 be ex
empt from taxation, In New York. FOL
ten yeara.
ON the other hand. the farmer readi
OF plans for municipal housing proj
ects that run into the billions. OF hun
dreds Of millions annually spent OF
the merchant marine; he reads thai
the railways are being favored with
increased rates and virtual guarantees
OF earnings by the government, with
the result TO him OF an Increased toll
on all that he sells and all that he
buys. He hears OF many manifesto
tions Of governmental concern for par
ticular Industries and interests. Res
eulng the railways from insolvency Il
undoubtedly for the benefit OF th'
country as a whole. but what can b.
Of more general benent than encour
agement OF ample production OF thu
principal necessarles Of life and theil
even dow from contented producers I,
satisfied conAumersI
While II may be conceded tina
special governmental aid may be nee
essary in the general interest. we mus
all agree that II Ia difilcult to see VIII!
agriculture and the production and dis
tribution OF farm products are not &C
corded the same opportunities that an
provided for other businesses ospe
cially as tho enjoyment by the farmer
Of such opportunities would appear L
be even more contributoFy to the gen
eral good than in the case OF other
Industries. The spirit Of American
democracy - unalterably opposed.
altka IA anaefed anacial urivIlaga and