Phillips County herald., 1922-02-24

The whole rural world Is in fer
ment of unrest, and there is an un-
paralleled volume and intensity of de-
termlned, if not angry, protest, ana an
Uminous swarming of occupational con-
ferences, interest groupings, political
movements and propaganda. Such a
turmoil cannot but arrest our atten-
ton. Indeed, it demands our careful
study and examination. 1t is not like
ly that six million aloof and ruggedly
Independent men have come together
and banded themselves into active
unions, societies, farm bureaus, and so
forth, for no sufficient cause.
Investigation of the subject conclu-
sively proves that, while there is much
overstatement Of grievances and mis-
conception of remedies, the farmers
are right in complaining of wrongs
long endured, and right in holding that
1t is feasible to relieve their ills with
benefit to the rest of the community.
This being the case of an Industry
form alone, about One-third Of the ma
tional annual wealth production and
Is the means of livelihood of about 40
per cent of the population, 1t is OBJ
vious that the subject is one Of grave
concern. Not only do the farmers
make up one-half OF the nation, but
the well-belng OF the other half de-
pends upon them.
So long as We have nations, wise
POLITICAL economy will aim at a large
degree of national self-sufficiency and
self-containment. Rome fell when the
food supply was too far removed from
the belly. Like her, we shall destroy
our own agriculture and extend our
sources Of food distantly and precari-
Ously, IL we do not see to 1t that our
farmers are well and fairly paid for
their services. The farm gives the
nation men as well as food. Cities
derive their vitality and are forever
renewed from the country. but IN i'm
pOverished countryside exports intelll-
gence and retains unintelllgence.
Only the lower grades of mentality
and character will remain ON, or seek,
the farm. unless agriculture Is capable
~ being pursued with conientment and
adequate compensation. Hence, 10 EN-.
bitter and impoverlsh the farmer Is to
dry up and contaminate the vital
sources Of the nation.
The war showed convincingly how
dependent TIE nation Is on the full
productivity Of the farms. Despite
herculean efforts, agricultural produc-
tlOn kept only few weeks or months
ahead of consumption, and that only
by increasing the acreage of certain
staple crops nj the cost OF reducing
that Of others. We ought not to for.
get that lesson when we ponder on
the farmers problems. They are truly
common problems, and there should
be no attempt 10 deal with them MS
II they were purely selfish demands
OF clear-cut group. antagonistIc to
the rest Of the community. Rather
should we consider agriculture In the
Hight OF broad national policy, Just
as we consider oil, coal. steel, dye
stuffs, aud So forth. ne sinews OF ma
tional strength. Our growing popula.
tlon and a higher standard of living
demand increasing food supplies, and
more wool, cotton. hides, and the rest.
With the disappearance ~ free or
cheap fertile land. additional acreage
and Increased Yields can come only
from costly effort. This we need not
expect from an impoverished or un.
happy rural population.
II will not do 10 take narrow view
~ the rural discomfort. or 10 appraise
II from the standpoint of yesterday.
This Is peculiarly nm nre ~ fiux and
change and new deals. Because
thing always has been so no longer
means that II Is righteous. or always
shall he So. More. perhaps ihnn ever
before, there Is n widespread feeling
that NIL human relations cnn he I'm.
proved by taking thought. and that II
IL not becoming for the reasoning ant
nal 10 leave his destiny largely 10
cbnnce and natural incidence.
Prudent and orderly adjustment Of
production and distribution In accord.
nncc with consumption Is recognized
ns wise management Ia every business
hut that Of farming Yet. venture
10 say, there IL No oiher Industry In
which Il Is sn important to the pub.
llc--to the cliydwellcr-thnt produc.
ilon should be- sure. steady. ana In.
-reaslng. and that distribution should
be IN proportion iu The need. The an.
organized farmers naturally net blind.
ly and impulElv"ly and. IN conse.
ancncc, nprfcii md dcnrih. nceompn-
nicd by dircunrrriing prlcc.yhfiulinn~.
l,nrns~ the consumer one year pota.
,oes rot ln Tie fields because ~ excess
production. aud there " scarcity of
the things that have been dlsplnced
90 make way fnr the expansion of the
potato nrrenge; next yenr ihe punish.
od farmers nnss their fields on some
other orop. and puintoes enter the
class ~ lnsufie-; ynd eo on,
Agriculture n the greatest and fun.
,inmeninlly the most important NJ uur