Judsonia weekly advance., 1922-01-12
III


 gre 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 Sectioh 6 of the Clayton Antitrust Act, which pur- ported to permit them to cepbine with immunity. under certain conditions. Admitting that, nominally, this ex- emption was in the nature of special privilege,-though I think 1t was ss In appearance rather than in fact.-we find that the courts have nullifled it by judicial interpretation. Why should not the farmers be permitted to ac- cemplish by cooperative methods what other businesses are already doing by cooperation In the form of incorpora- ton? If 1t be proper for men to form, by fusion of existing corporations or otherwise, a corporation that controls the entire production of commodity, or large part of 1t, why Is 1t not proper for 8 group of farmers to unite for the marketing of thek common products, either in one or in several selling agencies? Why should 1t be right for hundred thousand corporate per cent of an industry, and wrong for hundred thousand cooperative farmers to control a no larger propor- 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 commercial results, 1t 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 frem the educational and re- search work of the department, or the help that 1t gives them in working out improvad cultural methods and prac- titseSds tt t,Lra,9ping better yielding ya- rietie dug breeding and selection, in intreucing new varieties from re- mote para of the world and adapting them to oEr climate and economic con ditionsand In deyising practical meas Ifes 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.
 It 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 a special privilege, but merely such a recognition of business conditions as makes 1t possible for country banks to do business with country people. The crop farmer has only one turn over a year, while the merchant and manufacturer have many. Incidental ly, I 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 busi- ness.
 The Farm Loan banks are pointed to as an instance of special govern ment favor for farmers. Are they not rather the outcome of laudable efforts to euualize rural and urban condi- tions? And about all the government does there Is to help set up an ad- ministratiye organization and lend a little credit at the start Eventually the farmers will provide all the capi- tai and carry all the liabilities them i1 hut To bonds are tax exempt but so are bonds of municipal light and traction plants. and new housing Is to be ex- empt from taxation, in New York, for ten years.
 On the other hand, the farmer reads of plans for municipal housing proj- ects that run into the billions, of hun dreds of millions annually spent on the merchant marine; he reads that the railways are being favored with increased rates and virtual guaranties 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.
  cuing the railways from insolvency is undoubtedly for the benefit of the country as whole, but what can be of more general benefit than encour. agement of ample production of the principal necessaries of life and their even flow from contented producers te satisfied consumersr
 While 1t may be conceded that special governmental aid may be nee essary in the general interest, we must all agree that 1t is difficult to see why agriculture and the production and dis tribution of farm products are not ac corded the same opportunities that ar' provided for other businesses; espe ciaily as the enjoyment by the farme of such opportunities would appear t be even moro contributory to the gen