Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-02-01
Some Aspects of the
Farmers Problems
By BERNARD M BARUCH
(Reprinted from Atlantic Monthly
(Reprinted from Atlantic Monthly

ting a fair share now. Considering,
his capital and the long hours Of labor
put II by the average farmer and his
family, he is remunerated less than
any other occupational class, with the
possible exception of teachers, reli-
gious and lay. Though we know that
the present general distress Of the
farmers is exceptional and Is linked
With the inevitable economic readjust-
ment following the war, 1t must be
remembered that, although represent
ing one-third Of the industrial product
and half the total population of the
nation, the rural communities 0rdt-
narily enjoy but fifth to quarter Of
the net annual national gain. Notwith-
standing the taste Of prosperity that
the farmers had during the war, there
Is today q lower standard Of living
among the cotton farmers Of the South
than in any other pursuit in the country.
In conclusion, 1t seems to me that tho
farmers are chiefly striving for gen.
orally beneficial Indignation Of their
business, Of the same kind and charac-
ter that other business enjoys. If 1t
the attainment Of this end requires
methods different from those which
other activities have followed for the
same purpose should we not sympa-
thetically consider the plea for the
right to cooperate, liz only from our
own enlightened self interest, In OBJ
tanning an abundant and steady flow Of
farm products?
In examining the agricultural situa-
ton with a view to its Improvement,
we shall be most helpful If we main
tain a detached and judicial viewpoint,
remembering that existing wrongs may
be chiefly an accident Of unsymmetri-
cal economic growth instead OF crea-
ton Of malevolent design and conspira-
cy. We Americans are prone, as Pro-
lessor David Friday well says in his
admirable book, profits, Wages and
Prices" to seek criminal intent be-
hind every difficult and undesirable eco
nomic situation" l can positively as
sert from my contact with men OF
large affairs, including bankers, that,
as whole, they are endeavoring to
fulfill as they see them the obligations
that 60 with their power. Preoccupied
with the grave problems and heavy
tasks of their own Immediate affairs,
they have not turned their thoughtful
personal attention or their construc-
tive abilities to the deficiencies Of agri-
cultural business organization. Agrl-
culture. it may be said, suffers from
their preoccupation and neglect rather
than from any purposeful exploitation
by them. They ought now to begin to
respond to the farmers difficulties,
which they must realize are their own.
On the other hand, my contacts with
the farmers have filled me with respect
for them-for their sanity, their pa
thence. their balance. Within the last
wear .and particularly at meeting
called by the Kansas State Board Of
Agriculture and at another called by
the Committee of Seventeen, I have
met many Of the leaders of the new
farm movement, and I testify in all
sincerity that they are endeavoring to
deal with their problems, not as pro-
moters Of narrow class interest, not
as exploiters Of the hapless consumer,
not as merciless monopOllsts, but as
honest ment bent On the Improvement
of the common veal
We can and must meet such men
and such cause half way Their
business Is our business-the nations
business.