Norwich bulletin., 1922-03-03
RECOGNITION OF THE FARMERS POSITION

written Specially For The Bulletin.)
We farmers who have lived for what
already seems too long a time between
the Jaws Of the nippers don't need to
be told either when they pinch. or where
they pinch. or how the pinching hurts.
We are, indeed, better fitted to give
Information on those tender points than
% receive It.
Moreover, Il Is distinctly Irritating to
have some smoothly-barbered. comfort
ably fed outsider remark superiority a.
he looks Us over that we seem to be
having an unpleasant time Of It but
Cheer up, old man; perhaps you'll be
able to squirm out sometime.
On the other hand, it is unquestion-
a5lv alternative to have a more intel
ilgent and kinder-hearted spectator own
ID that he comprehends the pains and
penalties Of our situation, and to hear
him say so. frankly and without any
Wee-waw-ing.
one OF the Oldest, most widely read
ard most helpful Of all the various f.
nancial departments IN New York city
periodicals IS the Investment Bureau"
OF Leslies Weekly. 1t has been dis
eussing financial or related economic
problems and giving advice to less we'll
informed inquirers for twenty-five years
or 50 and IS conducted by expert hands.
For which reason, among others. !
was nightly pleased with one para
Fraph II its recent discussion of bus!-
ness problems that must be solved be
fore the country can become highly
prosperous. or even make a vigorous
start towards anything like a healthy
boom, Here Is the paragraph. which
In going . ask you to read
The outlook today wouId be distinct.
" brighter were It not for the great
lack Of buyia power among the farm
ers, caused by losses due to heavy de
ciines in the market values Of their pro
duets. The agricultural regions fur
n!sh the largest demand for our man
ufzcturers, but prices Of the latter have
rot come down in proportion to those
o. wheat, corn. oats and livestock
Their profits having been wiped out 81
seriously curtailed. farmers must hav'
cheaper goods in exchange for theil
cheapened foodstuffs Until farm pro
ducts and factory products reach
fairer relation in price the tillers o
the soil will have to continue their buy
ers' strike. Manufacturers claim tina
high wages and high freight rates havt
prevented cheapening of production T.
TIE pQ4-AL necessary 10 meet LnS ldA
mers' needs. The chief problem of tn
year. therefore. Is the adequate lower
Ing OF costs OF producing, both on tn
farms and IN the manufactures"
Now this has been said before, In ef
feet. by farmers and people officlall.
associated with farm problems. AS I re
marked at the outset, we farmers DON
neec 70 be told how the pincers fee
when they begin to pinch and twist an
pull and tear. But I find, and hop
you will. also, sons satisfaction in tn
knowledge that our plight is coming t
be understood and appreciated b.
thoughtful and would-be helpful oh
servers quite outside the farm ranks.
For. 81 AL great rnisfortunes. the frs
=eed IS 70 make clear their rlagnitud
ard character; taeir causes and effects
their present meanings and their futur
po-telts n order that the world ma,
20 Weakened 70 a recognition OF tn
problem involved and a clear sense :
the imperative necessity for its solu
ton The Leslie writer, for exampi'
after sharply sccenting the situation
sarm-wise. IN the extract quoted. zoe
On TO show thar the labor expense Q
transportation. building, manutactur
Ing etc. has simply got to come dow
before the equalization Of prices charg
"a farmers with those paid to farmer
an be attained. He Gays: 80 long a
their sxpendit--=s for labor eat up E
lzrEs = snare Of their incomes the raj
roads cannot safely go far in reduciIl
sheir rates In the building industr
The same holds true. Were prices {
materials and wage rates sufficiently =,
aueed, building operations would be in
nenssly increased and almost frol
thess alone the country could be mad
prosperous" He sums up the matte
thus: 1T Is not pleasant to have to sa
This. Scarcely anybody likes to see II
pay Of wage-earners decline. But ect
nOmic necessity Is g hard stOne-wal
and It bruises the heads that Blu
against It."
There are times when people who.
heads are sore from too violent conta
With that 5tone-wall rail against It voc
'erously. and talk loudly Of "Hight
Law Nor can We deny the existen,
u that Higher Law" or its supremss
n its owr field. It is in obedience
H. and not to any economic necessi
or International courtesy, that tn
country Is today feeding two million
more Russian babies whose own go
eminent Is too corrupt, or too inromp
tent. or TOO br1tally inhuman TO- ca
Tor the Innocent victims Of it's or
crimes. II was in obedience to tn
law that Nathan Hale faced the ga
lows. and that thousands Of America
British French and Italian soldie