The Devils Lake world., 1922-11-08
Agriculture's Legislative
Program,
by
Hon. L. ]. Dickinson,
Congressman Of Iowa, representative
of the Agricultural Bloc in the House.

Farming must be placed on a sound
economical basis and surrounded with such
legislative safeguards as will place it on a
par with industrial occupations. This, if
you please, is the program Of the agricul-
tural bloc.
Many will ask: Why does not the farm
er limit his production7 Let me explain.
A farm in Iowa Of 100 acres, with an in
vestment Of $4,000, stocked with full
blooded hogs and cattle, is being operated
at loss; factory employing ten men,
with like investment, is likewise operated
at a loss; the factory manager orders the
machinery oiled, the material stored, and
the plant closed; but the farmer cannot
close his plant-one year Of weeds means
three years to reclaim, the sale Of his stock
means ten years to restock.
Wars After Effects.
This situation, originating in the after
effects of the War, brought upon agricul-
ture the present crisis demanding solution.
The best authorities are making careful
study Of the conditions and suggesting
remedies. Some general remedial meas
ures have beep agreed upon.
1t is fundamental that the United States
become self-feeding Nation, that we
formulate our legislation to encourage
our people to produce sufficient food for
our own consumption.
Transportation must be so revolution
lied as to permit the free exchange Of our
produce from one locality to another.
New Financial Needs,
All the financial machinery of our
Government has been formulated around
the commercial and Industrial securities
Of our country. The result of such con-
troll was in the demand for ninety-day
deaation to normalcy in the Middle West.
Had the deflation demanded in October Of
1920 been distributed over period Of
three years and been gradual instead Of
spasmodic, it seems to me certain that the
depression Of the past year would have
been greatly decreased. Out Of this
condition has come the demand for a
commodity loan of the crop production
duration.
Marketing crop Of food has been here
tofore the business Of commission men.
These men have always shown themselves
interested more in the welfare Of them
selves than in the producer. The farmer
has plowed, planted and harvested, trust
ing in the Lord for sunshine and rain, and
the Board of Trade for his market. He
trusted the Lord 50 implicitly that he for
got his own interests, and 60 the commits
sion men and the middle men, and the
warehouse man, tho grain gambler, curb
broker, forgot all about the costs OF
production to the farmer, and proceeded
to see how cheap they could buy his crop,
and how much margin they could sell for.
Constructive Legislation.
Agricultural legislation has dealt here
tofore almost entirely with the improve
ment Of the health Of our county in
purifying the food supply, and has also
had to do with the increase of the food
supply Of the Nation. All Of this leRisla-
tion has been from the viewpoint Of the
consumer, and none of it has s>had to do
with assisting in any way the margin OF
profit to the producer of such food supply.
Agricultural legislation Of the future must
take into account the welfare of those
engaged in actual food production, and
the demand for this legislation will be
persistent and convincing.
The West needs the East, and the East
needs the West. Agriculture must have
. future program. 1t can be made
advantageous to the East. We should
be self-feeding Nation. 1t is to the
interest Of all industries that agriculture
Is entitled to seat in the inner council
chamber. Our cause should be heard.
1t is not combination of few political
Office holders, it is a"National economic
program involving the food and clothing,
happiness and welfare Of our entire popu-
lation, and in which the East should CO.
operate. National legislation is only a
minor part of this program, but necessary
part.