News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1922-02-08

u
ship to carry through sound plans; but
hat possibility does not Justify the
obstruction Of their upward efforts.
We, as city people. see in high and
specuIatively Manipulated prices
spoilage, waste, scarcity, the results
of defective distribution Of farm prod
ucts. Should it not occur to us that
we have a common interest with the
farmer in his attempts to attain de-
gree of efficiency in distribution cor
responding to his efficiency in produc-
tlOnE DO not the recent fluctuations
IN the May wheat option, apparently
unrelated to normal ineeraction of
supply and demand offer a timely
proof of the need Of some such stabil-
izlng agency as the grain growers have
in contemplation?
1t is contended that, if their pro-
posed organizations be perfected and
operated, the farmers will have in
their hands an instrument that will be
capable Of dangerous abuse. We are
told that 1t will be possible to pervert
1t to arbitrary and oppressive price
fixing from its legitimate use of order
ing and stabilizing the flow of farm
products to the market, to the mutual
benefit of producer and consumer.
have no apprehensions on this point.
In the first place, loose organiza-
ton, such as any union of farmers
must be at best, cannot be so arbi-
trarily and promptly controlled as
great corporation. The one is a lum-
bering democracy and the other an agile
autocracy. In the second place, with
all possible power Of org ,nization, the
farmers cannot succeed to any great
extent, or for any considerable length
of time, In fixing prices. The great
law Of supply and demand works in
various and surprising ways, to the
undoing of the best laid plans that
attempt to foil 1t. In the third place,
their power will avail the farmers
nothing If it be abused. In our time
and country power is of value to it's
possessor only so long as it is not
abused. 1t is fair to say that / have
seen no signs in responsible quarters
Of a disposition to dictate prices.
There seems, on the contrary, to be Il
beneficial purpose to realize
a stability that will Civ an orderly
and abundant flow Of farm products
to the consumer and ensure reasonable
and dependable returns to the pro
ducer
In view of the supreme Importance
to the national well-being Of pros
porous and contented agricultural pop
llatiOn. we should be prepared to go |
4 long way in assisting the farmers to |
get an equitable share of the wealth |
hey produce, through the Inaugural |
ion of reforms that will procure a |
continuous and increasing stream of |
arm products. They are far from get
ing a fair share now. Considering |
lis capital and the long hours Of labor |
,ut in by the average farmer and his
amily. he is remunerated less than |
ny other occupatiOnal class, with the |
possible exception of teachers. reli-
ious and lay. Though we know that
he present general distress Of the
armers is exceptional and is linked
With the Inevitable economic readiust-
lent following the war, it must be
that, although represent
~ one-third Of the Industrial product
nd half the total population of the
alton, the rural communities ordi-
arily enjoy but a fifth to "A quarter. of
he net annual national gain. Notwith-
landing the taste of prosperity that
he farmers had during the war, there
today a lower standard of living |
mong the cotton farmers Of the South
ian in any other pursuit in the country.
In conclusion, it seems tome that the
lrmers are chiefly striving for gen.
rally beneficial integr5rfinu Of their
of the same Kind md charac-
r that other business enjoys. If ii
lould be found on examination that |
lie attainment Of this end requires
ethods different from those which |
her activities have followed for the
Ime purpose should we not sympa-
etically consider Tire pea for the
ght to cooperate. 10 en- from our
vn enlightened self ii '-"St. In OBJ
lining an abundant and ~.,aly flow Of
rm products?
In examining the a.s~''.''''1ral situa
IN with view L. rs i'provement,
3 shall be most h,iftf we main
in a detached and i-'' Hr viewpoint.
that exi~, Y.vr0ngs may
chiefly an accideIi co. unsymmetri-
economic growth instead If "a crea-
N Of malevolent deSi-n rud conspira-
We Americans are nrHne. as Pro
ssor David Friday v.l says in his !
mirable book, profits. Wages and
ices" TO seek a "criuinal intent he {
I'd every difficult and undesirable eco {
mic situation" 1 can positively as !
Il from my contact with men Of I
'ge affairs, including bankers. that. \
a whole. they are endeavoring To
FIJI as they see them the obligations /
It go with their power. Preoccupied ! (
IN the grave problems and heavy ! I
ks Of their own Immediate affairs. ! {
..- 49, v,,f 4rrrr.F fhnfr ia .rr.-..--..f = .