Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1922-01-26

paralleled volume and Intensity OF 0e-
termined, IL not angry, protest, and an
ominous swarming of occupationai con-
ferences, interest groupings, political
movements and propaganda. Sucn
turmoil cannot but arrest our atten-
ton. Indeed, II demands our careful
study and examination. It Is not ike
" that six million aloof and ruggedly
independent men have come together
and banded themselves into active
unions, societies, farm bureaus ana 80
forth, for no sufficient cause.
Investigation OF the subject conclu-
sively proves that, while there Is much
overstatement Of grievances and mis-
conception OF remedies, the farmers
are right In complaining OF wrongs
long endured, and right In holding that
1t ia feasible to relieve their Ills with
benefit to the rest Of the community.
This being the case Of an industry
that contributes, in the raw material
form alone, about one-third Of the ma
tional annual wealth production and
is the means OF livelihood Of about 40
per cent OF the population, it is OBJ
vious that the subject is one OF grave
concern Not only do the farmers
make up one-half Of the nation, but
the well-being of the other half de-
ponds upon them.
So long as we have nations, wise
political economy viii aim at a large
degree Of national self-suficiency and
self-containment. Rene fell when the
food supply was too far removed from
the belly. Like her, we shall destroy
our own agriculture and extend our
sources OF food distantly and precari-
ously, If we do not see to 1t that our
farmers are well and fairly paid for
their services. The farm gives the
nation men as well as food. Cities
derive their vitality and are forever
renewed from the country. but an Inn
poverished countryside exports intelli-
gence and retains unintelligence.
Only the lower grades OF mentality
and character viii remain on, or seek,
the farm, unless agriculture Is capable
OF being pursued with contentment and
adequate compensation. Hence, to EN-
bitter and impoverish the farmer 10 to
dry up and contaminate the vital
sources Of the nation.
The war showed convincingly how
dependent the nation is on the full
productivity Of the farms. Despite
Aerculean efforts, agricultural produc
tlon Ii aly few weeks or months
ahead assumption, and that only
by lsl.l il the acreage Of certain
str 3 4, IS at the cost Of reducing
thu i ,ihers. We ought not to for
gel ttsai lesson when we ponder o.
the turner's problems. They are trul.
common problems, and there shoult
be no attempt to deal with them a
If they were purely selfish demand
Of clear-cut group, antagonistic t
the rest Of the community. Rattle
should we consider agriculture IN tn
light Of broad national policy, jus
as we consider oil, coal, steel, dye
stufrs, and 30 forth, 40 sinews Of ne
tional strength. Our growing populs
tion and a higher standard Of Twin
demand increasing food supplies, an
more wool, cotton, hides, and the res
With the disappearance Of free @
cheap fertile land. additional acreag
and increased yields can come onl
from costly effort. This we need M
expect from an impoverished or VI
happy rural population.
1t will not do to take a narrow vie
of the rural discomfort, or to apprais
Il from the standpoint Of yesterda
This Is peculiarly an age Of fiux an
change and new deals Because
thing always has been SO no Ionge
means that 1t is righteous or alwa!
shall be so. More, perhaps, than eve
before, there Ia a widespread feelir
that all human relations can be lr
proved by taking thought, and that
Is not becoming for the reasoning ar
NAL to leave his destiny largely
chance and natural Incidence.
Prudent and orderly adjustment
production and distribution In accor
ance with consumption Is recogniz,
as wise management In every busine
but that of farming. Yet, I ventu
to say, there Is no other industry
which 1t is so important to the pn
lIc-tO the city-dweller-tha produ
ton should be sure, steady, and
creasing, and that distribution shou
be in proportion to the need. The U
organized farmers naturally act blin
" and impulsively and, In cons
Quence, surfeit and dearth, accomp
MED by disconeerting priee-variatIor
harass the consumer. One year poi
toes rot In the fields because Of exec
production, and there is scarcity
the things that have been displac
to make way for the expansion Of t
potato acreage; next year the punis
ed farmers mass their fields on sor
other crop, and potatoes enter &
class Of Injuries; and SO on.
Agriculture Is the greatest and FL
damentally the most important Of 0
American Industries. The cities .
hlak the branches Of the tree of =
faenal life, che roots Of which go dee
n Inte the land. We all flourish
q.