Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-01-19

4
world was doing. The result Is that
the agricultural group is almost as
much at disadvantage In dealing with
other economic groups as the jay farm
or OF the funny pages in the hands OF
sleek urban confidence men, who sell
him acreage In Central Park or the
Chicago city hall. The leaders Of the
farmers thoroughly understand this,
and they are intelligently striving to
lntegrate their Industry so that 1t will
be on an equal footing with other busi-
nesses.
As an example of Indignation, take
the steel industry, in which the model
IL the United States Steel Corporation,
with its iron mines, Its coal mines, Its
lake and rail transportation. its ocean
vessels, its by-product coke ovens, Its
blast furnaces, Its open hearth ana
Bessemer furnaces, Its rolling mills, Its
tube mills and other manufacturing
processes that are carried to the high
est degree Of finished production COM
patIble with the large trade 1t has
built up. All this is generally conced-
ed to be to the advantage of the con-
sumer. Nor does the steel corporation
inconsiderately dump Its products on
acts that 1t is frequently stabilizing
influence, as Is often the case With 9TH
er large organizations. 1t is master Of
Its distribution as well as Of Its pro-
duction. II prices are not satisfactory
the products are held back or produc-
ton is reduced or suspended 1t Is not
compelled to send a years work to the
market at one time and take whatever
1t can get under such circumstances.
1t has one selling policy and Its own
export department. Neither are the
grades and qualities Of steel determin-
ed at the caprice of the buyer, nor does
the latter hold the scales. In this SIN
gle indignation Of the steel corporation
Ia represented about 40 per cent Of the
steel production Of America The rest
- mostly In the hands of few large
In ordinary times the
steel corporation, by example, stabilizes
Ill steel prices. If this Is permissible
lit Is even desirable, because stable
md fair prices are essential to solid
md continued prosperity why would
I be wrong for the farmers to utilize
central agencies that would have SINH
ar effects on agricultural products?
like that Is what they are
lining at
Some farmers favored by regional
and contiguity, such as the
trus-fruit-raisers Of California, al
eady have found a way legally to
merge and sell their products inte-
rally and In accordance with seasonal |
nd local demand, thus improving
heir position and rendering the con-
umer a reliable service of ensured !
uality, certain supply, and reasonable
nd relatively steady prices. They |
ave not found 1t necessary to resort
, any special privilege, or to claim
ny exemption under the antitrust
.gislation Of the state or nation. With
ut removing local control, they have
uilt up very efficient marketing
gency. The grain, cotton, and to-
acco farmers, and the producers Of
des and wool, because of their num-
ers and the vastness of their regions,
nd for other reasons, have found
tegration a more difficult task;
Tough there are now some thousands
farmers cooperative elevators,
arehouses, creameries, and other en-
rprises Of one sort and another, with
turnover of a billion dollers a year.
hey are giving the farmers business
.perience and training, and, so far
they go, they meet the need of
nest weighing and fair grading; but
ey do not meet the requirements of
adjusted marketing In any
rye and fundamental way.
The next step, which will be pat
IN for other groups, is now being
epared by the grain-raisers through
e establishment of sales media which ,
all handle grain separately or col
lively, as the Individual farmer may I
ct 1t is this step-the plan Of the ,
Of Seventeen-which has :
lated so much opposition and is {
ought by some to be in conflict with 2
, antitrust laws. Though there Is
W before congress a measure de- I
ned to clear up doubt on this point, .
, grain-producers are not relying on +
Y immunity from antitrust legisla- ,
n. They desire, and they are en- h
ed, to coordinate their efforts Just q
effectively as the large business In n
ests of the country have done. In .
nectlon with the selling organiza- p
1s the United States Grain Growers q
Is drafting a scheme of p
lncing instrumentalities and auxill h
agencies which are indispensable n
the successful utilization Of modern a,
mess methods. Ia
is essential that the farmers q,
uld proceed gradually with these 2,
rs, and aim to avoid the error of n
apping the existing marketing ma "
lery, which has been so laboriously "a
L up by long experience, before m
Y have a tried and proved substi- n.
or supplementary mechanism. r.,
" must be careful not to become or