Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1922-01-19


The whole rural world Is in a fer
ment of unrest, and there Is an I'M
paralleled volume and Intensity ef de-
termined, if not angry, protest, and an
ominous swarming Of oceupational con-
ferences, interest groupings, political
movements and propaganda. Such
turmoil cannot but arrest our atten-
ton. Indeed, 1t demands our careful
study and examination. 1t is not like
ly that six million aloof and ruggedly
independent men have come together
and banded themselves into active
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 is 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, a wise
POLITICAL economy will aim at a large
degree of national self-sufficiency and
self-eontainment. Rome 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 it that our
farmers are we'll 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 i'm
poverished countryside exports intelli-
gence and retains unintelligence.
Only the lower grades of mentality
and character will 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 Is to
dry up and contaminate the vital
sources of the nation.
ho cha
dependent the nation is on the full
productivity Of the farms Despite
herculean efforts, agricultural produc-
ton kept only few weeks or months
ahead Of consumption, and that only
by increasing the acreage Of certain
staple crops at the cost of reducing
that of others We ought not to for
get that lesson when we ponder on
the farmers problems. They are truly
common problems, and there should
be no attempt to deal with them as
If they were purely selfish demands
of clear-cut group, antagonistic to
the rest Of the community. Rather
should we consider agriculture in the
light OF broad national policy, just
as we consider oil, coal, steel, dye
stuffs, and SO forth, as sineWs Of ma
tional strength. Our growing popula
ton and higher standard of living
demand increasing food supplies, and
more wool, cotton, hides, and the rest.
With the disappearance of free or
cheap fertile land, additional acreage
and Increased yields can come only
from costly effort. This we need not
expect from an impoverished or un-
happy rural population.
1t will not do to take a narrow view
Of the rural discomfort. or to appraise
1t from the standpoint of yesterday.
This is peculiarly an age of fiux and
change and new deals. Because
thing always has been so no longer
means that it is righteous, Or always
shall be So More, perhaps, than ever
before, there Is a widespread feeling
that all human relations can be i'm
proved by taking thought, and that it
is not becoming for the reasoning ami
NAL to leave his destiny largely to
chance and natural incidence
Prudent and orderly adjustment Of
production and distribution in accord
ance with consumption is recognized
as wise management in every business
but that of farming. Yet, I venture
to say, there is no other industry in
which it is SO important to the pub
lic-to the city-dweller-that produc-
ton should be sure, steady, and in
creasing, and that distribution should
be in proportion to the need The un-
organized farmers naturally act blind
ly and impulsively and, in conse-
quence, surfeit and dearth, accompa-
MED by disconcertfng price-variations,
harass the consumer. One year pota-
toes rot in the fields because Of excess
production and there Is a scarcity of
the things that have been displaced
to make way for the expansion Of the
potato acreage; next year the punish
ed farmers mass their fields ON some
other crop, and potatoes enter the
class of luxuries and so on.
Agriculture is the greatest and fun
damentally the most important Of our
American industries. The cities are
but the branches of the tree of ma
tfonal life, the roots OF which 60 deep
ly into the land. We all flourish or
decline with the farmer So, when we
Of the cities read Of the present uni
yersal distress OF the farmers, OF a
slump Of six billion dollars In the farm
value Of their crops Ia a single year,