The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1922-01-27

HuUQItu llfOuSdnu Ip-olCtNli's
farmers to control no larger proper
ton OF the wheat crop, or cotton, a
any other product?
The Department of Agriculture is
often spoken OF as a special concession
to the farmers. but In its commercial
results. itiis OF as. much benefit to the
buyers aud. consunSvs of agricultural
products as to the producers, or even
more. do not Nppose that anyone
opposes the, beSetts that the farmers
derive from ste educational and re
search wsrk OF the department, or the
help that Ii TlyEs them In. working Out
improved cultural methods and prac-
tees. in developing Better yielding W
rietIes through breeding and selection,
In introducing, newi3vageties from re-
mote pars Of the ssesld and adapting
them to ohr climat@aDd economic con
dition. and IN devising practical meas
ures for the elimination or control OF
dangerous and destructive animal and
plant diseases. insect pests, and the
like. All these things manifestly tend
TO stimulate and enlarge production.
and their general beneficial effects are
obvious.
1t is complmned that, whereas the
law restricts Federal Reserve banks
to three months time for commercial
paper, the farmer is, piowed SIX
months on his notes This is not a
special privilege. but merely such a
recognition Of business conditions as
makes III possible for country banks
to do business with country people.
The crop farther has caay one turn
over a year, while the merchant ard
manufacturer have many. Incidental
Iy. note that the Federal Reserve
Board has jtst authorized the Fed
eral Reserve banks to discount export
paper for a period Of six months. to
conform to the nature of the busi-
ness. {
The Fern Loan banks are pointed
TO as an Shstance Of special govern
ment favor for farmers. Are they not
rather the outcome OF laudable efforts
10 equalize rural and urban conH-
tIons? And about all the government
does there Is To help SET UP an dd-
minlstrative~ Organization and iend a
little credit at the start. Eventually
The farmers will provide all the capi-
tal and carry all the liabilities them.
selves. 1t Is true that Farm Loan
bonds are sax exempt. but 50 are
bonds of. municipal light and traction
plants, and new housing Is to be ex-
empt from taxation. In New York. for
Ten years.
On the other hand, the farmer reads
of plans for municipal housing prof.
ects that run into the billions. Of hun
dreds Of millions anhually spent on
the merchant marine; he reads that
the railways are being favored with
increased rates and virtual guarantees
of earnings by the government, with
the result to him of an increased tOl!
on all that ne sells and ali that he
huvs He HEIRS of many manifesto.
tIons OF governmental conceru for par
ticular industries and Interests. Res
cuing the railways from Insolvency Is
undoubtedly for the benefit of the
country as a whole. but what can be
II more general benefit than encOur.
,gement of ample production Of the
principal neceSsarieS OF life 2nd their
1veI flow from cOntented producers t.
satisfied consumers
While Il may be conceded that
&,l a y.
essary in the general interest, We puSt
all agree that Ii is difficult 70 see why
agriculture and the production anl DIS
tribrtion Of farm products are not ac-
corded the same opportunities that are
provided for other businesses; espe
cially as the enjoyment by the farmer
Of such opportunities wsUid appear tC
ho o--o,, r1o-n contrihutorv 70 the gen
eral good than In the case Of other
industries. The spirit OF American
democracy Is unalterably opposed
alike To enacted special privilege and
70 the special privilege Of unequal op
9ortunity that arises automatically
from the failure 10 correct glarine
ecc nomic inequalities l. am opposed
10 the injection OF government Into
business, but do believe that IL Is ar
essential function Of democratic gov
ernment to equalize opportunity 81
far as II Is within its power TO do SO
whether by the repeal OF archaic
statutes or the enactment OF mOderI
ones. IL the antitrust laws keep tn,
farmers from endeavOring scientifically
10 integrate their industry while Othel
| Industries find a way 10 meet moderT
conditions without violating such stat
utes. then IL would seem reasonable
to find way for the farmers TO nee
them under the same conditions Th'
law should operate equally In fact. lie
! pairing the economic structure on on'
side is no injustice To the other side
which Is In good repair.
We have Travelled long way from
the old conception OF government a
nerelyh defensive and policing agency
md reSulatIye. corrective. or eQualiz
ng legislation. which apparently Is o
Z spechl nature, Is often - the mos
General beneficial consequences. Ever
The First Congress passed tariff ac
hat was ayOwedly for the protection
Z manufacturers but a protecttv
fariff always has been defended AS
means OF Sromoung the general goo'
through a particular approach; an
-he ststnte books are filed with act
FOR the benefit OF shipping. commerce
and labor.