The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-01-24

The whole rural world is In a fer
ment Of unrest, and there is an in
paraileled volume and intensity Of de-
termined, Ii not angry. protest. and an
ominous swarming of oecupational con-
ferences. interest groupings, political
movements and propaganda, Such
turmoil cannot but arrest our atten-
ton Indeed, II demands our careful
study and examination. It Is not like
ly that six million aloof and ruggedly
Independent men have come together
and banded themselves into active
unions, societies, farm bureaus. and so
forth, for no sufficient cause
Investigation of the subject conclu-
sively proves that. while there is much
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
tfenal annual wealth production and
is the means of livelihood of about 40
per cent of the population, ii 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 will aim at large
degree of national self-sufficiency and
self-containment. 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, IL we do not see to il 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 Inn
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.
The war showed eonvincingly how
dependent the nation is on the full
| productivity of the farms Despite
herculean efforts, agricultural produc-
| ton kept only a 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 81
| cheap fertile land, additional aerea &c
and increased yields can come only
from costly effort. This we need moi
| expect from an impoverished or un
happy rural population.
| tt will not do to take a narrow view
| of the rural discomfort. or to appraise
| il from the standpoint of yesterday
| This is peculiarly an age of tiux and
change and new deals Because q
| thing always has been so no longer
| means that II 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 II
is not becoming for the reasoning ami
NAL to leave his destiny largely Il
| 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, | venture
TO say, there is NO other industry In
which il Is so important to the pub
| lic-to the city-dweller--tha produe
| tion should be sure. steady. and IN
ereasing, and that distribution shoulf
| be in proportion to the need The nm
organized farmers naturally act blind
Iy and impulsiyely and. in conse
duence, surfeit and dearth. aecompss
MED by disconcerting REPRESENTATIONS
harass the consumer One year pota
toes rot in the fields because IF excess
production. and there is a scarcity o
The things that have been displaee'
10 make way for the expansion of III
potato acreage next year the punish
ed farmers mass their fields on som
ether crop. and potatoes enter th
lass of Injuries and So On
Agriculture is the greatest and fur
itmentaIIy the most Important Of GA
American industries The cities ar
| f,ut fire branches of the tree OF IA
rionaI life. the roots of which go deeI
y into the land We all flourish 0
decline With the farmer. So when y
Il the cities read ~ the present an
rersal distress of fhe farmers. Of
] slump Of six billion dollars 81 the earT
ralue Of their crops IN single yaal
: Of their inability to meet mortgages o
to pay current bills, and how, seekin
relief from their ills. they are pIaI