The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1922-01-19

uClS. SuOuiu II not OCCUR 10 US lnal
We have a common interest with the
farmer In his attempts to attain de-
gree Of efficiency in distribution cor
responding to his efficiency in produc-
ton? Do not the recent fluctuations
in the May wheat option. apparently
unrelated 10 normal interactiOn of
supply and demand, offer Il timely
proof Of the need OF some such stabil-
lzing agency as the grain growers have
I'm contemplation?
It is contended that, If their pro-
posed organizations be perfected and
operated. the farmers will have in
their hands an Instrument that will be
capable OF dangerous abuse. We are
told that 1t will be possible to pervert
1t to arbitrary and oppressive price
liking from Its legitimate use OF order
ing and stablllzing the fOw Of farm
products to the market, to the mutual
benefit Of producer and consumer.
have no apprehensiOns on this point.
In the first place, a loose Organiza-
tlOn, such as any union OF farmers
must be at best, cannot be so arbi-
trarlly and promptly controlled as a
great corporation. The one is a lum-
bering democracy and the other an agile
autocracy. In the second place, with
all possible power OF org ;nizatlon. the
farmers cannot succeed to any great
extent, or for any considerable length
OF time, in fixing prices. The great
law OF supply and demand works IN
various and surprising ways. TO the
undOing OF the best laid plans that
attempt to foil IT. In the third place,
their power Will avail the farmers
nothing II Ii be abused. In our time
and country power is Of value to Its
pOsSesSOr only so long as II IS not
abused. 1t is fair TO say that l have
seen no signs in responsible QuArTers
OF a disposition to dictate prices
There seems, on the contrary, TO be n
commonly beneficial purpose to realize
a stability that will give an orderly
and abundant flow of farm products
TO the consumer and ensure reasonable
and dependable returns to the pro
Queer.
In view Of the supreme Importance
to the national well-being OF a pros
porous and cOntented agricultural pop.
ulatiOn, we should be prepared to go
long way in assisting the farmers I,
get an equitable share of the wealth
they produce, through the Inaugural
ton OF reforms that will procure 3
continuous and increasing stream of
farm products. They are far from get
ting a fair share now Considering
his capital and the long hours of labor
pat In by the average farmer and his
family he Is remunerated less han
any other occupatiOnal class, with the
possible exception OF teachers, reli-
giOus and lay. Though We know that
the present general distress OF the
farmers Is exceptional and is linked
with the Inevitable economic read Just
ment following the war, ii must be
remembered that, although represent
ing one-third of the industrial product
and half the total population OF the
nation, the rural communities Ordi-
narlly enjoy but a fifth to g quarter OF
the net annual national gain. NOtWith-
standing the taste OF prosperity that
the farmers had during the war, there
ls today a lower standard OF living
among the cotton farmers OF the South
than In any other pursuit In the country.
In conclusion, It seems to me that the
farmers are chiefly striving for 4 gen
orally beneficial indignation OF their
business. Of the same kind and charac-
ter thar other business enjoys. If Il
should be found on examination that
the attainment Of this end requires
methods different from those which
other activities have followed for the
same purpose should We not sympA-
thetically consider the plea for the
right to cooperate, If only from our
own enlightened self interest, In OBJ
tanning an abundant and steady now OF
farm products?
In examining the agricultural situa
ton with a view to its improvement,
we shall be most helpful If we main
tain a detached and judicial viewpoint.
remembering that existing wrongs may
| be chiefly an accident Of unsymmetri-
! cal economic growth instead Of a crea-
! ton OF maleVolent design and conspira-
/ cy. We Americans are prone, as Pro
| lessor David Friday well says in his
admirable book, PROFITS, Wages and
! Prices" TO seek criminal intent be-
hind every dinicult and undesirable eco
/ nomic situation" I can positively as
! sert from my contact with men Of
large affairs, including bankers, that
as a whole, they are endeavOring to
fulfill as they see them the obligations
! that 20 with their power. PreOccupled
with the grave problems and heavy
| tasks Of their own Immediate Affairs
they have not turned their thoughtful
| personal attention or their cOnStruc
/ tive abilities to the deficiencies OF agri
cultural business organization. Agri
culture, It may be said, suffers from
! their preoccupatiOn and neglect rather
than from any purpoSsful exploitation
! by them. They ought now TO begin e
respond to the farmers dlmculties
which they must realize are their own
~ nj q