White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1923-02-09

soil could go on producing enough to
keep him and his family alive, while
the city people would be starving
When the city man looks at the stu
alton from this viewpoint. the prob
lem assumes a different aspect. He
begins to realize that this thing that
has been called the farmers problem
through all these years is primarily
the city mans problem.
Here, through our indifference to a
problem which we thought was en-
tirely the other fellows, we have per-
mitted a situation to develop which
affects not only our prosperity, but
which threatens our very lives, and
now we do not know what to do with
it. Some of us think that by pass
ing some long delayed laws we are
going to reach solution. Let us give
the farmer little credit and little
tariff, and little something else, and
then let him work his way out ar
best he can.
The Cities Problem.
l do not know the solution Of this
problem, but I am convinced Of two
things: First, there must be an ap
probation by the city man that this
is his problem more than 1t is the
farmers, and, second, that only by
the combined cooperative efforts Of
J the city man and the farmer can this
problem be solved.
The first step in this movement
should not be very difficult because as
II have pointed ont our utter depend
! ence upon agriculture is gradually be-
ing forced upon US. Already the city
man is beginning to appreciate the
Importance Of the agricultural indus
try, and there Is almost daily In
stances of this awakening understand
ing.
The second step will be more diff.
cult. In the first place there must be
a common understanding and agree
ment as to the causes of the agricul
tural problem. There must be a de.
termination as to whether the conGi.
lions OF which we now complain are
only temporary or whether there has
been a permanent change in social
and economic conditions, to which so.
ciety as a whole must readjust itself
1t is probably safe to say that the ma
jority Of the people living in city
and good many country people be-
lieve that we are passing through a
period of depression from which we
shall emerge for long era of general
agricultural prosperity and that con-
ditions under which we have lived in
the past will again prevail.
would like to set forth my own be-.
lief on this point as clearly as can
I believe that even If nothing Is done
conditions will improve for a time
due to general improved industrial
condition and to a,steady recovery o.
the European countries. This means
an increased purchasing power, ex
panding markets and rising prices
This will give an appearance Of gen
eral prosperity and the belief will
arise that agriculture is again on E
stable foundation. The net result will
be but to delay the general readjust.
ment necessary to place agricultur,
on a basis that will assure an ade
quate supply flowing steadily and eco
nomically to the constantly increasing
populations.
Only One Solution.
There is only one general solution,
and that Is more economical system
of distribution. The first step in this
direction is realization that food
products must be marketed in an or
DERBY manner, with some regard to
the law of supply and demand, and
not In the haphazard chaotic manner
which now prevails. am not a
farmer or marketing man, SO Lean
not go into technical details. / am
only a consumer, interested solely in
being assured an adequate supply of
food at a price l can afford to pay.
l am not endeavoring to offer a so.
luton of the problem. but merely to
demonstrate that the city man is as
vitality interested as is the farmer. In
my judgment the city man has q good
deal more at stake, and should enter
into its study in full cooperation with
the farmer
The Joint Congressional Commits
sion Of Agricultural Inquiry made the
most searching investigation into the
agricultural problem that has ever
been made, and presents some facts
and figures that compel attention.
This inquiry brought out the fact that
OF every dollar spent by the consumer
for food only 20 cents goes to the
farmer, II cents to the manufacturer
IA cents as profits to the mnnufac-
turer, wholesaler and retailer, and 40
cents to the cost Of selling and distrt-
button. The farmer tells us that un.
less he receives more than 20 cents
of every dollar he cannot remain in
business. The consumer says that If
his dollar does not buy more Of food
SMAIJER EAIv WHEAT