The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-06-22

time. is the basic industry of the ma
ton. but it is the only one wholly sub
ject to the law of supply and deman,
in its unhindered operation. II is tn
only industry. as pointed u by Sec
rotary Hoover. that must plan an,
plant a year ahead and then surrende
control of its output on an unregulate.
market: and the farmer himself i
wholly to blame for this; and on tn,
theory that every man deserves wha.
he gets the farmer is sure getting
what is coming to him, and all be.
cause he stands by waiting to see
George do it,"
Farming Is the Goat.
Agriculture is the victim of other
industries in the exercise of their pow
er to modify the law Of supply and
demand, and organized labor. through
its solidarity and the threat of the
strike weapon. is almost supreme in
this respect.
The modification of the law of sup
ply and demand in its application to
the subject Of human labor is the out
standing accomplishment of organized
labor. and no man should fail to re-
joice at the result. We see things
otherwise to criticize in the actions
and tendencies Of organized labor, but
we certainly cannot regret that human
labor is no longer subject to the tyran-
ny and abuse that used to flow from
the operations of this law.
But labor must recognize that agri-
culture has reached a stage where as
a matter OF self-protection it must
utilize such means as it can command
to prevent its being made the goat"
between labor and the employing in
dustries when making their arrange
to cover a Living wage" or a
Saving wage" so-called.
They must keep in mind that food
products nc longer figure in the So
called high cost of living: that wage
advances on this account profits moth
to agriculture; that instead each
such wage advance imposes addition
al burdens on agriculture, without
rompensating benefits. through the re-
increased costs of the things
the farmer must buy.
Tariff Not Big Help
1t must be noted that the tariff is no
.onger laid to protect our infant in
iustries." but to maintain our higher
standard of living" This means that
he difference in wages in this country
md those paid for instance in Ger
many. where a woefully deprecated
currency is used, is added to the price
# the imported article. OF course
lone of us prefer the products of any
,ther country to those of our own
when the labor to produce them is so
'oorly paid compared to ours But
he farmer naturally wonders wherein
Ioes he benefit through the application
f this theory in practice. 1t is true
hat agriculture is beautifully men
toned in detail through the tariff. but
he beneficial outflow therefrom is not
'ver abundant. 1t used to be said. and
With ample justification, that employ
NJ industries in this country. fully
manned through the operations of the
arif, provided a home market for
God products unsurpassed in any 9TH
r country. and at prices affording
easonable profits to the farmer. But
MS is no longer altogether true. be-
ause the resulting cost OF the things
ne farmer must buy are greatly out
{ proportion to the market price of
ne things he must exchange for them. :
And it can no longer be denied that
nere is an element Of increasing cost
instantly operating in a circle in the I
lterest of labor and the employing in '
but the farmer is not in this I
irclc. Ii
Casting a glance back ove the fore {
Ding the question presents itself, a
What can the farmer do about it! 7
he answer is, nothing-if he c%ontin- s
es to take his punishment lying down.,
nd such punishment as he is getting 4
roceeds from no one but himself-the '
suit of his indifference to the things
lat should command his attention and
rompt action.
The farmer must put himself in po-
ton to modify. in part at least, the
feet Of the law Of supply and demand
n his output. This can be done thru
cooperative activities applied to the
iferent commodities. and eventually
ombined in national organizations 2
or this purpose he has at his call q
he National Farm Bureau. an organ a
alton that has amply justified the b
,nhdence and support of the Ameri- {
farmer. II stands ready with a
Ioroughiy equipped organization, not a