The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-11-14

MUST FIX THE PRICE

A gigantic and thoroughly organic
ed cooperative marketing scheme,
under which farmers can fix the
price of their grain and regulate it's
production, the organization to have
government sanction and protection,
is declared by former United States
Senator Porter ]. McCumber as the
only means Of permanently solving
the problem of the cereal raiser.
In letter to President Coolidge,
Senator McCumber, who now is prac-'
tising law in Washington said:
"Is there 1ny real practicable rem
edy-any cure that will be perman-
ent? AS this letter clearly demon
strates the only cure must be one
that will increase the price of the
farmers product to an extent that
will make its purchasing power equal
to what it was before the war. It
would require at least $3.50 per bus
hel for wheat on the farm to give
the farmer, after paying his taxes,
the same comforts he had ten years
ago; and it would require at, $500
per bushel price to place him where
he ought to be, on a plane of equal
ity with the semi skilled labor of our
great cities. But we know that with
two-thirds of the population clamor-
ing for cheap food, there is little
chance of placing him on such an
equality.
"How can he increase the value of
his product? There is but one way
combined withholding of his crop
from the markets until he can re-
ceivs his price. How may this be
done? 1t can be done only through
an organization that will enable him
to Withhold from the market every
bushef of his grain until he can get
a living price for it. How can the
Government assist him? 1t can pro-
vide by Federal law for a coopera-
tive system of marketing of all of
the farmers products, a law that
will be as comprehensive and COM
plete as your law for the organiza-
tion of regional banks and farm loan
banks. etc. '~'
Organization Is Key Note
'The worlds business today is
done through organization. Indus
trial organization dominates the pro-;
duction and marketing of all the
products of our factories. Organic
ed capital has been met by organic
ed labor, each advancing it's own in
terest. The unorganized farming in
dustry, unable to fix the supply to
meet the demand, unable to control
the flow Of what it has to sell into
the markets of the country, suffers
the consequences of this inherent
weakness. The farmer must organ
ize, and the only way the Govern
ment can assist him is to help him
TO organize and thereby help him to
help himself. With such an organi-
zation provided for the farmer will
with avidity seek it's protective pow
or. With such an organization, it's
head could in twenty-four hours
check the shipment of grain until
reasonable price demanded should be
obtained. >
Need Nationwide Law
"But the farmers of the country
with their varied industries are un-
able to consummate such an organ
ization. What they need is some
kind of a nationwide law under
which they can begin and consum-
nate this organization. That nation
vide law should be law providing
for cooperative selling. But more
cooperative selling will not alone
meet the farmers requirements.
Back of the power to cooperate in
selling must be the power to cooper
ate in the joint holding Of his pro-
ducts until he can g)t his price for
them. He must meet force with
force. He must meet combinations
against his interest with a combina-
tion for his interest. He must be
able to say to those whose earnings
are $500 to $500 per day and
whose added compensation increases
the cost iof everything he buys: You
can not have q bushel of my wheat,
. pound Of my beef, a bale of myi
cotton until you are willing to pay
me 2 sum that will allow me COM
pensation that will equal your lown
until i can live and pay my debts
and the interest on my mortgage.
"A law that would provide for an
association beginning with. the local
farm Organization. ia a sstate, with
state agents or : committee to look
after the particular interests Of that
state in marketing its grain, to bring
the producers and consdmer into as
direct relation as possible. to create
markets in. the large cities where
the farmers product caK be disposed
of, and each Of these states to be re- /,
presented on q National Board. would !,
give the farmer the relief he Is seek
ing. The plan should be similar to
that Of the regional banking system.
The organization must have : head
which can stop the flow immed diately
Of all wheat and other .cereals into
= glutted market until thst market J
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