Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1923-03-02

Farming is the only business left
that buys at retail and sells at
Wholesale; that pays what is asked
whom 1t buys and accepts what il
offered when 1t sells. The farmer
remains merely producer Of the
necessaries Of human life.
He gets but ons-third Of every dol
lar paid by the consumer for the
products Of the farm. Our expen-
sive. antiquated and Inefficient mar
keting system takes the other two
thirds.
The enactment of constructive,
wholesome. progressive legislation.
which will bring about better con-
ditions agriculturally is the mission
Of the Farm Bloc in Congress. As q
member OF that body. I think l may
say with perfect candor that there
il nothing dark. sinister, nor for
bidding In its makeup or its pur-
poses. II is not political. 1t is for
things rather than against them.
for the city man as well as the
country man. II Is. working for
honest industry. honest finance. hon
est commerce. honest agriculture.
honest labor. and wishes to cooper
ate with all OF these.
AuSculture Basis Of
An Prosperity.
The charge has been made by met
ropolitan newspapers. of the East
that the Farm Bloc seeks class leg
islation. That It's aim is to profit
agriculture. no matter at what cost
to other industry. The men who
make that charge lose sight Of the
fundamental fact that agriculture is
basic. that what contributes to its
prosperity aud we'll being unques-
tionabiy benefits all industry. When
agriculture 10 profitable the nation
10 prosperous.
In legislation the farmer Is not
entitled TO any more consideration
than any other class: hut he is en-
titled to Just As much.
The Farm Bloc does not recognize
the right Of any class to have an
advantage At the expense Of another
group or OF the population as a
whole.
The Farm Bloc believes that the
best way to mend the present situa-
tion and provide for the future 10
TO increase the producers profit by
shortening the road 10 market. One
way TO accomplish this Is through
cooperative marketing.
The recently published report OF
the Federal Trade Commission
shows that the gambling transac-
tions In grain amount some years TO
more than twenty billion bushels.
or three times all the grain produced
In the world.
The public has made up us mind
that the Chicago Board Of Trades
poker playing. using the country's
food supply - the stakes. is the
most wantoa. most wicked. most de-
structivs game Of chance In the
world. and Il is now proposing to
stop Il By the Capper-Tincher law
vhich places graia exchanges pndes
federal coatrol.
Tho Farm Bloc measure which
had strongest opposition was the
snssdmeat 70 the Federal Reserve
Act. providiag that agriculture
shoulA - reprsssnted on the Fed
ssal Reserve Board along With other
iadusasy. commerce and finance.
Wall Street. banksrs opposed II Bit
terry. claiming that this 10 "class
lsgislstion."
No oas sssms TO think II "elass
legislation" for commerce. finanes
and Manufacturing 70 BE- rsprssent'
- - the Tslssai Reserve Board
aad. ee cousss. Il 10 not. Then Why
should II b considered class lss's-
latiea for agriculture. which 10 the
lasOsse anA most vital industry of
aii. - b % rsDessssteAf
Tep Q long while the big five
packer eonblne absolutely consrol'
led he llvesee4k aarkets aad fixed
the psices u suit themssivss. A.
result Of tAs eeforts OF the Farm
bios he peekins Industry y nov
undse .eevssnneat control. and. -
natt9 Of faet. the paetsss as1
svesybo1y slse BOW eoncsds that II
b . ooel Nv, III
one q ths oeet Important meas
ufse h The vosu DIoe program vaa
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