Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-12-10
Farm Income
Has Increase
{ Continued from Page y

products.
THE general agricultural inn
provement is most gratifying to ev-
erybody and gives renewed hope to
millions of farmers who have strug-
gled against most distressing condi-
tlons, mir. Wallace told the Pres
ident. "This does not warrant the
assumption, however that the state
Of agriculture in all sections is now
satisfactory. In many regions agri-
culture still is at disadvantage.
THE ratio between prices of
most farm products and prices of
other commodities is still far out Of
line. Industrial wages continueF at
wartime levels and thus help to
maintain high prices for most
things the farmer buys. High
freight rates still prevail, and,
while not the cause of low farm
prices, place one more additional
burden upon the farmer which he
can i'll afford to pay in view of the
prices he must take for his products
also they place him at disadvan-
tage with his foreign competitors
in world markets in farm prod
uets we export.
'Unfavorable exchange rates with
European countries, together with
financial difficulties in those coun-
tries which need our surplus make
it more difficult for them to buy
and our export outlet for farm
commodities is narrowing. Aside
from this difficulty, it is to be ex-
pected that as the countries of Eu-
rope get on their feet, they will
strive to produce more of the
J things they need and buy less from
us, and this must be considered in
planning our future production.
THE costs of retail distribution
of farm products are unreasonably
large, thus enhancing the price %
the consumer and depriveing the
farmer of the benefit of increased
consumption which ought to follow
lower prices which result from large
production
Studies indicate that AZ per cent
of the farmers feel that their fl
nancial difficulties are due to low
prices of farm products; to high
farm labor, II per cent; high
taxes, II per cent; high costs OF
freight rates, 10 per cent reckless
expenditures during boom period,
6 per cent, too much credit per
cent and high interest 10 per cent.
TOO frequently persons who
have not inquired into the matter
express the opinion that the farn-
ers' difficulties are due to reckless
expenditures for land, speculative
securities land other purposes dur
ing the flush years. The percent
age who suffered in this way, how
ever, does not seem to be very
large. The farmers troubles are
due primarily to the low prices Of
their farm products and the high
prices for the services and articles
they must buy"
A very complete report on the
wheat situation in all of its as
poets has been prepared by his de-
'partment. Secretary Wallase said.
He discussed the many suggestions
3 of ways to aid the wheat growers
out of their present distressing sit
. uation. A reduction of acreage,
he said, was going on at rate
much greater than generally real
lied, and as rapidly as could be ex-
pected. DiversificEtion of crops
in sections heretofore specializing
in wheat was making substantial
progress. The idea that the gov
eminent arbitrarily fix aprice COW
ering production costs was no
longer entertained by any consid-
cradle number. The bringing in
Of foreign farm laborers to reduce
production costs seemed visionary
because high industrial wages
would pull them away from the
farm. The purchase and holding
by the government of surplus
wheat might prove of temporary
help provided an advance in price,
which is the object sought, should
& be protected by the necessary adj
vance in the tariff. The proposal
to sell a considerable part of the
surplus to some country which
could not buy for cash but which
is in urgent need of food selling IN
long time and taking evidences of
Indebtedness issued by state or
municipal governments, was wor-
thy of consideration. The organi-
cation of wheat growers into
successful, powerful cooperative
marketing organization might en-
able them to control the flow of
wheat and reduce marketing costs
but was work requiring years.
THE existing tariff has given a
substantial measure of protection
to the growers of certain varie-
ties of wheat, "said Mr. Wallace,
but not sufficient to make good
the difference in cost of produc-
ton and marketing here and in
some competing countries when
all factors are considered. Any eff
fort which has the effect of ad-
vancing wheat prices at home
must be supported by an advance
In the tariff on wheat"
Mr.. Wallace outlined his sugges-