Catoctin clarion., 1923-02-08

Suu HVc StocA IN DTleI peTlOQ, ana
glutted markets and falling prices
caused more farm hardships than the
agricultural industry ever had known.
Losses that came down on farmers
like cyclone reduced prices of farm
products and farm lands and drove
thousands Of young men from the farm
to the cities. cost the farmers, 40
cording to careful estimates of sta
tisticians, $4,000, 100000. Such losses
to the manufacturing, banking or mer-
camille interests would have choked
the courts with bankruptcy proceed
ings, filled aims houses and jails,
started bread lines in every city. para.
lyzed building and other city indus.
tries.
But the hitherto unorganized farmer,
apparently doomed to destruction, like
the worm when tread upon, at last
turned and began to organize. Con.
gress woke up, repealed the law against
cooperative selling and is sure to pass
the bill increasing facilities for loans
on long time. Western grain men are
by cooperation reducing cost of ele-
vator charges, securing advances Of
money 30 the grain can be held for the
best price. and getting better freight
rates. BY cooperation. Western cream.
cries are producing q uniform grade
Of butter and, instead Of hat in hand
begging the city retailer for fair
price, are now fixing their own prices
on the basis Of supply and demand.
Everywhere cooperative fruit, vege-
table, cattle and sheep growers asso-
Citations are getting together. The
farm bureau, the most powerful farm
organization is busy; the success Of
the citrus fruit and raisin growers
Of California in maintaining prices
above cost Of production and long haul,
with its high rates, has blazed the
trail.
What is the condition now. you ask.
The answer: The United States Treas
ury Department, with unusual oppor-
tunities for getting accurate figures.
reports the net income Of farmers all
over the country for the year past az
little less than $185 per farm family.
Not a bright picture.
What has already been accomplished
In the matter Of useful legislation to
help the farmer has been achieved
through cooperation and organized
pressure. The farmer Is entitled to at
least fair part OF the price paid for
his product by the consumer. Mary.
In - haw ~ - 81
lature about q year from now. The
farmers have q whole year in which
to get together to settle upon such
legislation as they may need. And by
getting together they can get what
they need in the way Of terminal mar.
kets, roads. selling and educational
agencies.
Much can be done. Farmers must
subject their individualism for the com.
mon good and in that way get the
things that will benefit each Of them.
The farmer must organize and It will
take some Of his time. but he is like |
the man with the dog by the ear-hs
cannot let 60. He must sacrifice some |
time to attend meetings, meet with his
fellows, plan what is best, 80 that he |
may eventually at least get an equal
chance with the other interests which |
are always ON the job. The filled milk |
bill. which is to prevent manufactur-
Ing interests taking skim milk and put |
ting cocoanut oil in 1t and then selling
1t at q low price at Q profit, is impor-
tant to the dairymen. Congress seems
certain to pass the law prohibiting
Of such milk. Wiscon.
sin, great dairy State, prohibits sale
In that State. It's sale should be pro
hibited in Maryland. Experts proved
before the committee Of Congress that
1t was valueless as food and absolute
ly detrimental to the health Of chill.
dren. There are other substitutes in
with farm products that
need study.
Much Is to be done and much can be
done to aid the Maryland farmer, and
Governor Richie has pointed the way
by saying in his speech at Frederick.
II cannot, therefore, urge you toe
to perfect your organizations
in every way, to strengthen them. to
solidify them, until through them you
are able to evolve. with the agencies
Of the State. whose duty 1t 10 to CO.
operate with you and help you. The ap-
propriats plans to meet all your wants
and needs"