The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-08-13
Il e
Editorial Review
THE RADICAL FARMERS DRUG
HABIT

| The farmers OF Minnesota and
North Dakota have found by ex-
pcrience that legislative nostrums
OF the agrarian bloc, such as easy
farm credits. restriction of the
grain exchanges, representation on
the federal reserve board, and a
| high tariff on agricultural prod
ucts, do not correct economic ills
or personal deficiencies. The one
crop wheat growers Of these states
are still hard up. AS is common
with human beings. they fail u
look within themselves for causes,
ard means OF correction, but attri-
butte their troubles entirely to out
side causes. Thus they decide that
the low price OF wheat is the cause
rather than the condition of their
n,isfortunes. and with the assist
aLce OF their political demagogLes
they are crying loudly for a gov
eminent guaranty of wheat prices.
That means government subsidy
Ut the wheat growers.
One diversified and extensive lot
or pro-farmer Legislation having
failed to put them on their feet,
they demand more. It's like the
drug habit. Arthur Evans, writing
OF this situation. says they are
promoting this wheat subsidy idea
with imprisoned propaganda
from Canada to Texas, but
fortunately the other grain states
are not Selling upon the idea with
much avidity. That speaks better
for their intelligence and the in
telligenCe OF their leaders than the
Minnesota and North Daokta ide,
does for the people of those states.
What would government sub
s.dy of wheat mean? The farmers
OF this country generally agree that
theirs is the basic industry Of the
nation. Destroy every city, and the |
wealth production and necessities
OF the farms would build them up
again. Destroy the farms and the
cities would fall in ruins. For the |
government to guarantee wheat !
prices or to subsidize wheat grow
ing. therefore, would be to tax
minor and weaker industries for |
the benefit of stronger and more
industry. Eventually |
!; would mean ruin. 1t is no way
out Of the wheat farmers troubles.
It is way to extend those troubles
TO all other industry
The way out is not through leg
is'at.on but through common
sense. Wheat prices are low be
cause the worlds supply of wheat
exceeds the demand, or at least ex-
ceeds the ability of the world to
buy. When production drops off to
balance demand, prices will be
stabilized at higher level. Ii
higher prices are guaranteed, re-
CARELESS of supply, there will be an
incentive to raise even more wheat
than the present excess supply, in
stead of less. That would be ruin
lGs. The farmers who want it
want the government financed by
taxpayers, to protect them against
food, drought, laziness grasshop-
,ers, and the consequences of thei.
,wn folly. What they most need j.
more diversified farming, giving
hem some crops they can sell. and
conserving and improving their
and until wheat growing again be-
comes profitable through reduced
supply and increased demand.
The wheat farmers position at
present is undeniably bad. 1t is
also sad. But many other farmers
ire getting their feet under them
md working back toward prosper
ty. The wheat farmers can reach
he same goal more quickly and
with less danger and disturbance ,
o the whole economic and indus ,
rial organization If the country if ,
hey will take their lessons from ;
Of diversified farming. ,
which is prospecting, rather than :
rom political demagogues who :
promote discomfort and promise |;
through such falla- =.
les as farm subsidies.-Chicago
Tribune ~