The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-22
MISSING THE MARK

There are three measures pending in tho house, passage of which is urged by the farm bloc, which have for their avowed in- tent the stabilizing of the market for farm products. One of these measures would au- thorize an appropriation of one hundred million dollars to organize a government corporation to buy and sell farm products in domestic markets. A second would ere ate a commission with authority to borrow half billion from the federal reserve bank for the purpose of buying the surplus of wheat and corn, thereby guaranteeing the stability of the market. The third of this weird trio would create a revolving fund with which the secretary of agriculture could buy, store and sell wheat in such quantities as to insure a stable market. In each in stance the price of wheat is to be not below S1.50, and of corn not less than seventy-fivc cents a bushel! These measures calmly ignore all the laws of economics and of sup ply and demand. They ignore all present agencies for marketing crops, and they take it for granted that the farmer is subject anxiously waiting on the royal favor of the government.
 Nothing can be farther from the truth. The farmer is solving his own problems, and, unlike those who arbitrarily assume to speak in his behalf he is following sensible and established methods of conducting his business in a businesslike manner. If the members of the farm bloc really desired an enlightened and intelligent idea of the far mer's situation and needs they could very
 Il. fz. f. s44 As it is. they are entirely or the wrong track, and are legislating for an imagined situation which has no counterpart in reality. Let them come down from the clouds and out from the enveloping fog of their own political vaporings, and see things in the actual light of an honest-to-goodness day.
 It is significant that Aaron Sapiro, legal representative and organizer of several CO., operative farm marketing organizations now in successful operation, opposes the three measures, and openly declares that the far mer should obtain all the money he needs through established credit agencies MT. Sapiro does, however, tell the congressman that the farmer needs additional recogni- tion of agricultural paper. This will be accomplished if the farmer has access to the present credit facilities. The Farm Bu- reau and similar marketing organizations have brought about the stabilization of the market by methods similar to those em- ployed by manufacturers in the disposal of their products. The price is based on the cost of production, and no price below that figure is accepted. As result the general level of farm prices has steadily risen until now the general prosperity is established. This is not temporary condition, but one that will last because it is based on sound principles. The only weakness in the pres ent situation is that the cooperative pro- gram has not yet become completely estab- lished, but it is expected that the present year will see that consummation. There after, nothing the legislative quacks may do will have effect nor will the cause of the farmer, as set forth by his self-appointed spokesmen, be again the football of politics and the sport of the politically ambitious.