The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-07

FupLlOnI the PTeSlQenL SnOulQ nave authority to appoint a commission empowered to deal with whatever emergency situation might arise, to aid conciliation and voluntary arbitra- tion, to adjust any existing or threat ened controversy between tho em- ployer and the employe when collec- tive bargaining fails. and by con- trolling distribution to prevent pro- fiteering in this vital necessity. This Legislation is exceedingly urgent, and essential to the exercise of national authority for the protection of the people, Those who undertake the re- sponsibility of management or em- ployment in this industry do so with the full knowledge that the public in- terest is paramount, and that to fail through any motive of selfishness in it's service is such a betrayal of duty as warrants uncompromising action by the government.
 o Q O
 ReOrg
 A social joint committee has been appointed to work out a plan for a reorganization of the different de- partments and bureaus of the govern ment more scientific and economical than the present system. With the exception of the consolidation of he war and navy departments and some minor details, the plan has the gem eral sanction of the President and the Cabinet. It is important that reorgan- ization be enacted into law t the present session.
 Agriculture.
 Aided by the sound principles adopted by the government, the busi- 4I, hoe I,a1 traordinary revival. Looked at as a whole, the nation is in the enjoyment of remarkable prosperity. Industry and commerce are thriving. For the most part agriculture is successful. eleven staples having risen in value ago to about $7,000,000,000 for the current year. But range cattle are still low in price, and some sections of the wheat area, notably Minne- sota, North Dakota, and on west, have many cases of actual distress. With his products not selling on parity with the products of industry, every sound remedy that can be devised should be applied for the relief of the farmer represents a character, a type of citizenship, and a public necessity that must be preserved and afforded every facility for regaining prosperity.
 The distress Is most acute among those wholly dependent upon one crop. Wheat acreage was greatly expanded and has not yet been suffi- ciently reduced A large amount is raised for export, which has to meet the competition in the world market of large amounts raised on land much cheaper and much more pro- ductive.
 No complicated scheme of relief, no plan of government fixing of prices, no resort to the public treas ury will be of any permanent value ill establishing agriculture. Simple and direct methods put into operation by the farmer himself are the only real sources for restoration.
 Indirectly the farmer must be re- lieved by reduction of national and local taxation. He must be assisted by the reorganization of the freight rate structure which could reduce charges on his productions. To make this fully effective there ought to be railroad consultations. Cheaper fertilizers must be provided.
 He must have organization. His customer with whom he exchanges products of the farm for those of in dustry is organized, labor is or ganized, business is organized, and there Is no way for agriculture to meet this unless it, too, Is organized. The acreage of wheat is too large. Unless we can meet the world mar ket at profit. we must stop raising for export. Organization would help to reduce acreage. Systems of CO., operative marketing created by the farmers themselves, supervised by competent management, without doubt would be of assistance, but they can not wholly solve the prob lem. Our agricultural schools ought to have thorough courses in the theory of organization and co-opera- tive marketing.
 Diversification is necessary. Those farmers who raise their living on their land are not greatly in distress. Such loans as are wisely needed to assist buying stock and other ma terials to start in this direction should be financed through a gov ernment agency as temporary and emergency expedient.
 The remaining difficulty is the dis position of exportable wheat. I do not favor the permanent interference of the government in this problem. That probably would increase the trouble by increasing production. But 1t seems feasible to provide govern ment assistance to exports, and authority should be given the war finance corporation to grant, in its discretion. the most liberal terms of payment for fats and grains exported for the direct benefit of the farm.
 O O O
 Muscle Shoals.
 The government Is undertaking to develop & great water power project known as Muscle Shoals. on which 1t