The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-01-19
+ I, = 4. + 4. = + + + + + + + + ,
= THE FORUM +
I. = + + + I. I. + = 4. = . + = + + ,
j. E. GRAY SAYS DIVISION OF
PIE UNFAIR TO THE FARMER.

/ Farmers, generally speaking, are
pessimisic at present, Notwithstanding
the consoling articles from prosper
GUS concerns as to his certain future
prosperity. They all have the theory
that the darkest hour is just before
day and the sun is shining just be-
hind the cloud. Under the present
system the wheat farmer cannot ac-
cept such theories. He feels that it
makes no difference which way he
goes, darkness looms up before him.
If he raises poultry as side line he
| finds there is over production. If
he produces pork to any great extent,
the same conditions apply And if
they all go into the dairy business,
ruinous prices will follow. Nearly
every line of industry and farming is
receiving aid or protection from the
government. The wool grower has a
protection from competition in the
market of 33 cents per lib. The sugar
producer has a protective tariff of
1920 per sack from all outside
countries, except Cuba which is s1.84.
Dairy products are protected with
tariff which keeps up the price. The
lumber industry is protected. The
manufacturers of almost every kind
are protected from foreign competi-
ton by very high tariff (the highest
ever known.) Freight rates and pas
senger fares are fixed by the govern
ment SO that the owners of railroads
will receive .5% per cent dividends on
the money invested, including watered
stock. The 1aborer is protected with
the immigrant law, and a living wage
set by the Railroad Labor Board, or
some other board, which practically
fixes wages for other industries Gin
Guiding wages on the FARM The
shipping interests are clamOrfng for
subsidy to enable them to compete
with foreign ships and have a big
profit left (Which is not bit more
unjust than the 5A per cent dividends
handed out to the railroads; or the
1920 per sack to the sugar interests.) |
But the wheat farmer is not SO
protected. True, there is tariff on
imported wheat But it does not af-
feet the price one-tenth of one cent |
per bushel. The price of our wheat |
is based upon the price In Liverpool, |
England. So the wheat farmer has to |
compete with the wheat farmer of |
Europe and India, who use pauper
labor. He completes with the wheat |
farmer of Australia, Argentina, and
y
He gets no bonus or subsidy To
make this a little palmer: Uncle Sam
baked a big pie and divided it among
his industrial children, giving almost
every one a piece except the wheat
farmer. And of course he is very
greatly dissatisfied: How could he be
satisfied? Suppose there are five
children in a family and the mother
divides the pie into four pieces and
only four of them get piece Do
you think the other one will be salts
tied? No sir! He will be so mad
ne can hardly see. He will feel like
whipping the whole bunch, including
he mother; SO you see the only thing
hat will satisfy the wheat grower
lnder present governmental conditions
S piece of pie from Uncle Sam. If
Uncle Sam will take the pie away
rom his other industrial children the
wheat farmer will be satisfied Now,
lappy family, he must give 10 pie to
his squalling children or else cut
ach one piece the same size. We
AVE always been opposed 10 par
ial division of the pie; but this does
lot keep the others from getting it.
hey seem to be in the majority, and
Jncle Sam hears their piteous ap-
eals. So we have decided to beg
Jnc1e Sam for a piece of pie and
hus get even with the other children
We are going to say to Uncle Sam:
Please guarantee us a fixed price of
25 or more per bushel for our
yheat white club and we will be l