The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1923-05-02
Reed Says Buy
Necessities Only
FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT SUG-
GESTS REMEDY FOR PRESENT
CONDITION OF FARMER.

Buy absolutely nothing that stern
necessity does not imperatively de-
mand,' is the advice of J. F. Reed,
president of the Minnesota Farm Bu-
reau Federation, to farmers seeking
relief from their present economic
condition. In statement to farmers,
issued Monday, Mr.. Reed said:
From the most expert statistician
in Washington to the smallest farmer
in his humble home; from the great
est captains of industry and finance
to the most humble laborer in indu-
strial pursuits, it is fully known that
the farmer is not receiving proportion
ate returns on capital investment and
labor expended with any other busi-
ness or industry in this country to-
day.
'Is there a remedy for this condi-
tion that can be applied? Yes! Sure,
simple, swift and certain!
without revolution, disorder, OF
unlawful practices, and wholly in the
farmers hands.
BUY absolutely nothing that stern
necessity does not imperatively de-
mand.
"If every farmer will make that
his absolute rule, he will be surprised
how quickly his economic condition
will change. No murder, no bombs
no shock to the sense of propriety
No resort to methods so commonly
known that were so ruthlessly prac-
ticed by those controlling finance dur
ing the past few years.
"Again has begun the vicious circle
of rising prices of the farmers neces-
sites, rising profits and rising wages
of those who produce them, while the
total returns on investment and labor
of the average farmer today does not
equal that of the unskilled laborer EN-
ployed in the factories where the
farmers necessities are produced and
whose hours of labor are much less
than the farmers own.
"Apply with that stern rigor tina:
has made farmers from the beginning
so independent and self-reliant this
rule of buying literally and absolutely
and the time can be counted in months
when the value of land and equipment
and the necessary labor to produce
the products of the farm will bring
an equal return in money that the
investment and labor in other indus
tries bring when their products are
sold. This equality-the farmer j.
entitled to and will not be satisfied
with less.
'Ghanges in methods of marketing
and equality in methods of financing
the industry of agriculture will come
and prove helpful but their helpful
ness is too far distant.
Begin at once the practice of pro-
dscing every possible item of neces-
sity of living and equipment within
your power. Many farmers will be
surprised at the necessities and lux
uries their land and labor will yield
when studied, developed and multipli-
ed. All of these should be used and
indulged in to the utmost, then limit
your buying to the lowest point gaug-
ed by the sternest necessity and the
problem is solved.
"The farmer should produce to the
utmost of his own necessities and buy
the lowest minimum of the products
of the man who charges so many
times more for his investment and la
ber than he is willing to pay the far
mer for his.
"Do it now and keep at it until all
effort on the part of all others with
whom you desire to exchange COM
modities. 1t will be but short time
The weapon is in your own hands
This peaceful method will work mystic
wonders in placing agriculture in its
proper relation with other industries
and occupations"