The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-07-05

effects OF the extortionato rail-
road rates imposed by q Rcpub-
ncan Congress and q Democratic
President In the Esch- Cummins
law, the deflation policy OF the
Federal Reserve Board which the
responsible leaders Of both parties
instituted and have since de.
Tended, and the consistent policy
Of administration OF both parties
in leaving monopoly a free hand
to set the price on everything he
consumes, including farm ma.
chinery and implements, fertilizer
and household necessities.
The hypocrisy OF the cd parties
was never more forcioly illus.
trated than by a comparison Of
their platform declarations with
the actual records Of their repre.
sentatives in the session OF Con.
!. gress just closed. Expressing
deep concern for the farm ars, re-
dictionary Republicans and Demo-
Gratis failed to produces q ,singls
constructive measure for the re-
lief Of agriculture, rejected the
only bills which were introduced
Tor this purpose, and by their
combined votes against the votes
OF the progressives forced Con.
gress to adjourn for the party
conventions, defeating q resolu-
ton providing that Congress
should return after q months re-
cess to give immediate considera-
ton to farm relief legislation.
The present condition Of agricul-
ture ID the natural result of Dem
ocratic and Republican policies
which have denied the farmer the
equality to which he is fairly
entitled. The progressiyes have
demanded repeal Of the Esch.
Cumnins Transportation act,
reduction Of freight rates to sub.
stantially their pre.War levels,
reformation Of the Federal Re.
serve Board, and the removal Of
artificial burdens which have been
placed upon the farmer by adj
ministrations serving monopoly,
to the ruin Of agriculture.
Describes Plight Of Farmer.
The farmer does not ask that
he be given special advantages.
He realizes that so long as the
Government permits monopoly to
crush out his co-operatives by cut.
throat competition, control the
prices Of his products at will and
clrtail his credit there can be no
sound, permanent prosperity for
agriculture. He understands that
he must make common cause
with the wage Garner, who IL
likewise at the mercy Of monop-
oily. and he must make common
cause with the consuming public.
, which pays monopoly its extor-
tionate profits but this IL the
road to prosperity for ell the PEG.
pie. unattainable by panaceas
which leave monopoly intrenched
In its present tyrannical power
over credit, industry and the Gov
eminent itself.
have long held the opinion
that in the cooperative principle
as applied to both marketing and
credit, lies the best hope for deal
ing effectively with monopoly.
But unless the intrenched powers
which now control. the economic
life Of this nation are restrained
by the vigorous action Of Con-
gress and the Executive the at
tempts Of the people to free them
selves through cooperation win
fail. In their uneven struggle
against monopoly the people MIST
insist that the Government be
their ally rather than. as at pres
ent, the active agent Of the
enemy.
No Hope In Communism.
In order permanently to relieve
the, farmer and to prevent the re-
currence Of agricultural distress,
as well as to benefit the consumer
through eliminating the unjust
toll Of middlemen and spectators
in food products, It Is the duty of
the Government to aid the farmer
in the organization and develop
nent Of a national cooperative
marketing system, under the con.
troll of the farmers themselves,
free from Interference by the Gov.
eminent or its agencies. The Gov.
eminent must recognize that agri-
culture Is entitled to be placed
upon an equal footing with other
Industries Of the nation.
The progressive movement Is
the only political medium III our
country today which can provide
Government In the interests OF all
classes of the people. We are I'M
alterably opposed to any class
Government, whether Il DO the
existing Dictatorship OF plutocracy