The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-19
SHOULD WATCH LA TOILETTE

heard more than one argue that possession or oil stock by farmer ought to forfeit sympa- thy for him. Let the fool pay for his toily' is their contention Yet it ought not to be forgotten that the farmer is no more gam bier inspired by the hope of quick return than any other person. If nothing were ever done for those of us who have been guilty of foolish things many of us would deserve pity.
 Speaking of oil stocks, it Is related that an oil stock promoter died and arrived at St. Peters gate, only to be informed that the section allotted to men of his occupation was full. He inquired whether St.9P Peter would do him a kindness, and good St. Peter con sented. So the disembodied spirit asked the guardian of the gate to go to the sections oc cupied by oil stock promoters and announce that oil had been struck in hell. Straight way there was rush out of the Celestial City. Not single oil stock promoter, remained. Now there is room for you," smiled St. Peter. Yes, but 1 don't know that want to go in," responded the newcomer; "there may be something in the rumor.'
 1t has been disclosed that of every. dollar which the consumer pays for his farm prod ucts the farmer gets g cents and the rail road which carries the products gets 5 cents. For a long time there was quite huliabAloo about the railroads, it being contended that reduction in freight rates was necessary to save the farmers. Since 1t has been estab- lished that the grower and carrier together get only 40 cents. of the consuners dollar less has been heard of, the demand for rate revision. As the facts now stand the farmer and the railroad get 40 cents of the dollar you or I spend for farm products and the middlemen and gamblers in foodstuffssSget2 60 cents "a MFrf
 I have faith in the integrity of the Ameri. oo,, for opd i,, his cpuaa of fair dealln1. believe that if that 60 cents could be with held from the middlemen and spectators and split up the farmer would be willing to share with the consumer; that he would be content with 20 cents more than he gets now. This would allow 20 cents for distribution costs under a cooperative plan and 20 cents far reduction in prices to consumers. In any event, the Hon. Bob has given the farmer something to think about and to talk about The question really has no place in politics. but most politicians are now lAworr5ins over it. tg9 .. .ecr5-.rf
 The farmers of the United States are about the only survivors of that large num- Der who subscribed to the doctrine of local self government. They have had sad ex- perience with outsiders who sought to look after their interests and to direct their af- fairs. No difference how high-minded and patriotic may be the desire to help the farm Ier through the organization of some Doard or commission to sit in Washington, the farm CT himself is opposed to it. He wishes to look after his own business, to be enabled to do so through government aid if the govern ment really wants to do something for him. What he wants above everything else is an opportunity to sell his own products.
 It may sound strange for an old-fashioned Democrat like myself, who believes it is not the business of the government to wipe the noses, black the shoes and brush the clothes of its citizens, to be advocating the loaning of federal money to the farmers to start ico- operative sales agencies, but find myself in sympathy with the movement. am still hoping that the time will come when every special privilege will be wiped off the statute books and that thereafter not another law granting special privilege will be enacted, but we have given freely to others in America, and feel that we well might loan the farmers money to try this experiment of local self government in the control of the products of their own brawn. ,~s} +.y a.t