The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-07-31
THE FARMER AND
HIS PROBLEMS


Two of the principal topics OF dis
cussion that occupy the attention o
the public generally and for month";
have filed the pages of the pres,
and magazines will continue fore
most in Importance during the mex
few months at least. These are pol
itics. particularly relating to the pol
icies of the old parties and the pos
sible chances OF third party, and
the other question, the farmer and
his problems, q rather indefinite
phrase but nevertheless q very real
condition.
No national question has occa-
stoned more discussion than the
problems of the farmer.
The leading important publica-
lions have sent correspondents to
every part of the country to find out
what is the trouble with the farmer,
what are his complaints what can
be done to help him.
Farmers might be interested to
know what the general proposed So
luton of his problem Is. While to
many of them the question might be
new, it is well to know just what the
magazines and the daily press are
talking about.
A review of the literature indi-
Gates that there are a number of
varied proposals for the relief OF
the farmer The main ones seem
to be about as follows:
Reduction of acreage. This is
suggested particularly in the case
is rs per cent above the pre- waf
level
Diversification OF crops. Such
diversification to result in the cur
tailment of certain crops the tenden-
cy Of which Is to glut the markets
and lower the price. 1t indicates
that agriculture in this country is
unbalanced and needs adjustment.
Cooperative marketing, the main
purpose of which will be to elimin-
ate many of the middlemen and en-
able the farmer to get more of what
the consumer pays. To enable the
orderly marketing of food products
in order that prices may be stabil-
lied and the consumer encouraged to
buy more systematically.
There are many advocates of the
theory that government should fix
an arbitrary minimum price on lead
ing products such as wheat. The |
farmers have had experience with |
price fixing. Many of them like it,
but the question is, is it good thing
for agriculture? Is it fair to the
public?
Some economists argue that there
should be revision of the immigra-
ton laws to permit of the entrance
to this country of agricultural labor
ers They contend that this would
bring down the farm wage and would
provide more man power. This, they
claim would also reduce the wages
paid in other industries and at the
same time reduce the cost of manu-
featured articles.
Some farmers are students of the
tariff. They think an increase in
the tariff on wheat would be helpful.
1t is true that tariff as it relates to
agriculture needs careful thought
and study and all farmers can do
well to study its many features.
Should the government purchase
the surplus wheat supply. hold it OH
the market, create an artificial do :
nestle scarcity and thereby raise
the price? If the government buys !;
surplus wheat, should it also buy :
the surplus of any other commod- !
ty? This is the big problem around !
which there is much discussion po- !
itical and otherwise.
There are few people who think
hat the government should buy the :
surplus wheat at high price and sell O
t to the American consumer at the |;
market rate, taking a loss and pay a
he deficit out of taxation. .
The ever-present question of @
reight rates comes in for its share 2
Il the discussion. The thought is
that freight rates should
ONE down both on the products !.
7hich he ships and those he buys =
The problems of agriculture today
re not those of production only.
Ieither is that of selling farm crops n
he paramount one, but the whole "
cid of production and marketing II
nd the relationship of farming to a
UT Industrial and commercial life
a problem that must have more ii
Ian passing attention of thinking d
lrmers. They are not political and it III
unfortunate that they should be &C
sed to further the political ambi-
ons Of men and parties who want u
le farmer vote, III