The Omaha morning bee., 1924-07-25

Coal company. Mr.. Brown has FOR
years taken the position that the first
consideration of the business men In
Omaha and throughout the state
should be the welfare of the farmers
without that there is no prosperity
in Omaha or elsewhere in the state.
Prosperity at Hand.
THE swing of the pendulum seems
to have reached nearly its end In
respect to the adverse conditions that
have for some time existed against
the farmers" said Mr.. Brown.
Reports from the Agricultural de-
partment at Washington indicate a
13 per cent shortage in the 1924 world
wheat crop, compared TO the large
yield of 1928. Canada, our neighbor,
is apparently short somewhere near
80 per cent. due to unfavorable dry
weather conditions.
THE Nebraska corn crop, even
though short OF last years record, is
in far better condition than that of
the heavy producing corn states to
the east. With the large general corn
shortage in our country. this crop
must of necessity continue at a high
price.
while II is true that so per cent
OF our Nebraska corn Is fed on our
farms TO our livestock, and while the
present prices OF livestock are rela.
lively too low on the basis OF corn
prices. the law Of compensation must
soon prevail and advance livestock
prices to higher levels.
Lesson from Cutten.
TT has always been considered that
the wheat crop Is the ready money
crop. For this reason It has usually
been dumped upon the market soon
after harvest. The result has been
that the farmers did not obtain a
fair value for tin fact, not a cost
value.
The late profit made by Arthur
w. Cutten Of Chicago on corn has
taught the farmer that his profit
must be obtained by holding his grain
for better figures. instead of passing
1t on to those who have been more
astute in their Judgment. but who do
not lend their hard labor 10 its pro-
duetion.
THE farmers In Nebraska are al
ready laying their plans. from all
VIC can hear, to hold their wheat
This movement was started last sea.
son. The idea then was new. The
crop was tremendous. The plan was
only partly supported. It had the
effect. however. OF at least holding
up the price of wheat from reaching
lower levels.
Other States Should Follow.
THE idea Of selling wheat slowly
is most excellent one. No doubt 1t
will be expanded and taken up by
the farmers OF other states and result
in a better price for wheat in the
future for all farmers.
Agricultural products are the
basis of all wealth and prosperity.
therefore, every merchant and banker
is deeply interested in the farmers
success and should bear with the
farmer at this particular time in not
forcing his crops to market. Pos
slhly the Withholding. the slow sell
ing OF wheat for the time being may
delay temporary buying. In the long
run 1t will re-establish the farmer on
a profit basis and place him on the
final road to prosperity.
Farmer Comes First.
"The Nebraska idea, sell wheat
slowly is fine one and the lead of
The Omaha Bee in this matter should
be taken up by other newspapers pub
lished I'm the wheat belt.
we cannot expect 10 prosper In
this midwest agricultural section un.
less the farmer prospers. Neither
VIII there be business coming In 10
the stores of the large cities unless
the farmer can secure a profit for
his products above the cost of pro.
duction. Let us bear in mind, too,
that his profit must be greater than
prewar on account OF the greater
cost of manufactured articles. II
was 10 guess at n price for wheat to-
day that would be compensatory on
the basis OF the present cost OF manu-
featured articles. / should say that
the farmer should be receiving I.fo
per bushel for his wheat. In view OF
the worlds shortage indications are
that farmers cnn obtain this price II
the farmer will sell wheat slowly" 4"