Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-10-19
Thinks Both Old Parties Need
Watch La Toilette and Farmers

blame for present conditions on the
farmers themselves. have heard
moro than one argue that possession
OF oil stock by a farmer ought to
forfeit sympathy for him. Let the
fool pay for his folly. is their con-
tention. Yet IL ought not to be for
gotten that the farmer is no more
d gambler 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, il Is re-
lated that an oil stock promoter died
and arrived at st. Peters gate, only
to be informed that the section al
lotted to men of his occupation was
fun. He inquired whether st. Peter
would do him a kindness, and good
st. Peter consented. So the disem-
bodied spirit asked the guardian OF
the gate to 20 to the section occu-
pied by oil stock promoters and an
nounce that oil had been struck in
hell. Strafghtway there was 4 rush
out OF the Celestial City. Not a
single oil stock promoter remained.
NOW there Is room for YOU" smiled
st. Peter. Yes, but / don't know
that l want in" responded the new
conner; there may be something in
the rumor.''
IL has been disclosed that of every
dollar which the consumer pays for
his farm products the farmer gets
~ cents and the railroad which car
ries the products gets 3 cents. For
long time there was quite q hull
lApaloo about the railroads, it being
COMMENDED that reduction in freight
fateS was necessary to save the farm
ers. Since it has been established
that the grower and carrier together
get only 40 cents of the consumers
dollar less has been heard of the
demand for rate revision. AS the
facts now stand the farmer and the
raiiroad get 40 cents of the dollar
you or spend for farm products and
the middiemen and gamblers in food
stuffs get so cents
y X X
have faith In the integrity If the
American farmer and in mis- sense of
fair dealing. ! believe that IL that 60
cents could be withheld from the mid
dlemen and specula tors and split IN the
farmer would be willing to share with
the consumer; that he would be content
with 20 cents more than he gets now
inns would allow 20 cents for distribu-
tion costs under cooperative plan and
20 cents for a reduction in prices to con-
sumers. In any event, the. Hon. Bob has
given the farmer something to think
about and to talk about The question
really mas no place in politics, but most
poIlticians are now worrying over it,
The farmers OF the United States are
apout the only survivors Of that large
number who subscribed to the doctrine
OF local seif-Sovernment. They have had
sad experience with outsders who
sought "a hoir
TO direct their affairs. No difference how
hlSh-mlnded and patriotic may be the
desire to help the farmer through the
organization Of some board or commits.
sion to sit in Washington. the farmer
himself is opposed to it He wishes to
look after his own business to be en-
abled to do so through Government aid
II the Government really wants to do
something for him. What he wants
above everything else is an opportunity
to sell his own products.
1t 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 it's
citizens, to be advocating the Ioaning
or Federal money to the farmers to
start cooperative sales agencies, but
f1nd myself in sympathy with the move
ment L 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 grant
ing special privilege will be enacted,
but we have given freely to others in
America. and ] feel that We we'll might
loan the farmers money to try this ex-
pertinent Of local self-government in the
control of the products OF their own
Drawn.
Copyright, 1924, by 2lst Century Press,