The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-30
Editorial Comment
The Farmers Dilemma
(St. Paul Dispatch)

Eastern industrial interests have blamed the
farmers lack Of judgment for unsatisfactory con-
ditions in agricultural regions. They ask, with
apparent reason, why he does not look before he
leaps, when planting time .SSRlsss and select the
crop that promises him some assurance of a re-
ward? - ~ "
They liken the farmer to the automobile manu-
facturer who persists in turning out touring cars
in face Of the public demand for enclosed cars and
triumphantly ask, what would become Of the man.
ufacturers who persisted in turning out touring
cars?" and reply that the oversupply surplus
would so beat down his prices to cripple if not
bankrupt him. This, they comprehend it, is the
stubborn attitude Of the farmer who will not think.
but continues in the rut turning out products from
his plant with which the market is oversupplied.
From the eastern viewpoint the argument looks
sound the indictment Of the farmers business
Judgment seems complete. mere matter of bus
mess, they regard it. But when the automobile
manufacturer finds that there is surplus produc-
ton not alone Of touring cars, but of roadsters,
coaches, sedans and limousnes, what will he
do then, poor thing? Will he shut down his fac
tory, turn away his employees, and hide his bill un-
der his wing, poor thing, until demand overtakes
supply? Perhaps he will. Sound business would
dictate that course. But the farmer is unable to
do that-unless the mortgage does it for him.
Hence the interest in the monthly Federal Re-
serve bank review, issued today and in the COM
ments Of Chairman John R. Mitchell of the Ninth
Federal Reserve bank He calls attention to the
fact that intention-toplant reports indicate plant
ing. Of 5534,00O acres to durum, which, under nor
NAL conditions, would yield 66OOO,OOO bushels in
1927 CT double to domestic consumption, leaving
100000 bushels for export He points cut that
Mussolini has issued orders for a greater durunl
wheat acreage in ltaly-our principal customer
and suggests that the increase in durum simply
means sharp drop in the price for the grain this
fall in contrast to the present price which is 10 to
20 cents above bread wheat-an abnormal situation
for in other years the reverse is true
Contrasting this situation with the flax stua.
tion the puzzle is greater Intention plan,
reports show decline of Is per cent over las,
year This, Mr.. Mitchell figures would mean az
acreage of only 100000 acres and yield of les:
than 100000 bushels and the necessity Of i'm
porting 100000 bushels
To counterfeit this and to induce farmers who in
tend to plant durum to change and plant flax. Mr.
Mitchell urges action by farm organizations and tn,
broadcasting of advices through the northwes
within the coming two weeks. At least farmers
he thinks should be warned Of Whist is certain t.
result as to durum prices. Flax seed is, plentiful
4 and more can easily be planted and q flax cro]
may yield . profit when durum, under present pur
pose-tc-plant assuredly can not
So far, the price Of flax has not seemed to b
high enough to induce farmers to plant it, or Civ
sufficient return for the extra trouble its harvest
ing and threshing involves. The only plea tn
farmer will hear is q profitable price.