Milford chronicle., 1927-05-13
Glendale
The Tomato Problem

farmer over many of the rough
places in life.
The situation today is far different
and in some years crops of tomatoes
are allowed to rot in the fields for
want of a buyer. The Gamer can not
nav a price which would yield the
grower any profit, whatever, unless
the Gamer sells canned goods at d
nrice below the cost of packing,
which of course he is not going to
do. if he can possibly help it.
We understand that the warehouses
of the packers in the United States
are full of canned goods which they
are unable to move at fair price,
Why are the packers and farmers
of the country in this unsatisfactory
condition?
1t is said that the italian farmer
can grow tomatoes at Dne-fourth Oh
the cost at which the American far-
mer can produce them. Why this dlf-
ference? The answer in part is Ia
bor cost. The farmers of Italy pay
five cents per hour for labor, while
American farmers pay twenty-five to
thirty cents per hour for same class
of work. The outcome is the TACT
that the Italian packer can put up
the same class of goods at price
which would cost the home Gamer
four times as much to pack. The
rate of freight from Italy to New
York is not any more, Clf as mucnJ
on a case of tomatoes, than the
freight rate by railroad from Del
mar to same point. The distance
from italy to New York being some
thing like four thousand miles;
while the distance from Delmar 10
same place scarcely more than two
hundred and twenty-five miles. we
know IFS costs the railroad more per
mile to transport the goods hut Is
NOT the difference in rate and uls-
tance too great to ever be overcome
and the American farmer able TO
comnete with the farmers beyond
the sea.
The American markets are hooded
with the cheap Italian goods, whlch
are sold at a price far below the
cost which either the farmer or can
ners of the United States can grow
or pack them. ...
This is supposed to be country
where protection to American IN
dustries exist. If this is ture where
does the farmer come in? Congress
gaye to the President of the united
States discretionary powers to ao-
vance or lower the tariff when AM
erican goods were being driven from
the home markets by the stock man
ufactured in Europe with cheap Ia
Dor.
IF the President has this power
why don't he use it and place the
tariff on packed tomatoes, coming
from foreign sources, so high that IL
will protect the American farmer
and allow him to grow once more dl
a profit the luscious tomato.
Is it any wonder, taking IN con-
sideration the present condition OF
the farming interests of the country
that hundreds of our tollers are
leaving the farms to seek more re-
munerative employment elsewher!
It is not unusual in passing through
the country to see vacant farms al
many points.
IF this outflow of farmers contln'
ues for any length of time, the peo'
nile of this country will awaken tC
the fact ere many years have pass
nd. that there is a scarcity OF 1000
being produced; not only for them
selves but for those abroad who are
denendent on the United States for
large part of their daily 1000.
why not do something to protec'
the farmer and keep him on I'M
land. where with equal chances witt
other protected industries, he pre-
fers to be?
When will the dirt farmer awakel
tn the fact that he has the power U
remedy many of the evils now exist
ing and bring about many improve
ments in his conditions from a flnan
cial standpoint, if he will only US
it? Will he do it? Time will tell.
Must Bond For Public Service
The writer desires to make las
appeal to the citizens of Ellendale
before they cast their ballots o.
next Saturday, May 14th. ;,
The question which is to be ue
cided on that date is, whether o
not the town of Glendale shall lssu
honds to the amount of seven thous
and dollars for improvements whlc
are badly needed at this time.
The Community Hall and FIT
House combined is needed; becaus
we have no place of any kind wher
the public can meet and discus
those problems, for the best interes
of the town.
Our present needs require that on
of the large electric light companle
shall extend their wires to our town
so that we can be in a position I
offer to the industries which ma
wish to settle here cheap power
which at the present time is cleo
tricity.
It will not be long before the Koh
Ter Motors. now supplying power TO
the lighting of the streets, will hav
to be replaced with new ones. Tn
life of these motors we understan'
is about two years. Would it not b
cheaper to have a power wnlcl
would be permanent in its nature
than to be buying new dynamos ev
cry two years? We feel quite sure l
would.
Some persons will use for an ar
gument, that the taxes on propert,
within the limits of the corporation
will be greately increased, if tn
contemplated Improvements are al
lowed.
We don't believe any thing of tn
kind; but we do believe if the pres
ent rate of taxation is continues
without any increase whatever,
should produce revenue sufficient t
care for the streets of Ellendale an
create a sinking fund, which woul
4oIro oora of tba hondc and aoorue