The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-08-24

erty, the highest average intelligence,
the most generous education. which
ever blessed single commonwealth.
Sees Typical Changes
Here In West Branch can be found
all the milestones of the changes
which have come to American agri-
culture. Only mile from here is
the farm Of my Uncle Allen. where
spent. some years Of my boyhood.
That was Just at the passing stage Of
the great pioneer movement. Many
farms were still places where we till
ed the soil for the immediate needs
Of the families. We ground our
wheat and corn on toll at the mill;
We slaughtered our hogs for meat;
we wove at least a part of our own
clothing; we repaired our own ma
chinery; we got our own fuel from
the woods; we erected our own build.
ings; we made our own soap: we pre-
served our own fruit and grew our
own vegetables. Only a small part of
the family living came by purchases
from the outside. Perhaps 20 per
cent OF the products were sold in the
markets to purchase the small margin
Of necessities which we could not our.
selves produce, and to pay interest on
the mortgage.
In half century the whole basis
OF agriculture has shifted. We have
improved seed and livestock; we have
added long list Of mechanical inven-
tons for saving of labor; we have In
creased the productivity of the land.
And 1t has became highly special.
lied business. There Is no longer one
industry called farming, but in fact q
dozen industries. Probably over 80
per cent Of its products now go d.
rectly or Indirectly to the markets
and probably over 80 per cent of the
family living must be purchased from
outside. In the old days when prices
fuctuated In the Chicago market, at
most they affected only 20 per cent
Of the income of the farm, A violent
drop in prices could reduce the fam.
lily income by only four or FIVE per
cent. Today the same fiuctuation In
price, affecting as 1t does 80 per cent
to 100 per cent of the products of the
farm, can take rs or 80 per cent away
from the family net income and make
the difference between comfort and
freedom from anxiety, or on the other
hand. debts and discouragements.
do not suggest a return to the
greater security which agriculture en-
joyed in its earlier days, because with
that security were lover standards Of
living, greater toll, less opportunity
for leisure and recreation, less Of the
comforts Of home. less OF the JOY Of
living.
am often conscious of sentimental
regret for the passing Of those old
time conditions. I have sometimes
been as homesick for the ways OF
those self contained farm homes Of
forty years ago as have been for the
kindly folk who lived In them. But
know It Is no more possible to re-
vive those old conditions than Il is to
summon back the relatives and
friends in the cemetery yonder. While
we recognize and hold fast to what is
permanent in the old time conditions,
we must accept what is Inevitable In
the changes that have taken place. 1t
Is fortunate indeed that the principles
upon which our government was
founded require no alteration to meet
these changes.
Reveals Relief Plans
Just as there Is transformation IN
agriculture so there - fnsother In
dustry: just as there Is more special
cations on the farm, so there is IN
other industry. We i've today by the
exchange Of goods among ten thou.
sand sorts Of producers Of specialties.
A large number Of occupations which
were conducted on the farm In old
days are now conducted In the fac
tory. That is one reason why we
have decreasing proportion Of our
people on the farms, BY this revolu-
ton the American farmer has become
enmeshed in powerful and, yet deli
cate, economic forces which are work.
ing to his disadvantage.
In my acceptance speech ten days
ago made an extended statement up
on the legislative proposals for relief
to the agricultural industry which the
Republican party has put forward in
its platform. You would not wish me
to take your time to review that state
ment I should, however, Hike to en-
phasize that the spirit Of those legis-
lative proposals is to work out more
economical and stable marketing sys-
tenn. A federal farm board is to be
set up with the necessary powers and
resources to assist the industry to
meet not alone the varied problems
Of today, but those which may arise
IN the future. My fundamental con.
cept of agriculture g one controlled
by Its own members organized to fight
It's own economic battles and to de-
termine its own destfnies. Nor do !
speak Of organization In the narrow
sense Of traditional farm co-operatives
or:pools, but In the much wider sense
Of sound marketing organization. It
is not by these proposals intended to
put the government into the control
Of the business Of agriculture. nor TO
subsidize the prices Of farm products
ana pay the losses thereon either by
the federal treasury or by tax or fee
on the farmer. We propose with gof-
ernmental assistance and an initial
advance Of capital 10 enable the agIt
cultural industry to reach stature Of
modern business operations by which
the farmer will attain his independ-
ence and maintain his individuality.
And upon this whole question !
should like to repeat from my accept
ance speech that: