The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-29
Boyle on Farm Board

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Prof. James Boyle, for many years a member Of the
North Dakota university faculty and now professor Of
rural economy, Cornell university, has many kind words
to say for the Federal Farm board in an article appear
ing in the January number of Review of Reviews.
President Hoover has always believed that cooperative
marketing rather than price-fixing would solve the slump
in which agriculture has been plunged since the end OF
the World war more than ten years ago.
1t is very natural then, Professor Boyle points out, that
Hoover should name Eight jealous believers in cooper
alive marketing" That theory OF marketing within the
next few years will have the greatest test in history. The
Farm board has $500 900 back of it and more should
the exigency arise.
AS the writer points out, while there are many strings
to the Farm boards bow, only one was used during the
first five months of its existence, that is its power to
loan money to cooperative associations. -Four loans were
made, the fourth, one Of the largest, was s500OO 0 to the
North Observation-Disclosures Wheat pool and concerning
which George Duis. of Grand Forks, is quoted in the
article as saying:
This advance will very greatly aid us. also, in carry
ing the wheat of our members and in holding bsc, from
market such wheat until such time as better prices pre-
vail"
Despite the enthusiasm of those interested in cooper
alive marketing ventures for this farm relief legislation
Professor Boyle finds the farmers are either skeptical or
entirely ~apathetic as regards the operations of the Fed
eral Farm board. Members of congress are very much
Of a divided opinion, he also discovers.
Readers will recall that Senator Glass, of Virginia, in
a recent public address denounced the law creating the
Farm board, declaring it means merely "a new bunch
of bureaucrats to poster the farmer"
The other side OF the picture is voiced by Secretary
of Agriculture Hyde in these words:
I'm all the history of America, there has been no pro-
gram and no legislation in aid of any industry compar-
able with it."
How we'll the job will be done is purely speculative at
this writing. The Farm board has not been given suffi-
cient time in which to function to prove its ultimate
worth, If any.
Even its opponents must agree, however, that its men,
bership is such as to invite confidence of the agricul-
tursts. Failure. If that rather than success comes, will
be because Of insurmountable economic barriers which
have blasted many a ell-intentioned program of farm
relief.
The board cannot move any faster than the farmers,
though the various organizations are willing or able to
accept the program as laid down. Chairman Legge, of
the board, has emphasized this point many times.
Abraham Lincoln boiled down into q few words the
theory of law enforcement in this sentence:
bad laws, If they exist should be repealed as soon as
possible; still, while they continue In force, for the sake of
example, they should be ~religiously observed"
About the only thing scarcer than hens teeth are
pretty girls who don't know 1t.
A man never thinks health is wealth after swapping
health for wealth.
Women never will be mems equals until men object
to being kissed.