Evening star., 1933-11-07

can only hope to Gov. Olson
help him as to fu-
ture prices. No hope lies in 1t for the
obtaining of fair prices, whether they
be based on parity or cost OF produc-
ton, for the commodities now In the
possession of the farmer.
When, If ever, the plan affects future
prices, most of the farmers will prob
ably have lost their farms or their
opportunity to ever clear themselves
OF debt.
While the Federal farm credit or
ganizations are making very cred
table effort to ref1nance the farmer,
the mere changing OF the name OF ms
creditors will in no sense solve MS
problem The only way his problem
can be solved is by giving him a price
for his commodities which represents
such decent profit as will give him
buying power And unless his buying
power Is restored we might as well give
up our efforts for industrial recovery
No government in history has ever
succeeded in solving crisis In its
affairs by depending entirely upon the
voluntary action of its people. That
is true in times of peace as well as
in times of war In times OF war
this Government has never hesitated
to regulate the affairs Of its people
poverty, as has been often said, is a
greater war than any military conflict
in which we have ever been engaged.
II absolutely requires compulsory action.
Marketing Limited.
This, the Governors sought through
Federal price fixing and market re-
striction of the amount that any pro-
ducer could sell upon the open mar
ket. Under our plan, If the farmer
was only able to sell three-fourths OF
his crop, he would get much more for
the three-fourths he would be per-
mitted to sell than for his entire crop
which he is not permitted and is at
ready depressed.
Under our plan marketing Is limited,
and not productions; but If marketing
Is limited, the production control Is
inevitable. The surplus would remain
ON the farm instead of being thrown
on the market. Most of the surplus
could be consumed by the farmer
himself on the farm That which
could not be consumed by him could
be purchased by the Federal Emer-
gency Relief Administration for feed
ing those who are now on or entitled
to public relief
Middle West approve our plan. I
believe that the great majority of
farmers approve it. believe that all
the farmers would approve it If 1t
could be explained to them. If the
same efforts were used to put it over
as is being used to put over the volln-
tary schemes of the Department Of
Agriculture it could be explained sat-
isfactorily to the farmer.
Congress Is Factor.
believe Secretary of Agriculture WAL
lace and his colleagues to be sincere.
but / believe they are more apprehensive
as to the reactions In some quarters
from the carrying out of our plan than
they are doubtful as to the practicable
1ty OF it, They are hesitant at attempt
Ing it without direct mandate from
Congress
In view Of the diverse interests rep-
resented in Congress, some of which are
antagonistic to the farmer, the attitude
Congress will take at it's next session is
too speculative to warrant any predic-
tion.
The Governors do not believe our trip
was fruitless- We believe that Wash
1ngton now has clearer picture Of the
plight of agriculture and that the De-
partment Of Agriculture itself realizes
It's present plan must be changed or
improved upon. hope that change and
improvement will come soon.
The farmers have a constitutional
right to strike. AS a matter of fact, if
all Of them could and would withhold
their products from the market and
would market them on planned basis,
preferably through cooperative organi-
cations of their own, the prices of farm
commodities would increase.
Must Control Market.
The fact Is that they will never have
any security until they own the market
places in which and at which their
products are sold The main trouble
with the plans Of the Secretary of Agri-
culture is that he is seeking to create
a condition under which the law OF
supply and demand, as juggled by spec
ulators,. will operate to the advantage
OF the farmer. 1t never has and never
will operate to his advantage until hi
controls the market place.
I am sure the Holiday Association
realizes 1t is imperative that the farm.
ers present a united front, and that any
strike procedure which results in fight.
ing among themselves will make such
united front impossible.
A fair advance in prices to the farme
Will nOJ JEe consumer. Inere J.
very little direct connection between tn
price of raw farm products and tn
price Of finished farm products. Fo
example, there have been periods whel
wheat has been higher in price than !
is today and at the same time brea.
was lower in price than it is today. Al
increase in the price of beef or hogs ol
the hoof would be reflected in an in
crease in the price of the choicer cut
of beef and hogs, which are purchase
by people who can afford to pay an in
creased price
The consumer Of limited means VIII
Is endeavoring to purchase within hi
means is unable at present hog and bee
prices to buy the choicer cuts of bee
and pork. The advance in the prices c
the beef or pork that the consumer {
limited means now buys would be yer
slight.
The farmer needs paint and hardwar
for his buildings, he needs leather good
he needs clothing: he needs great de,
OF all kinds Of things. Give him ir
creased prices and he viii be able |
buy and will buy. The tremendot
buying power thus thrown on til
American market win increase produt
ton by Industrial enterprises; viii II
crease employment, and will increas
all retail business. The benefits tn,
resulting will greatly exceed any disae
vantage to the consumer through ar
increase in the prices of the farm con
modities that he now buys at retail.
(Copyright. 1888. By North American New
paDer Alliance. Inc)