The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-11-27
Louis Taber Recites Basic
Aspirations Of the Rural
Population
By LOUIS J. TABER
Master, National Grange

(ESCcrpts EroHl SNee'Sss
Annual Session, Columbus, o.
As, the air clears after our po-
litical storm, it is apparent that
the basic challenges affecting US
remain uncorrected. World peace
is the greatest problem before
mankind. Unemployment is the
greatest single issue in America,
Each of these problems is yet to
find satisfactory solution. Back
of peace and unemployment the
question Of food, clothing and shell
ter remains of primary imporr.
lance. Agriculture is the. bedrock
and source not only Of raw ma
tcrials essential for life and hap.
piness, but is the balance wheel
and the stabilizer in periods of up
lance not given to other calllngs,
hcaval.
Rural life asks no special assis-
but real farmers have a right to
demand an opportunity for con,
tinucd development, growth, and
the assurance that agriculture Will
enjoy a square deal and fair meas
ure of the rewards of life. The
basic aspirations Of our rural popu-
lation can be roughly grouped UNI
der four general heads:
|. A permanent national policy
for rural life.
2. Organization and co-opera-
ton to defend the interests of ag-
riculture.
8. Stability of income suffici-
ent to maintain satisfactory
standard of living for the farmer
and his family.
4. Educational, social and spirit
ual opportunities for growth,
health and happiness. E.
Agriculture asks for equality
rather than favors. We want
economic justice rather than SUBJ
sidy. Until the government re-
moves special favors it has grant
ed other groups, or until the farm
er'S handicaps are leSsened, gov
eminent assistance will be re-
nutNN'
Regardless Of government policy
or organization, unless the farmer
can receive q price sufficient to
maintain decent standard Of
living, no program can succeed.
While we want to increase farm
production, the farmer has no de-
sire to grow two pounds of fiber
or two bushels of grain just to
enable other groups to make, the
additional profit OF to give en-
ployment in the handling of his
products. In short, we must main
tain rural price structure that
will give an income that will en-
uble the farmer to pay his debts,
and enjoy the opportunities of this
age.
To stabilize and increase farm
income requires better marketing
methods, lower production costs,
tariff adjustments, sound none
tary structure and host of other
problems, some of them leglSla-
tive, some economic, all Of which
demand adjustment and develop
ment. =.
Our Grange fathers demanded
Tariff for all, or tariff for none"
and on that program we have con-
sistently battlcd through the years.
The farmer has not received equal
direct benefit from the tariff
structure, because most of our
basic commodities, like wheat and
cotton, have their prices detcrmin-
ed largely by the world markets.
Thus in many cases the farmer
has paid increased production
costs caused by the tariff without
corresponding benefit. 1t is in
deed unfortunate that America
has continually treated the tariff
as a political rather than an eco
nomic problem.
The Grange has long contended
that the farmer is q consumer as
well as a producer, We oppose
any tariff rates so high that they
breed monopoly or grant undue
profits, or burden the consuming
public. There should be a gradual
lowering of some excessive
rates. :.
Modern civilization compels gov
ernments to be more complex and
also more expensive, but the cost
of government has reached the
danger point. The crying need of
the hour is economy, reorganiza-
ton and efficiency, Every citi-
zen should be compelled to make
q contribution to government in
accordance with his ability to pay
and benefits received. We must
broaden our base Of taxation be-
cause farms and homes and the
small business man are now car
rying a crushing load. The first
step is to develop sound thinking
toward debt. -.
There is duplication and over.
tapping, emphasizing the demand
for immediate and thorough re-
organization Of the entire mach
inery of our federal government.
Agriculture must be on guard
when this takes place, to see that
the interests Of our calling are
protected. We must demand that
all land use problems be conferred
in the department of agriculture.
Forestry and soil conservation
must be retained in this depart
ment and related bureaus trans