Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1944-08-04

effect, it also casts doubt upon the
position taken by President Roose-
welt.
Important Data Omitted
Although the piece goes through
the motions Of weighing carefully
all factors involved, its presentation
leaves out of consideration the most
important and relevant data, name
ly, portrayal of the conditions which
have given the South its tremendous
determination to remove the handi-
caps that have retarded its indus
trlallzation, and the importance to
southern agriculture that these
handicaps be removed.
But not only does the department
of agriculture presentation omit i'm
portant facts, it subtly distorts
some OF the data which it presents.
For instance, it shows that first
class freight rates are 80 per cent
higher in the South than in Eastern
lndustrialized territory, and all
class rates taken together 80 per
cent higher, but then goes on to
minimize the significance of these
facts. 1t recites that average reve-
nue. per ton-mile in the South is only
SIS per cent greater than in the
East, without making it clear that
this is due largely to lower grade
freight carried on southern roads.
Nor does it anywhere envisage the
advantages which would accrue
from lower class rates.
This intensely lopsided presenta-
ton suggests that the railroads may
have influenced the department Of
agriculture, perhaps through the
fundamentally of large agricultural
shippers, upon whom they have
been working hard to oppose the
southern governors conference.
The truth is that a majority of
the people of the South, and many
In the West, have come to the reali-
cation that without greater indus
trialization their sections cannot
hope to have the same advantages
in education and material culture
as the people of the East and Middle
West. Poverty, illiteracy, bad
health, ignorance will continue to
Cypress large percentage of the
people of the South and West until
average income is raised through
development of industry. Until then
local governments cannot give their
people the same advantages as
people in other parts of the country.
Other Sections Unhurt
In no way can the industrialization
OF the South and West hurt the farm
ers of those areas. By increasing
average income, industry will in
crease the consuming capacity Of
the South and West for all of the
things the farmer grows. 1t can
mean only the development of rich
er markets nearer to the farms.
1ndustrialization of one region never
Injuries the farmers of another re-
gion, but only expands the markets
for the things he ships.
Even the big shippers, some Of
whom have been told that commodi-
ty rates might be raised if class
rates were equalized, would not be
losers, but would gain from in
creased prosperity anywhere.
True, progress has been made
by industry in the South, even un-
der the handicap of a 80 per cent
class rate discrimination. Removal
Of this handicap would support one
of the chief hopes we have of main
tanning high level of employment
and income after the war.
Those who understand the great
struggle between the small farmers
and the big farmers, see in this
freight rate situation just another
phase Of the conflict. By increasing
the economic standards Of the
South, many small farmers would
be enabled to operate more
profitably, and enjoy more Of the
advantages of this modern age. On
the other hand, by holding back the
industrial growth Of the South, many
more small farmers would be forced
to become hired hands on the grow
inI plantations Of the large farmers.