Milford chronicle., 1947-10-24
THE DAY OF "PUSH-BUTTON FARM

manufacturers! On the draftlng DOardS OF
many plant today, and in some instances
actually in the testing stage if not In full
production, are new implements which are
one-man operated, yet accomplish the normal
days work of half dozen farm hands.
Implement makers are now moving to
simplify the operation of their heaviest new
equipment. Hydraulic touch-controls are ap-
pearing on one manufacturers tractors and
mammoth self-propelled combines, enabling
the farmer to till and harvest more acres with
remarkably less exertion than ever before.
Another manufacturer is stressing tools
for the smaller farnn-a "cub" tractor de-
signed for farms of 40 acres and under, ap-
pealing to the garden farmer, and as an aux
iliary tractor on larger acreage. Orders have
poured in, requiring two or three years OF
production to fill.
An important line, too, is the mechanical
cotton picker, and specialized instruments
for use in rough, hilly terrain, in water-soak-
ed heavy rainfall areas, and in extra-tough
hard surface farm lands.
Coming up also is mechanical beet har-
vester that whisks off leaves, yanks the beet
from the ground and deposits it on a truck or
conveyor belt; self-propeled combine which
scoops up and bales windrowed hay in one
operation; one-man hay baler which accom-
plishes the work of three farm hands.
Scheduled to reach the farm market this
fall is one-row corn picker, developed for 40
to 80-acre farms. The picker is designed to
standardize costs on the smaller farm and to
pick from six to IL acres of corn daily.
Still another leading farm implement
maker emphasizes hydraulic touch controlled
equipment in his postwar line. The COM
pany's heavy duty, 3-4 plow tractor is now
in production, and is designed no utilize a
variety of labor-saving hydraulic controlled
implements
Record-breaking farm purchasing power
and scarce farm labor is the immediate in
spiration for this production, and overall is
the fact that American industry ploughs
back an ever-increasing part of its earnings
into research and development, which when
applied to the farm makes life easier, more
pleasant and productive.
Applied to our national economy, this
policy means more jobs for workers, more
products and constantly lowering costs fol
all consumers.
THE LATEST WAVE of price rises has
had the usual results. Everybody is looking
for scapegoat Business, labor, government
and agriculture have all passed the buck bacl
and forth among themselves. No group ad
mits that it is in any way responsible for in
fation-the fault always is laid at the doc
of the other fellow
This has produced a great deal of confu
sion among consumers who are eagerl!
searching for the villain responsible for high
er prices. Worst of all, it has tended to clOuC
the fact that present prices are an inevitabl
result of the economic pressures of the time
The nation is in an industrial boom. Wage
and all other costs, including taxes, are at al
all-time high. We are shipping enormou
quantities of goods abroad, which tends t
create ScarcitieS and consequently highe
prices in the American market. Our $3.50
O00,000,000 public debt is powerful infls
tionary factor. And, finally, the America
people want more and better goods of a
kinds.
1t will be particularly unjust if consume
. resentment is largely directed at the retaile
simply because he is on the firing line an
provides handy target. Retailing is not n
Sponsibe for high prices, and has taken pos
tive action to prevent prices from going eve
higher than they are. According to an al
! thoritative report, net profits, after taxes
department stores were but 81 percent {
sales in the six months ending July 31-leS
than half of the level attained in the san
period last year. Food chains have issue
summaries showing that their profits al
even less. Retailing is fighting initiation wit
every weapon available-but it can't achieN
the impossible. Price tags, in the vast m
jority of instances, are simply true refle
; tionS of 1947 economic conditions, and unt
those conditions change, cost of prOductiC
and prices will remain high.
N&@&&
q THE FUTURE of free enterprise is tt
!. future of America. And the future of ente
: prise is tied to the tax system under which
Y functions.
= : The people GO ahead as enterprise~is e
panded. Their level of living rises as ente
!. prise is built and rebuilt
The productive system is in constant ne
;. of replacement and rehabilitation. Supp
: these adequately, and it prospers. De-
2 them, and it dies.
For 60 years before the depression, abO
20 percent of total national production we
into canital formation The same percenta