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Some Aspec - & 2LiJ.J5.WJL * I 1 : By BERNARD . - * ^ I (Reprinted from Ai il I The whole rural world is !n a ferment r>f unrest, and there is ;tn un- , paralleled volume ?nd intensity of de- ] termined, if not an^rv, protest, and an i ominous swarming of occupational o<>n- < ferences, interest irroupinirs, political ' movements :ind propaganda. Such :i turmoil cannot ;it arrest our attention. Indeed, it demands our careful stu<ly and examination. It is not like- t . ly that six million aloof and ruggedly | < independent men have come together ! > and banded themselves into active j i unions, societies, farm bureaus, and so J ' forth, for no sufficient cause. Investigation of the subject conclusively proves that, while there is much ( overstatement of grievances and misconception of remedies, the farmtf*s t are right in complaining of wrongs ! long endured, and ri^lit iri holding that t it is feasible to relieve their ills with benefit to the rest of the community. 1 This being the case of an industry . that contributes, in the raw material ! I form alone, about one-third of the na- J tional annual wealth production and I ' i is the means of livelihood of about 40 , 1 per cent of the population, it is ob- r vious that the subject is one of grave ; concern. Not only do the farmers ; make up one-half of the nation, but j the well-being of the other half de- i t pends upon them. j j So long as we have nations, a wise \ politcial economy will aim at a Ian,'e j degree of national self-sufficiency and j 1 self-containment. Home fel! when the j * food supply wcs too far removed from i the belly. Like her, we shall destroy ( our own agriculture and extend our \ sources of food distantly and precari- f ously, if we do not- see to it that our g formarp ara woll nnH fnirlv n:ii<5 for their services. The farm gives the nation men as well as food. Cities ; derive their vitality and are forever 1 r renewed from the country, but an im- c poverished countryside exports intelli- f gence and retains uriintelligence. ; v Only the lower grades of mentality s and character will remain on, or seek, j } the farm, unless agriculture is capable j , of being pursued with contontir.ent and ; v adequate compensation. Hence, to em- | * * * -i i ?" outer anu iuipuv?rnsu mc iuiuici u> i<> > dry up and contaminate the vital sources of the nation. I v The war showed convincingly how j dependent the nation is on the fuil d productivity of the farms. Despite p herculean efforts, agricultural produc- i, tion kept only a few weeks or months >. ahead of consumption, and that only hv infrMsin? the acreage of certain staple crops at the cost of reducing l ( that of others. We ought not to for- c tret that lesson when we ponder on (1 the farmer's problems. They are trui; r common problems, and there should !: be no attempt to deal with them as f if they were purely selfish demands ; c of a clear-cut group, antagonistic t^ | r the rest of the community. Rather ! I ^ should we consider agriculture in the ; f light of broad national policy, just i a^ we consider oil, coal, steel, dye- 1 stuffs, and so forth, as sinews of na- j e tional strength. Our growing popula- j ( t.ion and a higher standard <>f living ! o demand increasing food supplies, and [ r more wool, cotton, hides, and the rest. ! v With the disappearance of free or j ,, cheap fertile land, additional acreage J and increased yields can come only ' from costly effort. This we need m>t > r> expect from an impoverished or un- j T happy rural population. : yit i f It will not d4 a' nar?^;viftw i 11 of the rural or to <?(($!Stsfe j e it from the standpoint of yesterday. i This is peculiarly an aire of flux and j .. change and new dents. Because a | 0 thing always has heen so no longer J $ means that it is righteous, or always i e shall be so. More, perhaps, than ever ! s before, there is a widespread feeling ! that all human relations can be ini- j proved by taking thouglft, and thatjt ! t is not becoming for the reasoning ani- j (. nial to leave his destiny largely to ! ? cJtinnce and natural incidence. j n Prudent anij orderly adjustment of ! (l production and distribution in accord- | (j nnce with consumption is recognized j c US AVls^t* Management ia oa * I but that of farming. Yet, I venture j j, to say, there is no other industry in i v which it is so important t? the pub- ! j, lie?to the city-dweller?that produc- I ^ tlon should he sure, steady, and in- ,, rreaslnjr, and that distribution should t be in proportion to the need. The tin- t organized fanners naturally act blindly and impulsively and. in o<?nse- ? quence, surfeit find dearth, aecompa- 1j, ried by disconcerting price-variations, j e larass tlie consumer, use jear jnua- 0 toes rot in the fields because of excess production, and there is a scarcity of 1; the things tiiat have been displaced t<? make way f?>r the expansion of ;h*' j potato af-reajre: next yoar tlie punish- s p<! fanners mass their Yields <>n some s nthpr oivrt. and potatoes enter \ the doss of luxuries: and s?? t n. | Agriculture is the greatest, and fun- I , d'linentally the most important of our ; American industries. The cities :iv<> s hut the branches of the tree of na- j tional life, the roots of which go deep]y into the ladd. We all flourish or s decline wirh the farmer. So when vre j . of the c-itles read of the present nni- j . versa 1 dimness of the formers. 3 { j ulunip of six billion dollars 5n the fart?: [ , value of their crops In a single year, : _ f p6 ? *1 is or the 9 F& 1 1 M. BARUCH , 1 W ..1 1.1?V CiaiUlC 31onir.:y; >i uitfir in; ;:n:.y r:> men m? > Lo nay current bills, and Imw, set'kir eiiet' l'rcm their ids, they arc p5a: linu form inauirurare fan . rs' strikes, and demand !e^islati? ibolishin:; Lrrain exchanges, privai ai;le markets, and the life, we ouu'l ? ??!? 1 ? IH.IM o/'Anatn I??i IJ.IXlll I" 'id 14*4 s !!*. > *? ? vvui'lll leretics an>i highwaymen. anil hurl ; hem the charge of being seekers i privilege. llather, we shoul isk if their trmilile is n?<t ours, an <ee what can be done to improve il situation. Purely from self-inieres t' for no higher motive, we shoul ie!p thorn. All of us want to got ba<. permanently to "normalcy;" but is easonahle to l.ope for that cc.nditb mless our greatest ;m<l most basic i: lustry can be put ??n a sound and soli leruianent foundation? The farinei i!*e not entitled to special privily*; ?ut are they not risrht in demandin hat they he placed on an equal foo with the buyers of their produci md with other industries? II Let us, then, consider some of tl* "nrmer's grievances, and see how fa hey are real. In doinj: so, we shonl 'eineinoer ruat. wniie tnere nave uec !))(] still ure, instances of purp?sefi ibuse, the subject should not be a] jroached with any general imputati< o existing distributive agencies of d< iberately intentional oppression, In ather with the conception that tl: narketing of farm products has n< >een modernized. An ancient evil, and a persistei >ne, is the undergrade of farm pro< icts, with the result that what Hi artners sell as of one qualify is r ;old as of a higlier. That this sort < hlcanery should persist on any in >ortnnt scale in these days of bus less integrity would seem almost ii Tt*$il)le, but there is much evident hat it does so persist. Even as vrite, the newspapers announce th uspensio? of several firms from tli sew York Produce Exchange for e: lortinc; to Germany as Xf>. '2 wheat thole shipload of grossly inferior wiie? ci\*ed wi*h oafs, chaff ami the like. Another evil is tl^at of inaccurat weighing of farm products, which, ! * charged, is sometimes a matter c ishonest intention and sometimes < irotective policy on the part of th ecal buyer, who fears that he ma weign out ni??rp iiKiu iik wt'igns ui. A greater grievance is that at pre; nt the field farmer has little or n octroi over the time and condition if marketing his products, with th esult that he is often underpaid fn lis products and usually overcharge or marketing service. The d;?ei nee between what the farmer r< eives and what the consumer pay ftpn exceeds all possibility of inst icatit'll. To cite a single illns?ratioi ,ast year, according to figures attes d by the railways and tlie grower! Georgia watermelon-raisers receive n tlie average T."> cents f^r a ineloi he railroads got 12.7 cents for earn ng it to Iialtiniore and the consume aid one dollar, leaving ~(.VS c^nis fo lie service ?>f marketing and its risk: s against 20.2 cents t>?r growing un ran spotting. The hard annuls <. ayrD-life* are replete with such con / id vu ci?r vx uutu^oo vi jiic* nt- practices. Nature prescribes that the farmer' goods'* must be finished within tw r three months <>f the year, whil inancial and storage limitations gei rally compel him to sell them at th ame time. As a rale, other Industrie re in a continuous process of linisl ns goods for the markets; they di< ribute as they produce, and thev ea nrtfiil production without too grea injury t'> themselves or ti;e comn;-* !iry: but it' the fanner restricts hi iitp.it, it is with disastrous cons* uences, both to himself and to th ommunity. The average fnrm^r Is busy wit rrod action for the major part of th ear, and hns nothing to sell. Th ulk of hi5; output comes on the mai ;et at once. J>eeause or lack of st<>j pe facilities and of financial sunpor he farmer cannot carry his good hrougli the year arid dispose of thei s they are currently needed. In th rent majority of cases, farmers hav o entrust storage?in warehouses s:n levators?and rhe financial carrvin if their products to others. Farm products are generally ma: :eted at a time when there is a cor esiion of both transportation :in inance?when '. rs and money ar carre. rI'he outcome, :n marv }r taJtces. is that th.p farmers not on: el I under pressure, and therefore .-i : <]"?ativania^e, hut are eonn>eIh*d t ake further reductions in net return; n order to meet tin* charsres f'??r Hi ervice <?f sT<,rintr. .transporting, I'.nnm ri^, ami !ilt;inat?? marketing?wl'ic harjjes they claim, are often exc?? ive. hear heavily <?n both consumc in.l ])roi;ijce.\ and nre under ti;e ; <?: rol of tIt^?-e yorfori::in'-i the service r is true that are relived < ].?' rlsl.'s C o'.nri^'rns: marker b c'liii;^ u: once : i>ut they are quite wh 'n tho UTlf.'i vor.llde *#* , if : :if <??H. :i:-iI !!;i;rs :ifl?i they <ti ! for ihe.*i>elves ;j part i>l' the >erv.Ve ?l.iirp-s that an.* umforns, in ;: <>(! wars and bail, with . prices low. While. in the ni;:in. the fanner must ~e!f, rrjranMess of market ? <??i<IiI i?<i-s. at the time ot' rhe maturity of crops, he c; in not suspend production in tcto. lit; III ll>* "il {>rn(|;jcin^ i i' j it? Is l<> ?<> on living, and if tin* \\<>r!<J i:; t<> exist. T'iP in.).-': lie ejjn do is t?> eurrail production a linie <>r alter i?< f^rm, and I hat?because lie is In i h*? dark ;is to the probable drtnar.d f??r his p??nls? may bo only to jump from r!ie fry in;: pan into ti>e fire, diking the consumer n with him. |<F Kven I he dairy farmers. whose output i> not seasonal, complain lh::t the*' find themselves at ;t iiis:ii'v;ini:i^e in ,n J lie marketing <>f their produrtions, fH esp?H-ia-ly raw milk, because of the lii.uh oo>is of distribution, which they jc mu?H ultimately hear. it >f' "I 1 1 f n>T?mi*c qpo %f ilT'T? IU - ?* - - irl r!:itik5:trr. :ind miitina never before ie t<> eradicate these inequalities. they t, are subjected t?> -icni economic iec!(J lures, ; ::?! are mei with the accusation k that they are demanding. ant] are tlie it recipients of, special privileges. Let ?n us see \v!i:it privileges 'lie government n- has conferred on tiie farmers. Much (] has been made of Section (5 of the rs Clayton Anii-Tn;st Act, wliich pur;; ported to permit them io combine with i? immunity, under certain conditions, t* Admitting that, nominally, this exls ein'tri-n was in rhe nature of a special j privilege,?though I think it was so in i appearance rather than in fart.?wo : (i:sf 1 that the courts have nullified it ,e ! hy judicial interpretation. Why should |r j !!ot the fanners he permitted to accomplish !?y co-operatiw methods what ^ , >ther businesses are already (loins by co-operation in the form of Incorporail tion? If it be | roper for men to form, [)- by fusion of exist ins. corporations or in otherwise, a corporation that controls g. ; the entire production ot n etKumouiry. lt : or a lar^e part of it. why is it iu>i , proper for a jrroup of farmers to unite i for tiie market in? of thc'r common ; products, either in one or in several i selling agencies? Why should it he 11 ! ri?ht for a hundred thousand corporate J- . shareholders to direct 23 or 30 or 40 ie per cent of an in lustrv, and wrong for - i i hundred thousand co-operative C~ 1 ' ^ : farmers t ? control u no larger propor! J ion of the wlie; t crop, or cotton, or , ; ;iny other prod net? The Department of Agriculture is a- i i often spoken i f as a special concession e : to the farmers, hut in it?, commercial * j results, it is of as much benefit to the e | buyers and consumers of agricultural ib j products as t<> mo pn?uiK-ers. m ?.-*? u s- j more. I do not suppose that anyone a ' opposes the benofits that the farmers lf | derive from the educational and rej search work of t'ne department. or rlie : iieln I!mt ir irives rliem working out O 1 . improved cultural methods and praci rices in deve!ni>iu.<! I?eiier yielding v.v ^ i rieties tiir breeding ar.d selection, 'f j in introducing n?w varieties from re? ! mote parts <>f the world and adapting y | thorn to our climate and economic con* " j ditiori. and in devising practical nieass. ! ures for the elimination <-r control of ! dangerous nod destructive animal and I) ! plant diseases, insect pests, and the LS | like. All these things manifestly tend 1 to stimulate and nlnriro production, 'r j and their general beneficial effects are Ci j ODVIOUS. r- | ft is complained ih.it, whereas (hp >- | law restricts Federal Reserve banks s j to three niunth.s' time for {- ; paper, the fanner Is allowed six , ! months on hfs notes. This is not :i i. | ! special privilege. but merelv siu-h a f. i recognition of business conditions as N ! makes it possible f<?r country names ; to d> business with country people, i. J The crop fanner has only nn?? turn* j over a year, while the merchant ami t I manufacturer have many. Incidental,r 1 Iy, I note that the Feder.il Reserve : Hoard has just authorised the Fed *>r:tl Reserve hanks to n-seouni expon l! I , I r paper for a penou <r srix nioruus, to I conform to the nature of the busi) ness. ? The \ r?? as an instance, of special -.gmerp'S ! ment favor for farmers. Are they not o ! rather the outcome of laudable efforts e j to equalize rural ami urban condii. ! lions? And about all the government e j does there is to help set up an ad,s j ministrati-ve organization and lend a I little credit at the start. Eventually J the farmers will provide all the eapin ! tal and carry all the liabilities tliemf i selves. It is true that Farm Loan - * . hut- ci'i o j. j li.intis ;;:*t* i.t.\ i-.v.-ni|n , i..1L ? l b'-nds of municipal lii'I-t and tract Sod ! pianis. un(l now liousiric: is to 1>p oxe i empt from taxation, in New York, for j ten years. h I On the other hand, the farmer reads f, | of plans for municipal housing proj(j ; oct< t::::t riin into tiie billions, of liun?. ! clrods ..f minions annually spent on .. . 1 p. !(:. merchant marine; i:e riMns in<u ; ri1railways arc being favored with s | in-.-rensed rates and virtual guaranties (i , of earning* 1 >y the government, with e j the result t" hi:n of an :n<*reased toll 0 j un all 11?iit he sells an<! all that he (! j l?uys Ho hears <f many u?;tnifesta^ j i;o?i< of governmental concern for parj ticular industries and Interests. Res?. ! cuing 'he railways from insolvency is nwi.?nhrp<iiv for the benefit of the 1- I <] ; c<>!!J11ry ;is a \vh< !< . hut what cnn be t. i of general benefit than enc.uirj. ' aireusent n* :?nn>ie production <.f the v principal necessaries <>f :1nd their t even M.nv l'n.ai contented prouueers t<> (l j satislietl Com um?*i > ; < j While it may he eoneerted that j governmental aid :i:av he neee-sary in :he general inl^re.^t. we must li ill auree that It is difficult to <ee \v!iy 5. agriculture and the j?r?i?>n and dis,j. irihurion <?f farm products* are ri t accorded the same opporumi :ie$ liiar are y nmvided f"r wilier businesses; esr?e ,f c'n'i;.' :!* t 1i*t Hnjovmont l?y t!i?* fanner ! t>f iY.>{>'sr:)n Ifi ^- \v? ;jM :i??j#-*s?r to i * i. ie t". i*;i up :*i ry to tue ,'en ?w.'iijjrrrr irwr-u-w??'i> tw^tyjirrjyr.f j i ?pygr p-rn! ?r' r,?1 t!.:?n i!? -1,? <:?- "> ?if r.t!:p'> I iiu!i'iif < A:::on<'uzi ! (jfi:n?c.;i<-y is il!!.?Ii< *:I!11 \ opposed, ! tn rliMCii-t] s;u'cj.'t pi i\ili'i'ir j;xl 1 to the spscisl privilege of unequal op- i portunity that arises automatically from the failure to corier.t glaring economic inequalities. I ;int oji;> s*mI to the j:iJ ?ii?>11 of yovernrnrnr ini?> business, 5 11r I <!o believe th:it it is an r e*S('n!i:il fi:::eriun of democratic aov* f I li I lli't I L CV V'I'I.U \ft\~ far as it is within lis power to <i > so. j whether I?v t lie repeal of archaic 1 statutes <>r the enactment <>f rnnoern ones. If the aari-trnst laws keep the : farmers from endeavoring scientifically i?i iate^raJe their industry while other j i itiflusiries find .1 way t<? meet modern condition* without violating such siatnfes then ir would seem reasonable to lind ;i way f?>r the farmers to meet : tile!:! under the 11conditions. The law sii'iiili] operate etjually in f;?ct. lit?- . p.i .ri;i'4 !i'ih economic structure on ">ne ; side i> no injustice t-t the oilier side, , j which is in ?rooj| repair. i We have traveled a long way from i the <.ld concepti-n of government as I merely a defensive and policing agency; : : and regulative, corrective, or equalise- | S inir Iegislatrm. which apparently is of | a special nature, is often <>f the most ; general henelicia! consequences. Even ; rlie First Congress passed a tariff act ! that was avowedly fee the protection J of manufacturers; hut a protective tariff always has been defended as a j means of promoting the general good ' through :i particular approach;. ami ! the statute books are filled with acts i | for the benefit of shipping, commerce, j and labor. ' I , IV Xow. what is the farmer asking? Without trying to catalogue the re; medial measures that have b?vn sng- j | jested in liis behalf, the principal pro j jms.-ils that boar directly on nio un of his distributes and mar- , i keiiru: relations may be summarized :is ! f. I lows :? | 1 First: storage warehouses for rot-> ! ton. wool, and tobacco, and elevators i for jrrain, of sufficient capacity to meet ' the maximum demand on them at the ; peak of the marketing period. The j farmer thinks that either private rapi j tal must furnish those facilities, or the I ! state must erect and own the eleva- . ; tors and warehouses. J Second: weighing and grading of; J agricultural products, and certification i thereof, t<> he done by impartial and I disinterested public inspectors (this is j already accomplished to some extent | by the federal licensing of weighers j and graders), to eliminate underpayj ing. overcharging, and unfair grading, ! ! and to facilitate the utilization of trie J I stored products as the basis of credit, j HM.i,./] ,.?rt -lintv nf fTPflit Sufficient ' I to enable the marketing of products I in an orderly manner. j Fourth: rhe Department of Asrricu!- i ; tnre should collect, tabulate, sumsnaj ri/c. :ii!<l regularly and frequently pub- j lisli and distribute to the fanners. full information fr<*m all the markets of the world, so that they shall be as well itifnmipd ,if rlioir sellinir nosition as ; buyers now are of their buying posi- ; tion. Fifth: freedom to Integrate the business of agriculture by means of con- ; sol Minted selling agencirs. co-ordinat-} ing and co-operating in such way as to ; put the fanner on an equal footing! with the large buyers of his products, and with commercial relations in other ' industries. When a business requires specialized talent, it has to buy it. So will the farmers; and perhaps the best, way for them to get it would bp to utilize some flm iiro?0nt m:?r'j?n??rv nf tho l:irfr est est iblished acencies d<-n]iriir in I farm products. of course, if lie wishes, j the farmer may so further and enjrafje in flnur-millintr and other manufactures j of food products. In my opinio!!. 1 however, he would he wise to step short of that. Pubp> interest may be opposed t" all jrrear integrations: hut. in justice, should !hey he forbidden ro (lie fanner and permitted to others? ; Tiie corporate form of association can- j not now be wholly adapted to his objects and conditions. The looser co- ; - .v fni.m nif\i*i? iro? i rtv?? 11 \* ! I IUWH ^vhviuh.I | suitable. Therefore, lie wishes to be j I free, if iie finds it desirable and feasible, to resort to co-operation with bis i fellows and neighbors, without run- ' ning afoul of the law. To urge that the fanners should have the sanie !rb- j ertv to consolidate and co-ordinate i their peculiar economic functions. } which ? ther industries in their fields | enjoy, is riot, liowever, to concede that : j any business integration should have ! legislative sane lion to exercise monop- : olistic power. The American people i are as {irmly opposed to industrial as to political autocracy, whether at- ! tempted by rural or by urban industry. ! For lack of united effort i!v farmers j as a whole are s'iil marketing their i crops by antiquated methods, or by ru> ! methods :^t all. hut thoy are surrounded j by a business world that has been : mo '"mixed to the last minute and is ! tirelessly striving for efficiency. This j I oifieiency is due in !:ir<re measure to ! j big business. to united business, to in- j j tegrated business. The farmers now ! I seek the benefits o$ such largeness, un- j j ion and integration. Tbe American farmer is a modern of : ; the moderns in the use of labor saving j machinery, arid he has nude vast , | strides in recent years In scientific j i tillage and efficient farm management, j j bur as a busings* in contact witli oilier ' j bUsines-t's ajxircult arc i< a "one hnr< - i j shay" It. competition with liiirlx power , j aatoiuoMli-s. The American farmer is J ' the irreatest and most intractable ??:' | J individii:;!i^ts. While industrial pro- ; i dacJi :: an! all phases of the huge ' , nuM't ia! nieeh.inNni ami ir-; myriad ac- I i hav^ artie;:iated and .-o-uiili- i ! n::lc(l themselves ail the \Vf| V ; ! nat- ; nral raw liiait'n.'ils t" retail sai?".5. rJn* I iMisincs?: o: a^ricni'uro- has <>r jt> imic*"; t1?" >im' Minn fashion of r!i" Stack- j iv<X"l*; <*f ihf Jii'st pa"t ft* ;ln> ninr- f i tcenili ceiii uj, ulien tic fanner was i ??! "?.>>!) i<f TTifr- r jjuwan": ?*fT.?rt?*. \Vt. ?!s fity peoj'k4, si-e Iri and spK'ijlu lively manipulated pri?v?jf siMiil;:-**. waste. scarcity, r!ie rr.sults ?f delVrlive distrilr.uion of farm prml nets. MUMiJti it. not ocvur to us mat we have ;i common iii 1 erost witli the fanner iri his attempts to :ittain a iIpjrroc df efficiency in <ir*tribntion corresponding to iiis cflicieney in u<rtion? I >o not ili?> recent fluctuations in the M;iy wheat option. apparently w; t ..i; * <i rn norma] iniera'uon ?u \ supply arii! demand, offer a timely j proof of t!:o nre l of r?-no such stahil- | iziriir a.^oncy :><; the grain growers have in conlemplation ? It is contended that, if their proP' .?< '! organi/.at'ons 1>? perfected and operated. rhe farmers will have In their hands an instrument that will be capable of dangerous abuse. We are told that it will 1-e possible to pervert It to arbitrary and oppressive pricsfixing from its legitimate use of ordering :ind stabilizing the flow < ? farm products to the market, to the mutual benefit of producer and consumer. I have no apprehensions on this point. In the first place, a lot so or^'.inidation, such as any union of farmers I?.v 1 . Ai*f <->m . 11 . . f I . A r*. \ ft vlt I jiiu>t in* cii m->if r<inimc :v? trarily and promptly controlled as a jrreat corporation. The one is a Jumberin;: democracy and rii?? other an !o autocracy. In the second pbwv. witli all possible power of organization, rlie farm&rs carn??t succeed to any irreat extent, or for any considerable length of time, in fixing prices. The ureat law of supply and demand works in various and surprising ways, to the undoing of the best laid plans that sitternpt to foil it. In the third place. their power will avail the farmers nothing if it be abused. In our tim*1 and country power is of value to its possessor only so Ion? as It is not abused. It is fair t<? say that I have seen no si^ns in responsible quarters of a disposition to dictate prices. There seems, on ti e contrary, to be a commonly beneficial purpose to realize a stability tliat will giv-> an orderly and abundant flow of farm products Jo the consumer and ensure reasonable and dependable returns to the producer. In view of the supreme importance to the national well-being of a prosperous and contented agricultural population, we should be prepared to go t. I.>?wr IMV in oocictinrr Hlt? fornmrc Tft a iwti,;, ?Kit? ill aodsmn^ 'jet an equitable share of the wealth they produce, through the inauguration of reforms that will procure a continuous and increasing stream of farm products. They are f;ir from getting a fair share now. Considering his capital and the long hours of labor put in by the average farmer :ind his family, he is remunerated less than any other occupational class, with the possible exception of tcachers. religions and lay. Though we know that the present general distress of the farmers is exceptional anil is linked with the inevitable economic readjustment following the war, it must be remembered that, although representing one-third of the industrial product and half the total population of the ruti'-n, the rural communities ordinori'v Pitmv hut m fifth to a nur.rter of the net annual national gain. Notwithstanding the taste of prosperity that rhe fanners had during the war, there is today a lower standard of living among (lie r?>tton farmers of the South than in any <>ther pursuit in the country. In conclusion, it seems to me that the farmers are chiefly striving for a generally heneii'-in! integration <>f their busings, of the same kind find character that other business enjoys. TC It should bo found < n examination that the attainment of this end requires methods different from those whieh other activities have followed for the s:tme purpose should we not sympathetically consider the plea for the right to co-operate, if only from our own enlightened self interest:, in oh' -1 * -1 - - u ... . c taining an aounuant aim sirauv nun ui farm products? In examining the agricultural situa tinn with a view to its improvement, we shall he most helpful if we maintain a detached and judicial vja\v?pniirt. remembering that existing wrongs may he chiefly an accident of unsymmetrlcal economic growth instead of a creation of malevolent design and conspiracy. We Americans, are prone, as Professor David Friday well srvs in n!s admirable bo>k. "Profits. W -ges and Prices," to seek a "criminal intent beliind every difficult and undesiruble economic situation." 1 can positively assert from my contact with men of large affairs, including bankers, tiiat, as a whole, they are endeavoring to fulfill as they see them the obligations that go with i heir power. Preoccupied with the grave problems and heavy tasks of their own immediate affairs. they have not turned tneir mouunmii personal attention or their constructive abilities to the defirienr-ies of a.irricultural business nrjrani/fation. Agriculture, it may h* said, suffers from thc?;r preoccupation and neirlect rather than from any purpi^i-iui i-ajihwuiuxi; by them. They ouirht now t<? in tc respond to the farmtys* difficulties, which they must realize p- their own. On fho other hand, m.T onfacis with the farmers have filled niewilh respect for Jiem?for their sanity, their patience, their balance. Within the last year. and particularly at a meeting called by the Kansas State Hoard of Agrioulrure and at another called by the Committee <>f Seventeen, I have met many of the leaders of the new vompnf nud I testifv in all <s!ii<vrify that they are ondeavorin:: to <!o:il willi their problems, not as promoters of a narrow class interest, not :t* exploiters <?f the hapless e.tnsnmer, nut ::s meiviless monopolists. hut as liouost meis bent fOt the improvement (.f the ( ( mmon weal. We cuii a11-1 inu*r meet sucu mea ?no ru-!* n raiisf half way. Their husir"-.-^ is oi:r business?the nation's hUSillOSS. . j ii? in j n iiw l,|im w self sui'ici.'Ut ari<? ?Ii? 1 not i.'^u-rnl iij? n. or on re wry i::u< ii. \v! : ? i!u* < at vvorltl way Tlie r**^si 11 ;> ti>af ttie agricultural s:r<?;jp is almost .?> j aiu< h at a <lisa?lvn;.t:::;e in liralii:^ with other economic ^ri'.:;'s a> tin* j:iy er f the fminy pa.ces in l!>e li.nwis of sleek uri>an e..n!i'!<>n',e n:en. who sell ; him aerenvre !ri <.'eiitraf I";irk or the iijy h.fi 11. The lenders of [Iih farmers fJi??r??ujrlily wulersfnml il.'s. , | ;m?i iiit-y art* imim> mum... . > j I intf^'fjite tiu-ir iminstry so tint it " iI ! I be (?n an equal footing with other riesses. as :in p\*nni|?!p of Intention. ! Mje st.'rl imlijstrv. in which tin- rn< ?Si*i 1 is the Unite'] States ST.'e! Corpo: aih'Ti. j with its iron n:iru?s, its eo:il mines. ;tv | Jake ;::><] rail transportation. its ocean ! 1 . | vessels, its hy-;>roihict ? ??!<?* ovens. il- . I Mast fi:s;ria?-?*s. its open nn :iu?i ; j liessemer furnaces. its r? !Iii:mills. ii- j j rube mills am! other m.-tnufa procf^i's 11 1r are earned in 11::- hiuh csf decree of finished produeiion cum i ; :11iI?1?> with the trade it has '*.::11 up. All this is generally conced : " 1 to be t<> fiie advantage of the eon > : ier. Nor (1 os tlie steel corporation ; i nsiderately dump its products on j t! e market. On the contrary, ir so i i i | act* rhat it is frequently a stanitmns j I ii?. 1!i: i; i\ as is often the case with oth- . er I.ii"_r#x organizations. It is master of i its distribution as well as of its pro- i ?!t:otI- n. If prices are not satisfactory ! the products are held l?ack or produc- j lion is reduced or suspended. It is not ? compelled to ^end a year's work to the | market :it .hip time nnd take whatever! J it can get under such circumstances, j j It has one selling polfcy and its own | export department. Neither are the I grades :ituj qualities of steel determin- j ed ;it llic caprice of the l)iiyer, nor does the latter hold flie scales. In this single integration of tho steel corporation j >s represents! about 40 per cent of the [ ] steel production of America. The rest Is mostly in the hands of a few Iar^e I companies. In ordinary times the ] steel corporation, by example. stabilizes all steel prices. If this is permissible] (it is even desirable, because stable and lair prices are essential to solid and continued prosperity) why would It be wrong for the farmers to utilize central agencies that would have similar effects on agricultural products? Something like that is what they are aiming at. Some farmers favored by regional fOin;>::f!!!Pss and contiguity, such as the cirrus-.'- :ir-raisers of California, alrrr;dy l;.<ve found a way legaiiv to m. :ir 1 seil their products infe giv'!;. : : in accordance with seasonal and lo?aJ demand, thus improving their posi:ion and rendering the con * * ? - - suiner a rename service m fu>uiru quality, certain supply, and reasonable and relatively steady prices. They have not found it necessary to resort to any special privilege, or to claim nnv exemption under the anti-trust l/xfS^lntmn ,,f ttlfl Ot'l fjJ nPll!lti(in \V j I'll - \n w. nur removing: local control, ihoy have built up ;i very efficient marketing agency. The grain, cotton. and tobacco farmers, and the producers of hides and wool, because of their numbers and the vastness of their regions, and for other reasons, have found integration a more difficult task; though there are n<uv some thousands of fanner's co-operative elevators, warehouses, creameries, and other enterprises of one sort and another, with a turn-over of a hillim dollers a year. | They are giving the fanners business j experience and training, and, so far i as f!iev i:o. they meet the need of j honest weighing and fnir grading: hut I they do not meet the requirements of j rationally adjusted marketing in any i large :md fi:ndatnentai way. j The next step, which will bp a patI tern for other groups, is now being | prepared hy the grain-raisers t Si rough I the estah!is!i;nent <>f sales media which | sl::i!l handle trrain separately ?>r e??lj lectively, as tiie individual fanner may j elect. It is this step?the plan <>f tho Committee of Seventeen?which has ' created so much opposition and is j thought 1?y soiiip to be in conflict with the anti-trust laws. Though there Is | now before congress n measure dei signed to clear up duiln on this point, 1 the j: rain/producers jire not relying onfiny immunity from anti-trust legislation. They desire, and they are entitled. to co-ordinate their efforts just ? 1,.? o 1 afiru fin c i npcc in. j MS Cllfaunt no inv. ... i terests of the country have (lone. In I connection r,ie selling organizations the United Stuffs Grain Growers rnrorporated is drafting a srheme of financing instrumentalities niul auxil:i ary a^encks wliirh ary indispensable ; to tIif successful utilization <>f modern j !)iisiness methods. j It is essential that the fanners j rftould proceed cmdually with tUo.se { plans, and aim to r.void tiie ernfr of I scrapping the existing marketing rna| ohinery, which lias been so laboriously | built up by ! ng experience, before i they have a tried nnd_ proved substij tutn or supplementary mechanism, j They must be careful not to become j enmeshed in their own reforms and j lose the perspective of their place in j the national system. They must guard against fanatical (levonon to new doctrines, it ml should seek articulation with the general economic system rather than its reckless destruction as it relates to them. V To take a tolerau* nnr? sympathetic v'e\v of the farmers' strivings for herj ier <hiii!iS is n t to <rive a blanket I endorsement t?> nr?y specific plan, and j crill less to applaud the vagaries of *onie of their leaders and groups. Neither should we, on the other hand, allow the froth of hitter .imitation, false economies. aTid mistaken radicalism to roureal the facts of the farmers' disadvantages, and the practicabll;t.r r?t* eHminarinjr them l-y well-con measures. It m:iv l?e that the farwwrr. v.-iil not rTsow the business -o(""r ? and ( t'vpl ** < tfct> wise leaderI viiij) r.> .-Jirry fhrovsrti so:;nd plans: j?tii ' ;iu! -i^rblliiy docs nut justify the * i LESJNGTON JURY , 1 FAILS TO AGREE MISTRIAL IN CASE AGAINST m JOB C. SWYGERT Jtidfie Dismisses Jury After Fortytwo Hours' Attempt to Reach ] Verdict ' I J. \ i;?n. Jan. ?The jury in I tci.tr of J??') Swygert, charged I with murder for the killing of Dr. J. .'M C. Nicholson of Leesville. was dig- I charged at 11:05 this morning by j Judge Ernest Moore of Lancaster, and j a mistrial ordered. The jury had beer I oik -12 hoars. ,,,'W The i ase against Svvygert <vas called ] for trial last Thursday morning and - |S the taking- of testimony consumed two -j days. Both the defense and the prosecution presented quite a number of witness ;s. The testimony was com- ug pieted Saturday morning and argu- J ments by both sides consumed the rest 1 of the day, the case going to the jury at :40 Saturday morning. ^ Job C. Swygert was charged with murder for the killing of Dr. Nichol; son at Leesville on April 3 last year. The defense offered testimony to the effect that Dr. Nicholson threatened the life of Ml*. Swygert and had made I slanderous statements concerning | j Swygert's family, and that Mr. swy- ? gert, on this Sunday morning, shot .1 D:\ Nicholson because he thought his own life was in danger. Nothing was brought out at the trial to indicate that Dr. Nicholson was armed at the time of the shooiing. Dr. Nicholson was shot in the streets of Leesville and died that night in a hospital in Columbia. The trial of Swygert was attended with f-onsiderable interest, as both he and Dr. Nicholson were very promi- J ncnt in Lexington county, the court room being filled to overflowing during the entire trial. f Swygert is now out on bail, $6,000 being named -by Judge Moore, the same as before his trial. The state was represented in this hv Solicitor T. C Callison, Crouch & Ramage of Saluda and C. L. Blease of Columbia, while the defense was represented by Timmemian and Gra I ham of Lexington, E. L Asbill ,of Lees| ville, C. L. Shealy and Efird & Carroll , of Lexington. I The ease against Newt Kelly and Frank Goff was continued by Judge Moore this morning until the next fre-rm of court. The continuace was granted on the ground that J. B. Wincard, attorney for Goff, was ill and unable to attend court. Kelly and Goff are charged with murder in connection w.im me o.muig of David Shull in New Brookland over a year ago. and the case has been j continued from time to time on differ! ent grounds, once because it was al! leged that the 1921 grand jury had r.ct been properly sworn at the beginning of the tevm; once because attorneys for the defense had not sufficient ' time to prepare the case, and twice on the ground that attorneys could not be present. ! Judjre Moore conr.nueci me ease i/uday after attorneys for the defense assured him that they would not again ask continuance for the same reasons. 4 I A woman may be as old as she i looks, but she is seldom as young as | she paints. t. v ' -. .H5 * ; - | A Tonic ? i For Women w "I was hardly able to drag, I M Q was so weakened," writes Mrs. ^ JH V. F. Ray, of Easley, S. C. IX ' The doctortreated me for about rj W two months, still I didn't get raj ^ any better. I had a large fam- M ^ ^ iiy and felt I surely must do M j jX something to enable me to take 12 I f> care of my little ones. I had j PjK heard of i >- a a bi CTSftk. n n M I The Woman's Tonic | iTI "I decided to try it," con- HE tinues Mrs. Ray ... "I took J ^ eight bottles in all ... I regained my strength and have W j ^ had no more trouble with wo- M j XI manly weakness. 1 have ten UU | ^ children and am able to do all K Yj my housework and a lot out- nr VX3 *?nnrc I m?i ettra rvnm? i w | uuuu i VCUJ AUtv ri ! ^ mend Cardui." W W Take Cardui today.*. It nay W V be just what yoil need. ^ At all druggists. gj i 'viK ql !<y%. ! " J .r':~- j